EDFL 2019: Airport West scores crucial win over Glenroy

Airport West scored its second win of the EDFL Premier Division season on Saturday, leaving it equal on points with Avondale Heights with five rounds remaining. The pair will square off in Round 17.

Airport West caoch Geoff Maddern says there is plenty of work ahead for his team.

Airport West lost its opening seven games in a brutal re-introduction to EDFL Premier Division to leave it precariously placed in the top flight.

Last year’s Division 1 premier has responded by winning two of its past six matches and, while the Eagles remain on the bottom of the ladder, it is clear the race to avoid relegation is not over yet.

Airport West scored a crucial 11-point victory over Glenroy on Saturday, leaving it equal on points with Avondale Heights with five rounds remaining.

While plenty can change before the end of the home-and-away season, the pair will square off in a pivotal encounter at Canning Reserve in Round 17, which could decide which club preserves its Premier Division status.

The Heights (66.22 per cent) hold a narrow percentage advantage over the Eagles (64.39), while the Roys are six points clear in eighth position.

“Ultimately we are still relegated from this position, so we’ve got to keep going,” pragmatic Airport West coach Geoff Maddern said.

“There’s not much of the season to go and we’ve got to find a way.”

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After Glenroy led by three points at the first break, Airport West piled on five goals to two in the second term to take an 18-point advantage into half-time.

While the home side outscored the Eagles in the second half, they did enough to hold on for a crucial 12.12 (84) to 11.7 (73) victory.

“Glenroy got a couple of goals in front of us and often when that’s happened this season we haven’t been able to answer,” Maddern said.

“But the boys found a way. To be in front at half-time, having been three goals down, was a pretty good effort.

“The second quarter was definitely a big part of it.”

Lachlan Di Sebastiano, Ethan McShanag, Ben Nelson and big man Anthony Daw led the way for the winners.

Damandeep Aujla contributed three goals to take his season tally to 27.

Airport West has pushed Maribyrnong Park and Essendon Doutta Stars in recent weeks, while a slow start against reigning premier Aberfeldie proved costly.

“In most games we’ve been pretty good for big patches of the game and a quarter has let us down here or there,” Maddern said.

The Eagles will meet contenders Keilor, Greenvale and Strathmore in the next three weeks before their clash with the Heights.

“We were competitive for periods against Keilor first time — they just had a little bit too much class,” Maddern said.

“Greenvale really embarrassed us last time, so we’ll be looking to atone for that.

“We were really competitive against Strathmore at Strathmore, so if we get things right on the day we think we can be competitive in all three games.”

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