Before the Essendon District Football League division 1 season, Westmeadows fancied itself as being in the same company as early favorites Craigieburn and Essendon Doutta Stars.
On Saturday, the Tigers finally got a chance to see where they sit going up against Doutta Stars, the first time they had faced one of the top two sides.
Westmeadows went into the game with 3-2 record after having a bye in the previous round.
Saturday’s game ended in a 9.15 (69) – 10.9 (69) draw.
Tigers coach Dave Connell said both teams were left to rue poor first-half kicking.
“At half-time we were down by 20 points,” he said.
“There was the danger they could have had a larger lead if they had kicked straight.
“The first half was very messy with the ball for us.
“If we tidied it up we knew we were still in the game. They were kicking goals from our turnovers.”
Connell said the kicking issues were addressed at half-time.
“We were panicking a bit,” he said. “We spoke about being more composed and looking after the ball.”
Scores were level at three-quarter time.
“We kicked the first goal of the last quarter and we were never down on the scoreboard after that,” Connell said.
“The two sides went goal for goal after that. We couldn’t get two in a row.
“We were up and had a set shot that missed, and then had a guy in the goal square alone … the Doutta Stars player just got his foot to the ball.”
Tamer Abdallah was best on ground for the Tigers.
Matt Sammut played his best game for the Tigers since coming across from Riddell in the off-season.
Connell said the defensive work of Nicholas Avery and Julian Ross in the second half – they restricted Doutta Star Shylo Smith to six possessions after he was dominant in the first half – was a key.
Connell said the side had been disappointed with its situation going into the bye.
“We saw ourselves in the same bracket as Doutta Stars and Craigieburn,” he said.
“We were sitting 3-2 without playing either side so we are a bit behind the eight-ball.
“It was an important game for us [against Doutta Stars].”
In a boost for the club, Connell has signed a deal to coach for a further three years.
“When I signed last year the club had five coaches in five years and I’d been at three clubs over four years,” he said. “Both parties wanted stability.”
