GREENVALE
Current Affiliation: Essendon District Football League (EDFL) since 1996
Formed: 1990 as a junior club; senior teams first fielded in 1996
Home Ground: Greenvale Recreation Reserve
Colours: Black and green
Senior EDFL Premierships: A Grade - 2004, 2007 (2 total); B Grade - 2002 (1 total)
League Best and Fairest Awards: B Grade (W.Hutchison Medal) - A.Garbutt 2001 (1 total)
Greenvale has only been in operation as a senior club for a little over a decade, but already it has established itself as a force to be reckoned with in the powerful Essendon District Football League. Its first senior premiership was achieved in B Grade in 2002, thanks to a 5 goal grand final defeat of Tullamarine. Two years later the club's first A Grade flag arrived courtesy of a 17.18 (120) to 10.17 (77) win over Oak Park in the season's decisive game. Greenvale had finished at the head of the ladder prior to the finals, and did so again in 2005 before reaching a second successive premiership play-off after an impressive 15.17 (107) to 10.7 (67) 2nd semi final demolition of Keilor. The grand final turned into a nightmare, however, as rank outsiders Strathmore stole both the show and the flag with a hard earned and well deserved 10 point win. The 2006 season saw a slight drop in performance level, and Greenvale's premiership aspirations were ended by Doutta Stars on preliminary final day.
With former AFL players in Steve MacPherson and Steve Paxman as senior coach and captain respectively Greenvale has plenty of experience to draw on, and it was no surprise to see them emerge as pace setters in 2007. What was a surprise, however, was the extent of their dominance, for after topping the ladder with 100% success from 18 home and away matches, they swept to an unbeaten premiership on the strength of wins over Strathmore by 57 points in the 2nd semi final and 3 goals in the grand final. The reserves also went top, making it a perfect year all round. Although fortunes can change very rapidly in football, the likelihood is that Greenvale will again be the team to beat in season 2008.
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