EDFL 2021: Jacana responds to 333-point Round 1 loss to Oak Park

Four years after ex-AFL star Chris Johnson featured in its only EDFL senior premiership, Jacana is facing a tough rebuild. But there is hope for the Jags.

Jacana and Oak Park lock horns on Saturday. Picture: Jamie Morey

The local football club on the receiving end of a 333-point Round 1 hammering is preaching patience and maintaining faith the pain of its rebuild will ultimately pay dividends.

Jacana made its return to the Essendon District Football League’s senior ranks on Saturday, contesting its first official match since May, 2019.

But the young Jags were sorely outclassed by premiership contender Oak Park in the Division 2 fixture, losing 54.15 (339) to 1.0 (6).

While the fact Jacana took the field was a triumph after a player exodus forced it into recess two years ago, the result raised concerns about the club’s hopes of seeing out the season.

But first-year playing coach Glenn McIntyre pointed to the fact the seasoned Kangaroos were one of the flag favourites in the third tier after being relegated from Division 1.

Jacana coach Glenn McIntyre Picture: Jamie Morey

“Oak Park have just got guns across all lines and we’ve got a lot of kids, a lot of inexperienced players,” McIntyre said.

“We probably had 11 or 12 guys playing their first senior game on Saturday.

“We’re under-resourced, we’re underpaid … but it was all positive from my point of view. We always knew this year was going to be tough.

“We had to start somewhere … and I’m just going to get as much game time as I can into these kids and hopefully we can build on that.”

Former AFL stars Bruce Doull, Ross Smith, Scott Wynd, Jose Romero and Chris Johnson are products of the Jags, with Johnson featuring in their only EDFL senior premiership in 2017.

Chris Johnson is one of the big names to come through the Jags. Picture: Mark Dadswell

They won just one match in Division 1 the following year before withdrawing after four rounds of the 2019 campaign.

“We’re all realists – there’s no magic pill unfortunately,” McIntyre said.

“We just have to go through the hard yards and keep moving forward.”

McIntyre said he was concerned about the prospect of losing players if results did not improve.

But he said the Jags had assembled a good group hungry for exposure at senior level.

“That’s always in the back of my mind if we start having some heavy losses coming into winter, it’s a bit cold, that blokes may drop off,” McIntyre said.

“But I am confident with the playing group we do have.

“They’re all pretty good characters … and pretty focused on their footy. They just want the opportunity to play senior footy.

“This is what we need to go through. I’m hoping it’s short-term pain for long-term gain.”

But Keilor Park’s recovery from its own precarious position has given Jacana cause for optimism.

Like the Jags, the Devils fielded just one senior team in the EDFL in 2019 and finished winless with a paltry percentage of 11.59 in Division 2.

They lost by 223 points to Coburg Districts in the final round two years ago, with the two teams meeting on Good Friday to start the 2021 season as a more formidable Keilor Park prevailed by 47 points to complete a stunning turnaround.

The Devils have also bolstered their numbers significantly and have three senior sides.

“If they can do it, there’s no reason why any other club can’t,” McIntyre said.

“I went to the Good Friday game and watched them against Coburg Districts. They had a lot of supporters there and the club is looking really, really good.

“That gives me some heart to look at a club like Keilor Park, who were in the same position as us, and if they can claw their way back, I’m sure we can as well.”

Jacana has the bye this weekend and will next face East Sunbury on April 24.