After an up and down start to the Essendon District Football League division 2 season, Roxburgh Park used the recent bye to reassess its position and what it stands for.
The Magpies went into the weekend’s match against Hadfield focused and hoping to set the tone for the rest of their season.
Magpies coach Michael Farrelly said the playing group responded to what had been asked of them.
He said the bye had come at the perfect time as they tried to knock a few things on the head early-on.
“We knew Hadfield had been struggling,” Farrelly said.
“Internally, we thought it was our chance to show what we stand for. There was a big emphasise on that.
“Some guys had been inconsistent and some had poor discipline. We did challenge them [the players].”
Farrelly was happy with what he saw from the playing group – they had no trouble accounting for Hadfield.
It was a strong four quarter performance from the Magpies, winning 25.15 (165)-3.7 (25).
Farrelly said they entered the game with a focus on the first quarter and making sure they got off to a good start.
The Magpies kicked seven goals to one in the opener.
“We played the way we wanted to in the first quarter,” Farrelly said.
“We’ve been slow starters and it’s been about how hard we’ve been working and the work rate.”
Luke Capuano was the X-factor for the Magpies, kicking eight goals. But he wasn’t alone, the Magpies had plenty of goalkickers. Key forwards Tumay Hamza and Osama Saad kicked seven goals between them, while all-up, nine players got on the scoreboard.
Jamie Grant was named the Magpies’ best in the win, with ruckman Ferras Merhi also having a good game against his former side.
The focus for the Magpies now is to continue their form into their match with Burnside Heights. Both sides are 2-2 and have had a bye.
The Bears are coming off their best win since entering the competition, defeating Coburg Districts.
“Straight after the game we spoke about how we had a good win and Burnside also had a good win,” Farrelly said. “The good sides can win, but it’s the really good sides that can win consistent games they are expected to win.
“It’s about backing it up.”
Moonee Valley won the other division 2 game on Saturday, handing East Sunbury its first loss of the season.
In division 1, Tullamarine won a thriller against Craigieburn. Both sides entered the game undefeated, and it was a last quarter comeback that sealed the win for the Demons.
The Demons kicked six goals to none in the final quarter to turn a 39-point deficit into a three-point lead, winning 13.16 (94)-14.7 (91).
Jacana and Westmeadows both had big losses to Airport West and Hillside, respectively.
Greenvale had a bye in premier division.
