VAFA Premier: Caulfield Grammarians rout Old Trinity

Tall forwards Brett Eddy, Julian Dobosz and Isaac Morrisby were among the goals as Caulfield Grammarians finished with a bang.

Brett Eddy kicked six goals for Caulfield Grammarians. Pic: CGFC

Bang.

A 12-goal last quarter on Saturday propelled Caulfield Grammarians to its first win of the VAFA Premier season; more, it gave the club its first win in the top section of amateur football since 1987.

Promoted after their outstanding 2019 Premier B flag, the Simon Williams-coached Fields had opened the season with losses to Old Melburnians, Uni Blues and Old Brighton.

But they routed Old Trinity 26. 10 (166) to 12.10 (82).

Six goals to the good at three-quarter time, Caulfield Grammarians splashed out with 12 goals to four in the final quarter to turn it into a thumping win.

Mark and Joe McClelland after CG’s victory.

Heralded recruit Brett Eddy booted six goals and Julian Dobosz kicked four.

And Isaac Morrisby slotted four in the final term, underlining his ability to present a third tall threat to opposition teams.

Williams called him a “massive talent’’.

Nick Baltas did not hit the scoreboard. But he did knock up getting possessions.

“The boys have been really good. Everyone stuck together, which is fantastic,’’ Williams said.

“We’ve had good numbers on the track and we’ve stripped it right back in terms of how we want to play and what we want to look like, and just trained it.

“Things clicked on Saturday but I didn’t think we were that far away.

“We were in most games. We just couldn’t sustain it a couple of times and copped a few lessons along the way in terms of work rate and hardness.’’

He said the step from Premier B to Premier was “big’’.

“Each week brings a challenge,’’ he said.

“We had OMs to start with and they’ve got VFL players and (Sam) Dunell played, and then we had Uni Blues and they had something like eight former AFL players and then we came up against Old Brighton, who are seasoned,’’ he said.

“It’s not so much the pace, it’s just that you don’t get the ball back if you give it away, whereas in B grade you’d get it back sometimes, just through holding up down back. That’s the biggest thing for me.’’

Caulfield Grammarians named in its best Joseph McClelland, whose father, Mark, had played in the club’s last Premier victory in 1987.

McClelland is a determined defender and regarded as a fine clubman.

His family has made a large contribution to the Fields.

Former AFL player Jonathan O’Rourke was also an excellent performer, his use of the ball pin-sharp.

Williams said the experienced Eddy, who joined the club after two excellent seasons with Vermont in the Eastern league, had been outstanding with his leadership, on and off the field.

Meanwhile former VFL dasher Nathan Page returned from three weeks in the NT, played in the reserves and kicked five goals.

He’s likely to come into the CG team to host Old Xaverians this week.

Williams believes his team can challenge Xavs.

“A lot of it is confidence,’’ he said. “I think now the monkey’s off the back they’ll play with a bit of freedom and have a bit of belief and think things can work.’’