Greensborough have backed up their Good Friday triumph to remain undefeated in the 2023 Melbourne Greyhounds Division 1 season, claiming a solid 15-point victory over Montmorency at Greensborough War Memorial Park.
It was the Boro that set the tone defensively from the opening bounce, as they showcased their poise and consistent kicking when holding off a late push from the Magpies, on their way to a 9.13 (67) to 7.10 (52) win.
Boro skipper Jack Johnston led his side by example, hosting an intercept clinic in the defensive 50, making ways for players such as Zac Hart, who proved to be an energizer down the corridor.
Joseph Ayton-Delaney and Jamie Smith were a formidable duo in the centre circle, with the latter also kicking four majors up forward.
Montmorency’s two inclusions this week in Marcus Lentini and Liam Wale-Buxton made an immediate impact, with Wale-Buxton picking up where he left off last year with a strong display in the ruck.
Meanwhile most of the Magpies’ attack threats came from the likes of Jai Robinson and newcomer Ben Paterson around the ground.
It was the visitors that first had the scoreboard ticking, with an unchecked run-in snap at goal from Wale-Buxton creating an early lead.
The Boro defence quickly woke up after that major and were rewarded through a goal of their own to get things going.
Saade Ghazi’s men continued to win the possession game until it found the hands of ruck Jamie Smith, with his marking up forward paving the way for him to strike true on two set shots to stretch the lead to 14 points.
In response, the Magpies were quick to change the momentum in the second term, thanks to the likes of Brock Binion and Patrick Fitzgerald, whose goals reduced the lead back down to two points entering the main break.
Montmorency co-captain Sam Binion held an under-siege backline down with Joshua Mills to hold the Boro to a scoreless second quarter. Both men would be named in their side’s best for the afternoon.
But the Boro bounced back during the second half, with a quick handball from Jamie Smith to Harrison Andronaco pushing their lead back out to beyond a goal.
Mitch Honeychurch then connected with Jake Spencer on a goal that would give life to a fighting Magpie side, but that goal would be quickly taken back by another set shot conversion from Jamie Smith to give Greensborough a 10-point advantage.
Smith continued to electrfiy the crowd with an across the body snap between the big sticks for his fourth of the day, while a set shot from Jordan Smith took advantage of the Boro’s quick play of the ball to suddenly push the margin out to 22 points at three quarter time.
The final term started in similar fashion to how the third would end, with Jordan Smith striking true to give the Boro their biggest lead of the game at 27-points.
Montmorency showed that they still had fight left in them after goals from Fitzgerald and Paterson reduced the deficit back to 14 points.
However, a massive run from the centre square by Ethan Luke made way for a snap at goal by Andronaco, ensuring the Boro would finish the match victorious.
