Tullamarine has overcome wet and windy conditions and Westmeadows to claim its second win of the Essendon District Football League division 1 season.
Playing under lights, the Demons and Tigers had to battle rain and a strong wind all game.
Neither side could find the ascendency in the first half, with the Demons leading by 12 points at the break. A five goal to one third quarter opened the game up, with the Demons looking in control at the last break.
Despite a few nervous moments early in the last quarter, the Demons won 12.6 (78)-8.7 (55).
Demons coach Anthony Leydin said while they hadn’t expected the conditions, they were quickly able to adjust.
“A different style was required,” he said. “We put key focus areas in place and adapted pretty quickly.
“The scoreline didn’t reflect the closeness. We got away in the third quarter.
“We got nervous in the last quarter when they kicked a couple of early goals, but we stemmed the tide and they ran out of time.”
Jack Sims, Marcus Smith and Tim Barresi were the best Demons, who shared the goals around – five players kickED two goals each.
The win leaves the Demons as the only team with two wins from the opening two rounds.
Considering the number of off-season personnel changes for the club, it couldn’t have been a better start.
The Demons lost about 30 players from across their senior and reserves sides.
“We have brought in young kids who will get an opportunity,” Leydin said,
“In the space of the last three seasons we’re brought our average age down from 28 and a bit to 23 and a bit.
“We’ve got one of the younger lists, which is good considering we don’t have an under-18 (now under-19.5 side).
“We’re expecting more retirements in the next couple of years – with the points system, it’s the only way to go.”
The club has been working hard off field and now has four junior sides. For the first time in a number of years the Demons have an under-17 side and have introduced an under-9 side.
The Demons next match isn’t until April 22, with most EDFL clubs not playing over the Easter weekend.
While Leydin would have liked to have continued the good start to the season, the break has now come as a blessing in disguise.
Four players, including Russell Laurie and Jack Sims, suffered injuries against the Tigers.
“We’re still waiting for a clearer indication,” Leydin said of the injuries. “The week off will help a couple of them get right.”
In premier division, Greenvale came from behind to beat Strathmore 13.13 (91)-10.6 (66). Craigieburn suffered a 17.28 (130)-6.1 (37) loss to Pascoe Vale.
After a couple of weeks of drama, the Cameron Cloke situation at Jacana seems settled, with the key forward playing for the Jaguars on Saturday.
Cloke had signed a contract with the Jaguars before putting in a clearance to Hurstbridge and didn’t play round one for the Jaguars.
On Saturday, he was in the purple and gold, kicking seven goals as the Jaguars defeated Northern Saints 19.12 (126)-15.8 (98).
Roxburgh Park got its first win of the season, defeating Burnside Heights 22.15 (147)-10.6 (66).
