By Tara Murray
Roxburgh Park put its first win on the board in Essendon District Football League division 1.
After promising signs in two of their first three matches, the Magpies put it together for four quarters on Saturday against Oak Park.
The better all-round performance was enough to get the side across the line, winning 12.16 (88)-12.4 (76).
Magpies coach Michael Farrelly said they were thrilled to have finally gotten on the board.
“It was great, it was a fantastic day,” he said.
“We knew we were a chance, but we always think we have a chance.
“The boys were really good and it’s our first proper four quarter performance.”
Farrelly said the playing group had shown it had learnt from the mistakes of previous weeks.
He said those losses had taught them a lot and they had put that into play on Saturday.
They really needed to do that, with the side down by 17 points at the main break.
“At half-time I gave them a bake, one of the biggest of my career,” Farrelly said.
“We were dominating on the field and had all the play. We felt like we were putting in all the effort and hard work.
“We should have been three or four goals up, but they [Oak Park] kicked eight straight at one stage so they deserved to be in front.”
Posted by Roxburgh Park Football Club on Friday, 3 May 2019
Farrelly was thrilled with how the players responded in the second half, kicking eight goals to four to seal the win.
He said Ryan Micallef, who played in the ruck, was best on ground. He singled out Jay Barbera, Jack Elliott and Harley Short as being among the standouts.
Farrelly threw a few players in different positions, and he said each of them responded well.
Farrelly said the biggest thing is for the group to believe they it can compete with anyone.
“For us, everything has been about belief and nothing to do with footy,” he said.
“You back yourselves in when you believe and the confidence grows.
“Hopefully the guys are believing that we belong here. That they believe as individuals, in their teammates and the coaches and the club itself.”
“We don’t want to just win one game, we want to win four or five games.”
Roxburgh Park has a tough challenge this week, facing Craigieburn, which is coming off its first loss of the season.
The Eagles were beaten 13.11 (89)-13.9 (87) on Saturday, by Westmeadows.
Farrelly said they were under no illusions of the task ahead of them this week.
In other division 1 results, Tullamarine beat Taylors Lakes, 15.15 (105)-9.10 (64).
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www.starweekly.com.au/sports/westmeadows-tick-off-another-must-win/
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/east-sunbury-on-a-roll-with-a-big-win-over-keilor-park/
