Tara Murray
Tullamarine came home with the four points on Anzac Day but is sweating on some injuries to a number of key players in the Essendon District Football League division 1 competition.
The Demons, who were playing just their second game of the season, faced a Keilor Park side which was playing its fourth game and still searching for a win.
The game was decided in the first half, with the Demons kicking out for a 45 point lead at half time.
After the main break, it was six goals each, with the Demons getting the win, 18.11 (119)-11.3 (69).
Demons coach David Connell said it was a tale of two halves.
“We were pretty sharp in the first half and played the type of footy we want to play with probably this game over at half time,” he said.
“Then a short break and a fair bit of carnage… Had no bench after half time and after a short break, I think all players are pretty gassed.
“It got a little bit sloppy in the second half, but with no rotations and stuff like that it was just a matter of just getting through it in the end.”
The Demons lost Dom Micallef with a hamstring in the first five minutes and then Kirk Lang with suspected broken ribs and some internal damage.
Phil Smith will miss some games with concussion while there’s a potential shoulder injury to Brandon Marlow.
In the absence of some key players, Steve Vocale put out a best on ground performance.
“Stevie Vocale was unbelievable,” Connell said. “He led the midfield and we rotated him forward a little bit more in the second half.
“He had to go forward because of the bench situation but he impacted the game on the scoreboard as well, kicking four.
“Tim Matson was super down back all day outside of that, it was a pretty even contribution from the rest of them.”
The win was the Demons first of the season after a shock loss to Oak Park the week before.
Connell admits the late start to the season for his side compared to other sides had a bit of an impact.
The Demons had a bye in round one, while several teams in the division 1 competition played matches before the season kicked off for the majority of teams.
“Last week was a bit of a hiccup, you never obviously go into a game and just tick them off,” he said.
“Game last week that we definitely had expectations on and walking away with a win, probably set us on the backfoot a little bit, especially now with some injuries.
“Have to stick fat and fight through the next fortnight.”
The Demons face West Coburg and Hillside the next two weeks, in a couple of big challenges for the Demons.
“We’ll definitely get a gauge of where we are at and where we need to improve post the next couple of weeks,” Connell said.
In other results, Craigieburn beat St Albans, while Roxburgh Park lost to West Coburg.
