Strathmore secures vital win against Avondale Heights

The top-four of the EDFL Premier Division remains within touching distance for Strathmore after it enjoyed a 41-point win on Saturday.

Strathmore coach Matthew Horne was pleased with his players. Picture: Ian Currie

The top-four of the EDFL Premier Division remains within touching distance for Strathmore after it enjoyed a 41-point win on Saturday.

The Mores won every quarter of their encounter against Avondale Heights to surge to fifth spot on the ladder with a 2-3 record, winning 13.15 (93) to 8.4 (52).

Coach Matthew Horne said a desperate defensive effort during a tight first quarter was pivotal to the result.

“They (the Heights) had a fair few more inside 50s in the first quarter,” he said.

“I think we defended well and from quarter-time onwards we controlled the game and played probably our most consistent game of the year.

“I was really happy with the performance, which needed to come after a disappointing finish to the Pascoe Vale game.”

The coach said the win was brought about by “a really good training standard” getting its reward.

“We have been fairly consistent throughout the season without getting the results,” he said.

Horne lauded ruckman Andrew Vavra, who led the way for Mores, named the team’s best for the third time in five matches.

“He is nearly the in-form ruckman of the competition,” the mentor said.

“He jumped all over their ruck.

“I have been really happy with his output and start to the season.”

The coach also praised stand-in captain Xavier Allison, a local player who has come up through the junior program.

Horne said Allison was “clearly the best player on the ground” in the first half, while Liam Cavanagh left this stamp on the game and Thomas Drake impressed in his first senior game for the club since crossing from Hillside.

Xavier Allison did an excellent job as Strathmore’s stand-in captain. Picture: Ian Currie

James Saville and Joseph Drake were dropped to the reserves on form for under 19 player Will Jury and the returning Daniel Mighell, while Sean Callander made his senior debut after Andrew Horne missed through suspension.

Strathmore next takes on Maribyrnong Park and is eager to square the win-loss ledger.

“We are a really young group, so we are big on that young division of the team driving the standard at training,” Horne said.

“If we are consistent on the track, we are more likely to get consistent results.”

Hamish Murphy, Ciaran Sheehan and Donnacadh Cleary were the Heights’ best, while Sean Bolger booted three goals.

The other Premier Division fixture during the split round saw Aberfeldie maintain its unbeaten start thanks to a blistering third quarter when it kicked nine goals on the way to a 14.13 (97) to 4.10 (34) defeat of Essendon Doutta Stars.

Co-coach Luke Blackwell, Joel Madden (three goals) and Kyle Reimers led the way for Abers, while the Stars’ best were Kyle Hardingham, Bruno Laguda and Jordan Schroder.

MORE: ‘IT WAS A FARCE’: COACH FUMES OVER SCOREBOARD HOWLER

COBURG DISTRICTS STAR INJURED IN WIN

Elsewhere, East Keilor suffered its first loss of the Division 1 season after an inaccurate first half cost it dearly.

The Cougars had 14 scoring shots to nine by half-time against Westmeadows, but trailed by 15 points.

They were then blown away in the third quarter before losing 16.8 (104) to 8.14 (62), with Jordan Madden, Vincent Madafferi and Luke Vraca the team’s best. Dion Hill kicked three goals. The team remains atop the ladder.

In Division 2, Moonee Valley moved up to third spot on the ladder after a come-from-behind win.

The Fog trailed Coburg Districts by 17 points at the opening change, but went on to kick another 16 goals to eight and prevail 18.13 (121) to 13.11 (89).

Braden Padmore and Jordan Faba kicked four goals apiece, while Michael Bourke, James Saragias and Cory McGrath impressed.