It’s been a case of close but not close enough for Jacana in the first five rounds of the Essendon District Football League season.
Each of the Jaguars’ five matches in Division 2 have been decided by 10 points or fewer, with only one of those a victory.
The four losses have been by a combined 26 points.
The Jaguars suffered their biggest loss of the season on Saturday, with a last-quarter comeback against Roxburgh Park falling short by 10 points.
Jaguars coach Aaron Collins has been left to rue what might have been.
“The start of the season hasn’t been kind to us . . . we’ve had a terrible start,” he said.
“We’ve had injuries every week and each week there seem to be more.
“We’ve probably had eight senior players missing games since Round 1, which has made things difficult.”
Collins said the high number of changes each week meant his players were struggling to find cohesion.
“We’ve done really well hanging in during games,” he said.
“We’re not really connecting like we did last year and not gelling together. We’ve put some plans into place and hope they will have some impact.
“Knowing we are in games is what is keeping us going. Once we get a full side back we think we’ll be right.”
For more pictures of Roxburgh Park vs Jacana, CLICK HERE
On Saturday, the Jaguars struggled in the first half before taking it to the Magpies after the main break.
Six goals to none in the last quarter saw them get back into the game, but they ran out of time and went down 11.15 (81)10.11 (71).
“We were pretty happy after half-time,” Collins said.
“We gave it to them at half-time. The attitude changed in the last quarter and we worked hard and it was disappointing we couldn’t get there.
“The time clock wasn’t on our side. We thought there would have been a few more minutes in the quarter since we kicked six goals and play was stopped for an ambulance.”
Collins said Rhys Brown was taken to hospital with severe concussion.
Five players, including Brown, each kicked two goals for the Jaguars and Daniel Arnold was named their best.
Luke Capuano kicked six for the Magpies.
The loss leaves the Jaguars seventh on the ladder and they are only two games outside the top four despite the poor start.
“We’re excited by how close it is,” Collins said. “It’s helping us stay in it.
“It’s a good competition and you don’t know who will be in the top four at the end of the season.
“We were hoping to be right up the top and not having to try to sneak in this year.
“We’re still confident we’ll be right in the mix.”
Meanwhile in other results, Greenvale lost its first match of the Premier division season.
Keilor took the points in a match between two unbeaten sides, winning 20.10 (130)19.9 (123).
Trent Shinners was best for the Jets with five.
In division 1, Craigieburn and Tullamarine recorded massive wins over Northern Saints and Oak Park respectively.
The Cloke brothers combined for 15 goals in the Eagles’ 31.17 (203)9.5 (59) win.
And a 48-0 first quarter set up Tullamarine’s 14.13 (97)3.16 (34) win over Oak Park.
