While all the attention was on Dane Swan and Westmeadows, it was Tullamarine that walked away with the four points in Essendon District Football League division 1 at the weekend.
Swan’s return to his junior club created plenty of buzz around the traps and drew a crowd at Willowbrook Reserve.
But Tullamarine kept a cool head and came away with a 15.15 (105)-10.5 (65).
Demons coach David Connell said he was proud with how the playing group handled the situation and the hype around the ground.
“I’ve been in Sydney all week and flew down at 10pm last night, so it was easy for me,” he said.
“The group was really good and I think the focus today was on trying to stay in our own little bubble and focus on all the internal stuff.
“We got out of here [the ground] half hour before the game and went across to another ground and tried to have some of our own time away from the hype of everything else.
“The boys were fantastic and that was probably the most pleasing thing for today.”
Connell said Tullamarine had several plans in place for Swan and he was happy with how they curved his influence on the game.
“I just said to them we back our 22 and forget about names and what they’ve done and play your role.
“I don’t think he [Swan] had a big influence on the game.”
Ryan Pretty starred up forward for the Demons kicking seven goals, while Anthony Prestia kicked four goals.
The two, who joined the Demons in the off season, were named the side’s best two players on Saturday.
Connell said the club had been keen to get both players to come across.
“I rang Ryan a week after I got the job … he was one of the big ones I wanted to get.
“Prestia was a guy we identified to replace a guy like a Jack Sims or Marcus Smith.
“Prestia was pretty good last week. We gave him some feedback on some parts of his game and he was really looking forward today to rectify those things. I had him best-on.”
Connell said there were a few nerves heading into Saturday and he was relieved after the game.
The Demons have the bye this week and will take the opportunity to assess their season after achieving their first goal of going 2-0.
Connell said there were several players pushing for spots in the senior team and he predicted the group would get stronger.
In other results, Craigieburn got a second straight win to start the division 1 season.
Greenvale remains undefeated in premier division, while Roxburgh Park lost to East Sunbury in division 2.
