Roxburgh Park’s strong third-quarter defensive effort was instrumental in the Magpies victory against Keilor Park in Essendon District Football League division 2.
The Magpies fired early in the second and fourth quarters when they were kicking with the wind, but it was the third quarter that proved to be the difference between the sides.
Magpies coach Paul Derrick said that was when his side made the most of its chances.
While the Magpies kicked only two goals for the quarter, playing into the wind, they restricted Keilor Park to one.
“When we played good we played attacking footy and pushed hard,” Derrick said.
“We got out to a bit of a lead in the second quarter before they kicked four goals in five minutes. We shouldn’t have stopped running.
“We played a lot better in the third quarter and that set up the win.”
Derrick said Matt Walker, Harley Short and Jamie Grant put in full-game performances while others were good in patches.
After making the grand final last season, the Magpies have stuck with a similar line-up this season.
“We got a couple of players back to the club to make it about four or five players coming into the side,” Derrick said. “Matthew Mickleson [division 2 leading goal kicker last season] will miss due to having a knee reconstruction – he is someone who is hard to replace.
“Nathan Mander, who only played one game last season, is back, while Tim Blacker missed the finals and will provide a target up forward.”
Derrick said the experience of last year would benefit his side.
“Last year, we went in with an average of 10 games played each and now everyone has 25 to 30 games under their belts,” he said.
“We were runners-up, the reserves played in the preliminary final and the under-18.5s were runners up.
“If we focus on playing our football we are good enough to get back to where we were last season.”
Also in division 2 matches, Jacana was smashed by Hadfield.
The Hawks got the jump on the Jaguars in the opening quarter by kicking six goals to one and extended the lead in every quarter to win 24.16 (160) to 8.11 (59).
