By Matt Fotia
With crowds back the local football scene was back firing at all cylinders on the weekend, and the returning onlookers were treated to another classic round of Eastern Football Netball League action.
Take a closer look at the fallout in this weeks In + Under.
1. Alexander the Great
Vermont’s Alex Greenwood has been one of the Eagles best performers in 2021 and on Saturday he rose to the occasion once again, handling the increased pressure – due to Lachlan Johns’ injury – and lead his side to a hard fought victory over Blackburn in less than desirable conditions.
Greenwood is a home grown Vermont junior, who at 27 years old is just entering his prime footballing years, and given his build up to the peak it’s going to be one hell of a ride for the Vermont faithful.
After a successful time at Eastern Ranges, Greenwood spent time with VFL outfits Williamstown and Footscray, featuring regularly across both the – now defunct – Development League and the senior sides whilst appearing for Vermont sporadically. Since the start of 2018 he’s frequented Vermont more often, coinciding with their back to back premierships.
Greenwood played 29 games over the 2018-2019 period, booting 11 goals and featuring in their star-studded best just six times. In 2021 however, with a few big names out the door at Vermont for a variety of reasons, Greenwood has stepped up to the plate, playing all seven games and appearing in the best players on all but one occasion.
The left footer is averaging 23.9 disposals – 8.3 contested – at a disposal efficiency of 70% in 2021, as well as collecting 5.1 clearances, 3.9 inside 50s and 3.3 tackles a game.
Since the covid induced break the reigning premiers have been dealt a tough hand, facing South Croydon and Blackburn on their home deck, and Greenwood has taken it personally, with the unassuming midfielder collecting 33 touches against the Dogs before having 23 and 8 clearances against Blackburn.vDisposalsContested DisposalsDisposal EfficiencyClearancesInside 50’sTacklesSouth Croydon331160663Blackburn23856853
Greenwood goes about his work quietly, possess a strong aerobic capacity and spatial awareness, is a strong kick and crucially is a good decision maker.
He’ll be key to the Eagles future success.
2. Battle with Belo
Another home grown player whose is about to enter his prime of is East Ringwood’s James Belo who, like Greenwood, hasn’t quite received the praise he deserves thus far in 2021.
The explosive mid-forward has been impacting games for the second placed Roos all year and was back at it on Saturday, booting four goals in a best on ground performance in their 16 point win over Wantirna South, in an end to end shootout.
Saturday’s efforts bring Belo’s 2021 totals to 19 goals and five times in best (TIB) from nine games, well on track to pass his 2019 output, where the East Ringwood dynamo kicked 20 goals and had 10 TIB in a lowly ranked side.
He returned to the club full time in 2019 after playing 11 games at VFL outfit Coburg in 2018, where he went after three strong years in the Roos senior side as they bravely fought relegation. In 2017 he starred with 13 TIB from 18 games, at just 22 years old.
The now 26 year old can impact the game both at the stoppages as a powerful midfielder, but is at his most effective inside forward 50, with his attributes making him incredibly hard to match up on.
And his best is yet to come.
3. Do or Die
Boronia can’t afford any more slip-ups in 2021, with the Hawks 31 point loss to Heathmont on Saturday moving them two games and 43% behind the fourth placed Jets, after South Belgrave overran The Basin up the mountain to create the buffer.
The Hawks conceded 12 shots (2.10) to three in the first quarter, with the Jets eventually hitting the scoreboard 16 more times across the afternoon on their way to a comfortable win.
They’ve been hit hard by injuries, but have struggled to find a way to inject some real pace into their game in 2021 and it’s showed on the scoreboard.
Boronia have scored 100 less points than the fourth ranked offence – The Basin – in 2021 and have conceded 74 more points than Heathmont.
They’ve always been a team that has shared the load down forward, but even they would admit they’re struggling to find consistent avenues to goal. Jarryd Rutherford is their leading man in 2021 with 10 majors – the 16th best total in the division – and he hasn’t pulled on the jumper since the two week lockdown.
It makes the equation simple for Matt Clark and his men now.
Their run home gives them another four opportunities to knock off one of the current top four, something you’d suggest they’ll have to do twice if they’re to feature in September.Boronia’s Run HomeThe BasinAwayTemplestoweHomeRingwoodAwayKnoxHomeMulgraveAwaySouth BelgraveHomeHeathmontAwayKnoxAway
If anyone can do it, it’s Clarky and his crew.
4. Ridiculous Rams
East Burwood have enjoyed their fortnight back on the park and have shot into third spot on the Division Three ladder after a convincing 38 point win over Donvale, 12.12(84) to 6.10(46), with a seven goal to one second quarter enough to secure the four points for the Rams.
Lewis Neate found the goals once again, backing up his six last weekend with three this time out bringing his season tally to 13, adding another dimension to the Rams forward of centre.
Recruit Kyle Grenda enjoyed another day out, booting three goals on his way to being named second best on ground. The ex Upwey-Tecoma star has become a regular goal kicker since moving to East Burwood, having booted 13 majors in 2021 – including goals in all but one game – and has appeared in the best on four occasions.
He’s combining well with inside bull Matt Mariani, who has been in a purple patch since their bye in Round Four, appearing in the best in each game and kicking four goals. The Rams midfielder is no stranger to dominating a division, having won his third league medal back in 2019, and on his day is almost impossible to keep tabs on, with his bulky frame hard to contain around the coalface.Mariani FormGoalsBestWaverley Blues1BOGFerntree Gully–2ndWarrandyte13rdWhitehorse Pioneers2BOGDonvale–BOG
But in 2021 he’s played second fiddle, with Jason Kennedy the man to watch out at Ramland. Kennedy has a 100% TIB record, getting his name in the paper on all eight occasions so far this season, playing a key role in the Rams finals push.
Speaking of that push, the Rams played seventh placed Glen Waverley this weekend before they have another weekend off. A win here would keep them safe in third spot with a 6-3 record (66% win ratio) and a strong percentage – a nice platform to have before the final surge home.
5. Cattery Clause
Silvan took it up to the undefeated Coldstream on Saturday, going down by just 28 points on their home deck. The performance was a big improvement on their effort back in Round Three and was comfortably the closest anyone has come to knocking off the Cougars in 2021, showcasing the effect playing at home has on the Cats.
Silvan have grabbed their best win of the year at home back in Round One when they knocked off Forest Hill and crucially for Trent Martin’s men they play their two biggest games of the year on their home ground, facing Chirnside Park – in a virtual semi-final – and Surrey Park at the Cattery during the backend of the season.
The Cats also tackle Nunawading, Kilsyth and Croydon North MLOC (twice) in their run home meaning their clash with Forest Hill is only game where they’ll go in as big outsiders.
If they can make the Cattery a fortress for eight weeks, finals football should return to Silvan.
