Tara Murray
There was a mixture of emotions on Saturday as Westmeadows broke through for its first win of the Essendon District Football League division 1 season.
With a new coach and new playing group it has taken a while for the Tigers to settle into the season.
On Saturday, the Tigers were able to show their nerve in the second half to come from behind against Keilor Park to win, 13.9 (87)-11.10 (76).
For Tigers coach Ash Flavel it was a pretty good feeling to get his first win as coach under his belt.
“It feels really good,” he said. “Seeing the smiles on the faces of the players, it’s a reward for all the hard work.
“Not just the players, but for us coaches the whole club. It was a fantastic way to end the day.”
The day was a special one for the Tigers with Ryan Capron and Jarrod Peterson playing their 300th games.
Flavel said the group had been keen to win for the pair.
“Our two captains Ryan and Jarrod… They are the most loyal blokes at Westy,” he said.
“They stuck by me when a lot left for various reasons. It was a special day for them.”
Once the game got underway, it was the Tigers that got off to the good start and led by 27 points at the main break.
The Devils, who have won three games this season, started to come in the second half. Flavel knew they had work to for it.
“It was to and fro for the first bit of the game,” he said.
“The third quarter is usually our worst quarter for the year and they came out and kicked a couple of goals.
“We were able to come back in the last 10-15 minutes of the third quarter.
“The way the boys rallied in the last quarter and responded and got confidence, I’m really proud.”
Ethan Councillor kicked three goals for the Tigers, while three others kicked two goals apiece.
It was a 16-year-old who was best on ground according to Flavel.
Kieran Gallagher is a young fellow out of the 16s,” he said. “He’s in the Cannons under-18 program and we’re blessed to have had him the last few weeks with the Cannons not playing.”
Ruck Finbar Delbridge and Capron were the other stand outs in what was a really good team performance.
The win moves the Tigers ahead of Glenroy on the table. With Moonee Valley getting its first win of the season, the bottom three teams are all equal on points.
Flavel knows how important it is to start getting a few more wins on the board, with two teams to be relegated at the end of the season.
“It’s an even competition this year, outside West Coburg, which is the standout for me.
“I was speaking with [Keilor Park’s] Robbie Castello and he was saying he thinks you’ll need five or six wins to avoid relegation.
“Our draw gets easier. We play a lot of the side’s around us, it’s must win games in the next three to four weeks.”
The Tigers this week face Craigieburn, which lost to West Coburg on Saturday.
In other results, Tullamarne was upset by Moonee Valley, while Roxburgh Park beat Glenroy.
