Roxburgh Park is hoping to end a disappointing Essendon District Football League division 2 season on a positive note.
The Magpies, who have played in two grand finals and a preliminary final in the past three years, are already out of contention to finish in the top four.
Magpies coach Travis McCarty said everyone in the club was disappointed with how the season panned out.
“We had a block of six weeks from round seven to round 13 when we had … six straight losses,” McCarty said.
“We had a terrible run of injuries and unavailablities and it de-railed our season.
“It has come as a bit of a shock. The club hasn’t been in that position for a number of years.”
One positive to come from the poor season has been the development of a number of younger players.
“We’ve blooded a number of under-19 players and two under-17 players,” McCarty said.
“It gives them exposure to senior football and it’s more experience for the next generation.”
While McCarty said the club was lamenting lost opportunities it was hoping to finish the season on the right note. Defeating Keilor Park on Saturday was a step in the right direction for that.
After a poor start the Magpies came from behind to win 9.13 (67)-6.3 (39).
Hayden Farrelly and Tumay Hamza kicked two goals each for the Magpies, with Kajanithen Gnanapragasam named the best in the win.
Adrian MacKinnon and Harley Short were also instrumental in the win.
McCarty said it was pleasing to see the playing group step up instead of letting the game go the way of Keilor Park.
“We had been three to four goals down,” he said. “We had to dig deep in the second half and even though guys were down, they were able to find a way to win.
“Regardless of ladder positions that was a gutsy win.”
It’s not all bad news this season for the Magpies with both the under-19s and reserves teams making finals.
The club has started planning for next season and is advertising coaching roles. McCarty told the club two weeks ago that he wouldn’t continue on in the senior coaching role.
“I’m undecided whether I’ll still coach, but I’d love to stay involved at Roxburgh Park.”
In other matches, Jacana continued on its way with a win against Burnside Heights.
The Jaguars led by 40 points at quarter-time and went on to win 15.14 (104)-10.8 (68).
Cameron Cloke kicked six goals for the winners, while Josh Covelli kicked seven goals for the Bears.
