Russell Robertson inclusion unable to spur Maribyrnong Park to victory in EDFL clash with Keilor

FORMER Melbourne high-flyer Russell Robertson put in a good performance but his inclusion was not enough to see Maribyrnong Park to victory in the Essendon District Football League on Saturday.

06/04/2008 SPORT: Geelong v Melbourne at Skilled Stadium. Russell Robertson spills a mark.

THREE goals from former Melbourne high-flyer Russell Robertson was not enough to get Maribyrnong Park over the line in its clash with Keilor on Saturday.

The Lions suffered their fifth loss of the season in the Essendon District Football League Premier Division Round 7 match as they went down by 16 points at home, 14.14 (98) to 16.18 (114).

The home side had led the contest by two points at the final change but was not able to hang on, the defeat Maribyrnong Park’s third by 25 points or less this season.

Taking advantage of a bye in the Yarra Valley Mountain District Football League where he is playing for Monbulk this season, Robertson joined good mate and Maribyrnong Park coach Brodie Holland on the field in a one-off appearance for the Lions.

The day did not all go to plan, Holland forced to see out the game from the bench after having his foot stepped on in the opening 10 minutes.

However, Robertson was a solid performer for the home side, taking some strong grabs and hitting the scoreboard with three majors.

“He took a couple of good grabs and kicked a few goals so he was good,” Maribyrnong Park president Stuart Donelly said.

“He wanted to play with Brodie and three of our Port Melbourne guys that we’d had all year were unavailable. So given we don’t really have great depth of forwards in the reserves, it was a good opportunity.”

Donelly said while another close loss was tough to take, the side had not dropped its heads on the back of the 2-5 start to the season, short lapses in games its major problem.

“We’ve been highly competitive,” he said.

“There’s probably just been 10 to 15 minutes in games where the opposition has kicked a few.

“We’re very young, we’re probably undersized from a height point of view. But our biggest losing margin is six goals. It’s a red-hot competition this year.”