Westmeadows negotiated both Hadfield and a tricky wind to secure a fourth win of the season in division 1 of the Essendon District Football League on Saturday.
The Tigers kicked with the breeze in the opening quarter and took full advantage with seven goals to one.
Then, more importantly, they outscored the Hawks seven goals to four in the second quarter – kicking against the wind.
It was the same story in the second half as the Tigers went on to win 24.8 (152)-8.10 (58).
Tigers coach Dave Connell said the win was set up at the defensive end.
“It was a really tricky wind, a four or five goal breeze,” he said.
“We probably set up the win by outscoring them both times when we were kicking against the wind.”
Connell said his backline had been strong every round, with stability a key.
“The backline has been terrific this year and has been unchanged since round 1,” Connell said.
“We’ve been pretty consistent and had pretty much the same group for the last 18 months.
“Matthew Bullock came across from Airport West in premier division and we’ve added Aaron Evans from under-18s.
“He played one game with us last season. We always thought he’d have the potential to play a majority of seniors this year.”
At the other end of the ground, the Tigers have a new-look forward line which has made them the second highest-scoring team in the division, after Craigieburn.
“Jordan Foster and Dylan Debritt have been big ins for us,” Connell said.
“Dylan hasn’t really put too much pressure on the scoreboard but has helped structurally.
“Having Matthew Bullock has freed up Daniel Willcocks to play forward. He’s our best and fairest winner and normally plays half back or in the middle.
“It’s the first year under me we’ve tried him forward. He kicked seven goals yesterday.”
The flexibility within the side is flowing through to the lower grades, with the Tigers unbeaten in the reserves.
The Tigers face Taylors Lakes this weekend, before meeting Tullamarine and Craigieburn in a crucial fortnight for the club’s ladder position.
Connell said he was happy to take the 4-1 start to the season.
“I think if someone had said we’d be 4-1 after five matches we’d have taken it,” he said.
“But we were disappointed with the one loss and it brought us down to earth.
“Hopefully we’ll get the job done against Taylors. Then we’ll look at the two trying weeks we have after that.”
