EDFL 2018: Tullamarine coach David Connell reflects on Division 1 grand final defeat
TULLAMARINE’S stunning revival meant little to coach David Connell in the aftermath of the Essendon District Football League Division 1 decider.
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TULLAMARINE’S stunning revival meant little to coach David Connell in the aftermath of Saturday’s Essendon District Football League Division 1 decider.
The Demons were 53 points down at the five-minute mark of the third quarter against Airport West before launching a remarkable fightback and piling on the next nine goals in 27 minutes to grab a six-point lead at the final change.
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The Eagles registered the only three majors of the final stanza to prevail by 13 points at Windy Hill, but Tullamarine can take a modicum of comfort from the fact its rally turned a one-sided contest into one of the greatest grand finals in memory.
“It doesn’t change the fact you’re still disappointed afterwards with losing it,” Connell said.
“But it probably reinforces how close we are and it reinforces how resilient this footy club is.
“Not many footy clubs would have done what we did in the third quarter after being eight goals down at halftime.”
Connell made several moves at the main break, swinging midfielder Anthony Prestia — who bagged three majors in the third term — and gun defender Russell Laurie forward.
Will Becker moved into the midfield and had a massive impact in the second half, while the inexperienced Tim Matson approached the task of curbing dynamic Airport West wingman and eventual David McWilliam Medal winner Bior Malual with aplomb.
“For a 17-year-old in his sixth game to do that when you’re eight goals down probably just shows with got a pretty special one in Timmy moving forward,” Connell said.
The grand final also marked the last game for club greats Laurie and Craig Steele.
“Not too often you get guys who play at the one footy club from nine or 10 years old all the way through,” Connell said.
“Russ is 35 I think and Craig is not overly old at 31, but there are not too many guys and it tends to happen at this footy club for some reason.”
Tullamarine has lost three grand finals in the past five years and, while it has fallen short of securing a spot in Premier Division, Connell said the club’s efforts deserved to be acknowledged.
David Scott, Jack Sims, Anthony Liberatore and Marcus Smith were among the departures in the off-season.
“I think a lot of people forget the amount of players that have left this footy club,” Connell said.
“From the 2014 grand final, seven players stayed at the footy club the year after that, so 15 players either retired or moved on, yet they were able to back up and go again in 2016.
“From 2016 to now, there’s 11 players different.
“Everyone talks about Tulla’s lack of juniors, lack of depth, yet this footy club keeps turning up. Twelve years in finals in a row, so it’s pretty remarkable when you think about it from that perspective.”
Connell will continue at the helm in 2019.
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