Another big week of Essendon District Football League football is done and dusted and didn't we see some cracking contests!
Let's start with the best news story of the weekend - Friday night Under lights at the Magpies Nest as our ladies took on Aberfeldie Sports Club in a virtual elimination final. It was a tight contest early as expected with both teams fighting for a finals spot, with Abers holding a 1 points advantage at the first break. The second quarter was where our girls did all the damage, adding 2.2 while keeping the visitors scoreless to hold a handy 13 point lead as we entered half time. It was a goal apiece in the third quarter meaning we maintained our 13 point advantage as we entered the last term. We kicked 1 behind while keeping Abers scoreless again which meant we had sealed a finals berth! We ran out 14 point winners, 4.3-27 to 2.1-13, with Shelby again proving a haldful up forward with 2 goals while Catherine and Cookie added the other goals. Best on the night were Waino, Danielle, Jess, Karina, Jamie and Shelby. A great reward for the effort all season ladies. To think that last season we finished second bottom and lost to the bottom side in the final round, put in a completely new leadership team and so many new faces after losing a lot of girls in the off season to be in this position is a testament to you all and the coaching Troy has put in this year. Enjoy it and have a great final round as you gear up for finals!
The Senior action on Saturday saw us travel to Taylors Lakes Football Club and it was a windy, ugly day out at Lionheart! The Ressies were up against it from the outset, kicking into the breeze but the Lions let us off the hook slightly with a wasteful 2.7 for the quarter, while we were held scoreless. Still, a 19 point lead did not look that large given the wind advantage. In the second quarter we added 2.2 but unfortunately allow the Lakers to move the ball too easily and they added 4 goals straight to have the margin at 29 points as we entered half time. After half time the Lions laid siege to our goal as they booted 7.5 to no score and at the final change the margin had blown out to 75 points. All the boys could do from here was show some heart and resilience and we got that as they outscored the Lions 4.6 to 3.1 to end up losing 16.13-109 to 6.9-45. Mazin kicked 4 while Buzza added the other two goals. In the best were Nath (Macca), the retunring Kaj, Nick H and Nath B (both playing up from the 17s), Marc and Anth.
The senior game bought with it plenty of highlights, and if you didn't get a chance to watch the live stream, do yourselves a favour and check out the extraordinary last quarter of this one at
http://essendondfl.com.au/broadcast-replay-taylors-lakes-v-…
Our boys got off to the perfect start, kicked two goals into a 5 goal breeze within the first few minutes of the game, one to Cappa from a free then the other a smart snap from a ground ball from Jack. The hosts slowly worked into the contest and with the breeze behind them hot the front just before quarter time. However, with the scoreline reading 3.6-25 to 2.0-12 and with the breeze behind us in the second term we looked a real chance of leading at half time. However, Taylors Lakes bounced out of the blocks and played great running football into the breeze and by the 15 minutes mark lead 40-14. Some great defensive work by Barney with a spoil at half back, followed by a chain of handballs saw the ball come back to Barney who hit Capa up on the lead and the defender had no option but to hold on and Cappa kicked truly from the resultant free. When JC kicked truly after getting a holding the ball free for a great tackle on Tanner we'd managed to get the margin back to 20 points at half time - 6-11-47 to 4.3-27, a disappointing result with the breeze at our backs. After half time our focus was on restricting the scoring on the breeze and we made a good fist of it, limiting the hosts to 3.6 for the term however we never had a sniff of goal and added only the 1 behind for the term. Going into 3/4 time the message from Faz was just to go out there, give it everything and see where we ended up. Friesy had been sensational all day in the ruck but was moved forward to give another option and Barn was moved into the ruck and it nearly paid dividends! We peppered the goals for the first 5 minutes but kicked 2 on the full and 2 behinds before the Lions ran the ball the length of the ground and kicked truly to extend the margin even further. We got an instant reply from Macca following a centre clearance, then Bmac kicked a bomb from 50 metres out 12 minutes into the quarter to get the margin back to 35 points. 18 minutes in and Jay snapped a chaos ball into the forward line, Bmac pounced on the loose ball and snapped truly to get his second of the game (playing across half back mind you!) and suddenly it was 29 points the margin. 23 minutes into the quarter and JC was hit up by Ahmed and kicked straight to get us within 20 points. A few minutes later and Barn get the ball out of the ruck again, a chain of handballs finds Friesy in the pocket who snaps truly the we were within 13 points…..from 47 points down! From the following centre clearance, Jay copped a high hit and pumped the ball long inside 50 where Cappa was smart enough to sit out at the back of the pack, pick up the loose ball and snap truly. 26 minutes in and suddenly the margin was just 7 points. A behind for us then lead to a goal at the other end to the Lions 29 minutes in and it looked like 12 points would be the final margin. From the centre bounce, Ahmed got a huge clearance, pumped the ball inside 50 and the big ruckman Friesy was front and centre like a rover at the bottom of the pack, swung onto his left and booted another goal to get us within one straight kick again with 54 seconds left in the game. Our final flurry was too little too late and we fell agonizingly short of a 4th win of the season - 11.17-83 to 11.11-77. Cappa booted 3 while we got 2 from Friesy, Macca and Bmac and signles from Jack and JC. The young guns lead the way with Barn, Friesy and Bmac starring while also in the best were Jay, Serkan and Macca.
On Sunday morning our Under 9s travelled to Westmeadows Football Club to take on the Tigers and put in another terrific performance. The joy and enthusiasm the kids display every week is infectious and the parents love watching them every week as they go out there and give it everything. Well done 9s!
The Under 11's were the first team at home on Sunday against Greenvale Football Club and put in one heck of a display for their last home game of the year. Huss A. got us off to the perfect start, kicking a goal 30 seconds into the game followed by a second soon after to Raging Bull before Lucas snapped one out of the ruck to make it an 18 point lead at the break, 3.0-18 to no score. The Jets had the breeze in the second term but could not convert in front of goal, kicking 4 behinds to leave us leading by 14 points as we entered half time. In the third term 50 gamer Jack kicked a smart goal in the square before Billy added a great running goal to put us 30 points up at 3/4 time. The final term so us score the only goal into the breeze as a brilliant team goal, with passes from half back hitting targets until the skipper Cooper (who had been sick all week and sat on the bench until the second term) converted from the square for his first ever goal. We ended up running out winners by 33 points - 6.4-40 to 0.7-7. We had single goals from Huss A, Raging Bull, Lucas, Jack, Billy and Cooper while the best were Jack, Coda, River, Lucas, Cooper and Zane
The Under 13s followed up and it was a tough task against a very good Aberfeldie side. Abers used the breeze well in the first term and got off to the perfect start, kicking 4.3 to nothing and we were behind by 27 points at quarter time. Rob asked the boys for a big effort and we were able to halt the visitors scoring somewhat we weren't able add score of our own, kicking 1.1 to 2.2 and the margin was out to 34 points at half time. Abers again added 4 goals in the third term while we again failed to score and as we entered the last quarter we were 61 points down. The boys had pride on the line in the final quarter and played their best footy, kicking 3.2 to 2 goals. Final scores saw Abers win 12.10-82 to 4.3-27. Luke kicked 2 while Cody and Eggy kicked 1 each. In the best were Ehab, BJ, Zein, Ahmed, Zayn and Jesse.
The 17s followed the 13s game playing a determined Strathmore Football Club side. We got off to a great start kicking 3.1 to 3 straight in the first term and held a slender 1 point lead at quarter time. However at that point things went awry. The 'Mores booted 5.1 to no score in the second quarter and held a 30 point lead at half time. 2 goals each in the third quarter left us with a mountain to climb in the final term, down 32 points at 3/4 time. 4.5 to 0.2 put us to the sword in the final term and in the end the scoreboard read 5.5-35 to 14.10-94. Ramzy kicked 4 and Eyad (after playing seniors on Saturday) kicked the other goal. In the best were Nabil, James, Ramzy, Dogga, Eyad and Musa
The Youth Girls were the final game of the weekend, away against their Grand Final nemesis from last year in Hillside Football ClubThe home side got off to a good start butt kicked inaccurately which still have our girls a chance. At quarter time it was 2.5 to 1 straight. The Sharks straightened up in front of goal after quarter time and kicked 3.1 while keeping us scoreless to lead by 30 points at the main break. Our girls really dug in during the third quarter and held the sharks you just one behind while kicking 1.1 so the margin was 24 points as we came into the last quarter. Despite their best efforts the girls weren't able to get the win as Hillside added 2.5 to 1 goal and ran out winners by 35 points. Cookie, Hannah and Seda with a goal each while in the best were Em, Steph, Emma, Cookie, Angel and Seda.
Next week the seniors have a bye so the men get a quiet Saturday which means we can all get behind our women who have their final game of the regular season against fellow finalist Keilor Park Football Club.
On Sunday the Under 9s are at home to Hillside, the Under 11s face off against Airport West Football Club away, 13s travel to East Sunbury Football Club, the 17s are away to East Keilor FC while the Youthies are home to Burnside Heights Football Club.
The weeks wrap is bought to you by the Roxburgh Park Hotel. Situated in the heart of Roxburgh Park, you’ll love the ambience, sleek modern finish and contemporary furnishings which come together to create a great relaxed atmosphere. They also cater for business functions, casual drinks, special dinners and celebrations of all sizes and occasions. With a huge Bistro, TAB, Sports bar and pokies venue, there is everything you need in the one place. If you are looking for a great night out, look no further than the Roxburgh Park Hotel.
#roxystrong #onemagpie #unitedasone
