The Northern Football League was left to rue missed shots in front of goal after it fell short of becoming Melbourne’s number one metro football league on Saturday.
The NFL flew out of the blocks against the Victorian Amateur Football Association at the Vic Metro championships and found itself with a 20-point lead.
But come the second half, the side needed all that lead, and more, as the VAFA came from behind and never looked back, ultimately winning 7.7 (49) to 5.14 (44).
For the NFL, there were too many missed opportunities, with just seven points – no goals – kicked in the second half.
NFL coach Jason Heatley spoke of what might have been, had his side only been able to convert kicks into goals.
“We kicked 1.11 after quarter-time and they were all gettable shots,” Heatley said.
“We came out primed to start well and we did that. We just couldn’t keep it going late.
“Pay credit to the VAFA. Our boys had outstanding commitment and application; we just didn’t get the result,” Heatley said.
Meanwhile, Essendon District Football League stamped its authority over its southern rivals at the weekend.
The EDFL stamped its authority over the Southern Football League from the first quarter, going on to a 16.13 (109) to 4.4 (28) mauling.
EDFL coach Mick McGuane said the decision to go in with only one ruckman and an extra midfielder had paid dividends.
“It was hard early on,” he said.
“They were winning the inside ball and we were getting the outside ball.
“We knew once we got it into space, we could control the game.
“Our philosophy is picking blokes who can use their speed.
“Andrew Browne rucked for most of the game and was very influential at the stoppages,” McGuane said.
“He also went forward and kicked our first goal, and his second [half] efforts were massive.”
Browne was named best on ground, while Dean Galea kicked five goals for the EDFL.
McGuane said the players were keen on not making this a once-off win.
“Ash Arrowsmith said before the game ‘this is a chance to make this a five-year thing, not a once-off’,” McGuane said.
“There was immense buy-in from all of them.
“The key was that no one thought they were better than the others,” he said.
