Greensborough coach Mick Harford believes adopting a more positive approach with its ball movement has been a key reason behind his side’s positive start to the 2019 season.
The Boro sit atop the Meadows Greyhounds Division 1 ladder after three rounds following a blistering start to the new campaign.
With an average winning margin of 80 points from away victories at Hurstbridge and Montmorency, as well as a Good Friday home triumph against Lower Plenty, the Boro’s percentage of 243 perches them above fellow undefeated sides Heidelberg and Northcote Park.
Harford says his troops went into the season with a mindset to be more positive with their movement through the middle of the ground.
“This year we’re trying to score more heavily than last year,” Harford told NFNL.org.au.
“We’ve struggled over the last couple of years to kick enough goals at times.
“We went into the year trying to be a bit more positive with our exits in the middle.
“Our ability to hit the scoreboard has been really positive.”
Greensborough’s scoring power has been reflected across the opening three rounds, where it has averaged 135 points per game.
The Boro failed to score over 100 points for the first time in the weekend’s win at Montmorency. However, inaccuracy played a large part, with the Boro booting a wayward 13.21 (99) in the 31-point triumph at Montmorency Park.
A big story to come out of the Greensborough camp during the pre-season was the recruitment of former AFL player Tom Bell, as well as the addition of Ben Fennell, Jordan McIvor-Clark and Liam Read.
All have impressed Harford in the early stages of their Boro career.
“Bell’s been terrific, not just his ability on the field, but his leadership and work in the coaching side of it, particularly on the ground. He’s a really strong and positive personality on the ground,” Harford said.
“We’ve really enjoyed having him as part of the crew and I think he’ll get better and better.
“Ben Fennell was good on the weekend. He just adds another strength to that forward line to try and be a bit more positive on the scoreboard and take a little bit of pressure out of our defence.
“The ability for Liam to be able to go forward, take a mark and kick a goal just gives us another option to play our ruckman out of the goal square.”
Another key to Greensborough’s fast start to the new season has been the return of several key players who missed large chunks of 2018.
Charlie Molyneux, John Desmond and Zac McCubbin were all sidelined for significant periods last year but have made a profound impact in their return this season.
“We all knew Charlie was a high-quality player and we know he’s a terrific talent. He’s fit and playing really well,” Harford said.
“I love watching Charlie play because he’s just a genuine footballer.
“John Desmond has been fantastic. We always knew he had an enormous amount of talent. Seeing what he’s done this year has been terrific.
“I think our wingmen have been terrific this year. Zac McCubbin, Matt Haynes and Jordan McIvor-Clark have been fantastic for us.
Greensborough faces its third away trip of the season this weekend when it makes the trip to De Winton Park to take on struggling rival Macleod.
The Boro will be aiming to keep their unbeaten record intact, while the Roos are still searching for their first win following their worst start to a season since returning to the top flight in 2010.
Despite Macleod’s early-season struggles, Harford said he is still very wary of the high calibre within the Roos line-up, which has played off in the past four grand finals.
“It’s always a big game against Macleod. They’re a quality footy club and we know they’ve got absolute quality in that side,” he said.
“Obviously they’ve got a new coach, whether he’s got a new game style they’re getting in to, we know it takes time.
“Going down there, it’s never an easy place to win. We know we’re going to have to be at our best to beat them.
“The challenge for us is to go down there with the mindset that they’re still one of the best teams in the comp, no matter where they are on the ladder. That’ll be our message through the week.”
