By Tara Murray
Westmeadows overcame West Coburg and the rain to come away with an important win in Essendon District Football League division 1.
In horrible conditions, which saw play halted for a period, the Tigers were able to put the score on the board early to have a 10.8 (68)-7.8 (50) win.
Tigers coach Grant Smith said the conditions got worse as the game went on.
He said it made their first quarter, when they led by 34 points, even more important.
“To have 10 scoring shots in the first quarter, it set the game up for us,” he said.
“We sort of managed the next three quarters, as we could see the weather that was coming over.
“It was pretty ordinary. There was a point in the third quarter that we stopped the game as no one could see anything.”
Smith said the attitude of the playing group had been upbeat during the week, after losing to Tullamarine the week before.
“It was a different attitude,” he said.
“It was a really good week on the track. West Coburg are a really good side and they played the game out.”
Omar Saad kicked three goals up forward, to close the gap on leading goalkicker Dion Hill to three.
Smith said young Jackson Williams was good, while Robbie Castello continued his good season.
He said Daniel Willcocks had a good game in his return to the side, while Dean Clare was handy playing in a different position, up on the wing. Westmeadows sit fourth with seven wins, a game clear of fifth-placed Hillside.
PHOTO GALLERY: Westmeadows vs West Coburg
In each of the Tigers’ three losses, they have been in the game. Smith said they were happy with where they were sitting.
“We reckon that we are thereabouts, but we still have a lot of work to do.
“Any of the top four or five teams can take it out.”
The Tigers have another challenge this week, facing third placed Craigieburn.
Smith said they would likely have a few players come back into the side in the next few weeks.
The weekend was a big one for the Tigers as they raised money for the Breast Cancer Network. Several clubs in the league, including the Tigers, wore some pink and had functions across the weekend.
The Tigers women’s side, who got behind the cause, defeated Craigieburn 16.14 (110)-0.0 (0).
In other men’s division 1 matches, Tullamarine defeated Craigieburn in a top four battle. The Demons won 12.15 (87)-7.11 (53).
Roxburgh Park put in a strong performance against East Keilor, but it wasn’t enough losing 12.10 (82)-8.10 (58).
In premier division, Greenvale had the weekend off in the first week of the split round.
MORE EDFL NEWS
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/sunbury-kangaroos-in-solid-win/
