Jacana was on a mission to take the scalp of a stronger team in the opening month of Essendon District Football League’s division 2 season … and it did just that on Saturday.
Facing last year’s grand finalist Roxburgh Park, the Jaguars made it three wins from four matches for their season’s start, with a 13-point win, 9.16 (70) to 8.9 (57).
Jaguars’ coach Aaron Collins said the result was exactly where he wanted to be after four rounds.
“We wanted to be 3-1. The aim was to knock off either Roxburgh Park or Hadfield. We underestimated Hadfield and lost that game.
“This game we really planned for and it came off. The team is starting to gel.”
In his first season as coach, Collins said the players are learning to believe in the game plan.
“For me it was about getting the trust of the boys,” he said. “It’s not an easy competition and there’s a lot of good sides.
“They [the boys] are starting to gel and understand how to play as a team.”
On Saturday, the margin was only 13 points but could have been a lot different if the Jaguars had kicked straight.
“There was a wind and we could have had 12 goals [in the first quarter], if we had kicked straight,” Collins said.
“In the second quarter, they were only able to kick one goal with the wind and we kicked two goals against it.
“Our defensive game lifted in that quarter.”
The Magpies came back at the Jaguars in the second half.
“It was a hard-fought win,” Collins said.
“I know they are a good side and thought they would run out the game really well. We held up well and got the win.”
Michael Evans, Paul Clooney, Beau Naim and Bryce Kimulitas were best for the Jaguars, while Matt Walker was the best for Magpies.
In a boost for the Jaguars, former AFL player Chris Johnson played his first game for the season.
“It’s a bonus having him play. It’s play-it-by-ear whether he plays due to work commitments,” Collins said.
Greenvale’s goal-scoring run has continued, with the Jets recording a second successive 100-point win in premier division. This time the Jets had a 27.18 (180) to 7.5 (47) win over Maribyrnong Park.
In division 1, Craigieburn, Westmeadows and Tullamarine all scored wins.
