Tara Murray
Whittlesea keep racking up the wins, but there’s still plenty of work to be done in Northern Football League division 2.
The Eagles are undefeated eight rounds but were again tested on Saturday, this time against Diamond Creek in a top of the table clash.
The Eagles trailed at the first two breaks before leading by a goal heading into the final quarter.
Whittlesea was able to outscore the Creekers in the final quarter to seal a 12.15 (87)-11.6 (72) win.
Eagles coach Garry Ramsay said things were tracking along OK.
“There are definitely things that we need to work on,” he said. “It was a pleasing result and we’re happy to be winning.
“We played well. In some patches we were really good and there were some patches that were really bad as well.
“There’s areas that we need to work on.”
Harry Beattie and Jack Taylor kicked two goals each for the Eagles. Matthew Atta and Taidhg Bland were named their best.
Ramsay said they were starting to see a more even contribution across the side.
“Improvement is coming from the middle range,” he said. “Our good players are still playing well but we’re not relying on them as much as we were at the start.
“There’s been a more even spread. Lachlan Shinn-Mahony, Kane Johnson Harvey Hempenstall are playing well.
“Jack Taylor, who started the season playing reserves, is starting to play some good football.
“My door is being knocked on each week by players wanting to play senior football.”
The Eagles sit top after eight rounds, one game clear of Diamond Creek.
They are at home this week against Northcote Park before a bye the following week for the King’s Birthday weekend.
Ramsay said the bye will come at a good time.
“Hopefully we can get another win and have a bit of a rest the week after,” he said. “We’ll look to realign what our goals are and what needs to be done to keep improving.
“We’re having those bad patches and they are really bad and we are getting scored against.
“We need to be able to concentrate for longer and be more disciplined under pressure.”
Ramsay said things were going really well across the whole club.
In other results on Saturday, South Morang got a good win against Northcote Park, 17.12 (114)-14.5 (89).
Joshua D’Intinosante and Joshua Lansfield kicked five goals each for the Lions.
The Lions sit in third spot.
Thomastown got another win on the board despite inaccurate kicking, beating Panton Hill, 9.20 (74)-5.15 (45).
Lawrence Lo Piccolo was named the Bears best. The win moves the Bears to 4-4 and fifth on the ladder.
Laurimar fell just short of victory against St Mary’s, falling just short 10.11 (71)-10.10 (70).
Laurimar remains second bottom.
In division 1, Bundoora lost to Banyule, 11.14 (80)-11.12 (78).
