By: Joseph Arthur
VERMONT’s flying start to 2019 continued over the weekend, defeating Blackburn by 35 points away from home.
The Eagles handed Blackburn its first defeat of the season to become the lone undefeated side in the competition, now one game clear of the rest of the pack at the top of the Premier Division ladder.
The reigning premiers have responded perfectly to becoming the hunted team of the competition, receiving the opposition’s best effort week in and week out and are yet to drop the ball.
Vermont’s winning ways have come despite the club battling with significant injuries to key players and coach Harmit Singh heralded depth and “team defence” as the keys to his side’s resilience and perfect start.
“It’s pleasing to be 4-0 because it’s been a difficult period for us, the team hasn’t been overly settled,” Singh said.
“(On Saturday) we made five changes and we’ve had season-ending injuries to players like Christian Burgess, but the group is really resilient at the moment and playing some pretty good footy.
“Obviously (Saturday) was a massive test for our guys which I think we came through okay.
“There were a few areas of growth in how we wanted to defend and the boys really executed it well, even guys who are only 19 or 20, they came in and did it well.”
Team defence has been something that Singh has been particular on since his arrival at the club and with the best defensive rating in the EFL, it appears that things have clicked.
“It’s taken some time to get it (team defence) right, from year one to year three I’ve probably got that core group who have been there with me from the start and we’ve brought players into the mix that are getting it as well,” Singh said.
“There’s real clarity around what we want players to do and really that’s all we need, we don’t need players to go away from that.
“I think the key thing for all teams is to bring a level of pressure that hopefully allows the game to be played on your terms with how you set-up.”
More good news could be on the way for Vermont, with the return of ruckman Robbie Ross on the horizon.
After suffering a punctured lung against Doncaster in Round 2, Ross looked set for a long stint on the sidelines, but after only two weeks out the coach says he is nearing a return.
“He’s actually going really well, he’s medically cleared now to play but whether we bring him in straight away or just go an extra week is something we’ve got to decide,” Singh said.
“Robbie’s in a really good head-space and keen to get back on the park, he’s been training pretty much the whole time so yeah he’s not too far away.”
In the absence of Ross, Singh praised his youth stocks for coming in and filling the void to perfection, in particular Nick Minchin (pictured below) who did “95 per cent of the rucking” over the weekend and was named in the best.
“He’s (Robbie Ross) had a really good start to the season, so it’s been a bit of a loss but it’s given an opportunity to younger bloke Nick Minchin who I think has been terrific in the last two weeks,” Singh said.
“His (Nick Minchin) follow up is something really important for us.”
Vermont will look to keep the winning streak alive when it takes on Noble Park this weekend at home.