EDFL 2018: Essendon Doutta Stars scores drought-breaking Premier Division win over West Coburg

ESSENDON Doutta Stars snapped a 12-match losing run and added intrigue to the race to avoid relegation in EDFL Premier Division with a 33-point victory over West Coburg on Saturday.

Marcus Claverisi (centre) launches Essendon Doutta Stars forward on Saturday. Picture: James Ross.

ESSENDON Doutta Stars snapped a 12-match losing run and added intrigue to the race to avoid relegation in Essendon District Football League Premier Division with a 33-point victory over West Coburg on Saturday.

The Stars’ form line has improved in recent weeks and they were rewarded with a 10.15 (75) to 6.6 (42) win at Nipper Jordan Oval.

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While the success gave the 10th-ranked side reason to smile for the first time this season, it could also prove decisive towards their bid to remain in the top flight.

After the Stars were largely uncompetitive earlier in the campaign, the relegation outcome appeared a fait accompli.

Abdi Fitaax (Right) of West Coburg battles for possession. Picture: James Ross.

But they are now just one game behind West Coburg, which has lost its past eight matches since knocking off the cellar-dwellers in Round 5.

An encouraging month of form, which included tight losses against Greenvale (four points), Glenroy (six points) and Keilor (16 points), left the home team in the unfamiliar position of favourite before the weekend’s clash.

And the Stars justified the faith, establishing a 28-point lead at the main break before completing the job with aplomb.

“When you’re 0-12, I suppose you’re not overly confident,” vice president Dean Solomon said.

“But the boys have got belief in themselves and actually played really well.

“The last three or four weeks, they’ve been very competitive and just a bit unlucky they haven’t picked up another win along the way.

“It’s all just starting to come together.”

Charles Parry (left) shrugs off a tackle on Saturday. Picture: James Ross.

Jordan Angus, Charles Lill and Karl Brown were named the best for the winners, while Brodie Meyers contributed two majors.

“I guess if you get the ball first, you can dictate the play and the other mob have got to chase you then,” Solomon said.

“First to the ball, looking after your teammates with the shepherding and the one percenters makes it easier.”

Solomon said he was pleased for the likes of captain Jordan Rogers and Jordan Schroder, who have been models of consistency in tough circumstances this season.

Charles Lill has a shot at goal for Essendon Doutta Stars. Picture: James Ross.

“They haven’t given up, any of those guys, and have listened to what they’ve been told and tried to implement it,” he said.

The Stars will next tackle eighth-placed Avondale Heights in a winnable fixture before rounding out their campaign with assignments against flag contenders Aberfeldie, Pascoe Vale, Strathmore and Greenvale.

Solomon said the future of coach Dean Wallis, who led the club to the 2015 Division 1 premiership, would be discussed in coming weeks.

“We’ll sit down and have a yak with him and we’ll go from there,” he said.