An undermanned Roxburgh Park held strong against Coburg Districts to record a 36-point win in the season opener in division 2 of the Essendon District Football League on Saturday.
With only two players left on the bench from midway through the third quarter, the Magpies extended their lead at every break to win 12.3 (85) – 6.13 (49) at Lakeside Drive Reserve.
Nothing separated the two teams in the first half, as both sides were wasteful with the ball in a scrappy affair.
For Magpies coach Paul Derrick, being in the match at half-time was the first aim for his side.
“I said we had to make it the best we could early on and be with them at half-time to give ourselves a good chance of running over them,” he said.
“That’s our strength, our running game, and that’s the way it panned out.”
The Magpies led by five points at halftime but lost two key players to injury.
Ryan Micellaf suffered a cheek injury and was later taken to hospital by ambulance. Tim Blacker was stretchered from the ground with concussion.
“We lost a ruckman and our centre half-forward,” Derrick said.
“It was a good effort to score at all really as we were down to one tall and they were rotating the ruckmen.
“They went in their 50 as many times as we did.”
Derrick paid tribute to his back-line, which stood strong especially in the second half.
In the last quarter, Coburg controlled the play for most of the quarter but went goalless.
“I thought our back line was great all day,” Derrick said. “I think they won us the game. They were tough and fought all day.”
Ryan Kannegiesser, Adrian McKinnon and James Margarti were the best for the Magpies.
The Magpies started the previous two seasons as one of the favourites for the premiership but this season are expected to drop down the ladder.
But that doesn’t bother Derrick.
“When they talk you up you don’t listen to it,” he said.
“Now, for some reason, we’re one of the sides who can’t win it.
“But we have great self-belief in our system, we had three terrific wins across all the grades [on Saturday] and still have people to come into the sides.
“They’re really keen young blokes and I can’t think of any under-16s or under-18s who have missed training. They’re coming through and they all want to play seniors.”
In other division 2 matches, Jacana lost a thriller against East Keilor. After leading at every change, the Jaguars went down 13.11 (89) – 13.10 (88).
In premier division, Greenvale kicked away in the final quarter to record a massive win over Pascoe Vale.
Leading by 25 points at three-quarter-time, the Jets kicked nine goals to nil in the final quarter to get home 23.13 (151) 9.14 (68).
Trent Shinners kicked eight for the winners, with Fortunato Caruso best in his first game for the Jets.
In division one, Westmeadows smashed Northern Saints, the Tigers having a massive 49 scoring shots in the 23.26 (164) – 9.5 (59) win.
Craigieburn overcame a determined Oak Park to record a 16.12 (108) – 10.17 (77) win.
Jason Cloke kicked six for the Eagles in a best-on-ground performance, while recruit Glenn Robertson chipped in with five.
In the final match of the round, a fast-starting Tullamarine got the points against Glenroy under lights on Saturday evening.
The Demons Jumped out of the blocks with eight goals in the first quarter and went on win 16.18 (114) – 13.6 (84).
Colin Laurie kicked five for the Demons.
