EDFL scores: Strathmore defeats Avondale Heights by 52 points

The Mores have won their past seven games in EDFL Premier Division, but the competition’s two most powerful clubs await.

Strathmore star Luke Jarrad fires off a handball on Saturday. Picture: Hamish Blair

Ladder-leader Strathmore extended its winning run to seven games on Saturday with an emphatic victory over rival finals contender Avondale Heights.

The Mores have not lost since Good Friday and boast a 7-1 record in Essendon District Football League Premier Division.

But coach Matt Horne said his side was far from its best as club returned from an enforced break of almost a month, adding the 14.6 (90) to 5.8 (38) result was not an accurate reflection of the contest.

The visitors laid the foundations with a six-goal-to-one opening term and completed the job with a four-goal-to-one last quarter.

Strathmore’s Adam Iacobucci (right) celebrates a goal with Kyle Weightman on Saturday. Picture: Hamish Blair

“We didn’t execute overly well. I think that was partially due to how Avondale set up,” Horne said.

“They brought a great contest and were a hard team to move the ball against, so I don’t discount that, but I thought we were a little bit scrappy with both ball in hand and gave up a lot of free kicks.

“The end result probably flattered us a little bit. I think if you watch the game back, it was a bit tighter contest than what the scoreboard showed.”

The Heights have been the big improver in the EDFL’s top flight and entered the Round 8 fixture with a 5-2 record.

Despite the lopsided scoreline, Horne said the Mores “struggled to break them down”.

Liam Byrne gets a kick away for Avondale Heights. Picture: Hamish Blair

“I can understand why they’ve troubled a lot of teams and have a good record this year,” he said.

Key defender Liam Cavanagh continued his red-hot form to earn best-afield honours.

Cavanagh, who spent time on multiple opponents, has been named in Strathmore’s best two players in its past four games.

“He was really good. He goes to the opposition’s best (forward) generally and is playing a really good role for us,” Horne said.

“We gave up (five) goals, two of them were from free kicks, so as a unit we defended pretty well.”

Andrew Horne, Luke Jarrad and Nick Ingleton also starred in the backline, while Ben Holian impressed in the midfield.

Athan Tsialtas bagged four goals for the Mores. Picture: Hamish Blair

VFL-listed forward Athan Tsialtas booted four goals to take his season tally to 23 from six outings, while Kyle Weightman contributed three.

The Mores will now prepare to tackle powerhouses Aberfeldie and Keilor in a “massive” fortnight of fixtures.

The pair have contested the past two grand finals and occupy positions in the top three on the ladder, while Strathmore dropped preliminary finals to both clubs by single figure margins in 2018 and 2019.

“Our next two weeks are the two teams who have set the tone for a long time,” Matt Horne said.

“I haven’t beaten them as a coach and those two are probably still the best two teams in the comp, but we’re very confident in what we do.

“We’re really excited by the challenge and we’ll find out where we sit within 14 days.”