By Tara Murray
Roxburgh Park was one quarter short of achieving the ultimate success in the Essendon District Football League division 2 grand final on Saturday.
After sitting on top of the ladder all season, the Magpies struggled with injuries through the finals and reached the decider with only a one-point win over Coburg Districts.
And although they were in the game against East Keilor until three-quarter time at Windy Hill, they were made to pay for errors in the last quarter and the Cougars kicked away to win 13.8 (86) to 8.10 (58)
Despite missing a number of players, including league-leading goalkicker Matthew Mickelson, the Magpies started the better of the two sides with three quick goals.
Then the Cougars got on the scoreboard with two goals through 50 metre penalties.
That seemed to settle them and only one point separated the teams at half-time.
Both teams played scrappy footy in the third quarter, with defence standing strong at both ends of the ground.
But injuries were starting to hurt the Magpies.
Nathan Mander, who was dangerous in the first half, didn’t return after half-time, while James Grant was one of several players struggling with injuries.
There were no goals for the first 15 minutes of the third quarter before the Magpies finally kicked one.
The Cougars responded with two of their own and led by eight points at three-quarter time.
The Cougars opened the final quarter with four quick goals, and although the Magpies never gave up they were unable to reduce the margin.
Magpies coach Paul Derrick said his team gave everything it could.
“There were little errors in the last quarter and they were hard to come back from,” he said.
“Full credit to East Keilor. But we never laid down and it’s the first time we’ve got to this day [grand final day]. We’ll be back.”
Derrick said injuries didn’t help the Magpies’ cause.
“We had a few other injuries, which have been issues for a few weeks, that reappeared,” he said.
“I’m proud of the team. They never let us down and never stopped trying.”
For more pictures from the match, go to www.northern.starweekly.com.au.
