The Northern Football League has cast aside the Essendon District Football League to take out Game 2 of the Metro Championships at Visy Park.
In the 3 vs 4 clash, the EDFL never seriously threatened and ultimately fell 37-points short of a well-drilled NFL side.
Former Carlton forward Cameron Cloke and prolific ball winner Jesse Donaldson each finished with three goals to lead the way on the scoreboard for the NFL.
Man mountain Patrick Fitzgerald and live-wire Billy Barden chimed in with two each, with Barden’s special from the boundary putting the result beyond doubt midway through the final term.
But it was a settled back six led by Trent Barbero, Brad Leggett and Shane Tennant that proved the difference, keeping dynamic duo Dean Galea and Patrick Rose quiet.
The pair bagged two goals each and threatened to break the game open at times but failed to make the most of their opportunities.
NFL captain Ryan Jackson was adjudged best-afield by the umpires, while ruckman Matthew Dennis outpointed EDFL big man Andrew Browne in an absorbing ruck dual.
Midfielders Jonathon Morris and Nat Caruso never stopped trying for the EDFL and won plenty of admirers for their work in the clinches.
Costly turnovers had the EDFL on the back foot early, enabling the boys from the North to hit the scoreboard with relative ease.
With the ball movement electric from both leagues, an arm-wrestle loomed.
But it was the NFL who made the most of their chances after quarter time to take control of the game.
With the last two goals of the first half and the first three of the third, the NFL sprinted to a game-defining six-goal lead.
While the EDFL’s will was never broken, their inability to kick multiple goals in a row ultimately saw the men in red and black succumb to their close neighbours.
The NFL will have the chance to play off for the title of Melbourne’s best league in next year’s 1 vs 2 play-off
NFL Best: R Jackson, M Dennis, T Barbero, G Connelly, C Cloke, J Donaldson
NFL Goals: C Cloke, J Donaldson 3, B Barden, P Fitzgerald 2, G Moorcroft, T Rogers, N Lynch 1
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