Greenvale’s poor start to the premiership defence continued on Saturday, the coach raising questions about fitness after the Jets went down by 23 points to Avondale Heights.
The premier division match at Canning Reserve ebbed and flowed all afternoon, with both sides getting on a roll and kicking numerous consecutive goals at some point.
PICTURE GALLERY: Greenvale v Avondale Heights
But it was the home side which defended better to take the points 18.9 (117) to 14.10 (94).
The result consigns Greenvale to a 0-2 start to the season.
Avondale Heights took the first chance to kick with a steady breeze and made the most of it by booting seven goals to one in the opening term as the home side dominated the clearances and ran in waves down the ground.
Josh Free was a dominant player for Avondale Heights early, with his bullocking work down the middle, the ball often ending in the hands of full forward Patrick Rose, who looked set for a big day from the start.
With the change of ends in the second term Greenvale roared back into the game, kicking goals from long range and opening up the forward line to draw within five points of the hosts by the long break.
But that was as close as it got for the rest of the game, Greenvale scoring just three points in the third as the Heights opened up another sizeable lead, this time 29 points, by the final change.
Kicking with the wind in the final quarter, Greenvale had its chance to run over the top of the home side, but quick goals to Josh Grabowski and Rose – who finished with eight – soon put the game out of reach.
A flurry of late goals to Greenvale softened the blow, but it was the home players who were singing the song at the final siren.
Greenvale coach Adam McPhee said his side was still adjusting to some new structures and needed to improve fitness to get its season back on track.
“There are still some teething issues and we have to change behaviours because there are still some old behaviours creeping in,” he said.
“Once we get it together it works and we showed that in the second term.
“And I think a few guys need to work on their fitness, that’s without doubt. Fitness is the number one thing for me and if you’re not fit you can’t play.”
