EDFL scores: Westmeadows defeats Tullamarine for first time since 2016
Westmeadows extended its winning run to three games with a performance coach Mo Kaakour rated his side’s best of 2021.
Essendon
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Westmeadows scored a drought-breaking victory over Essendon District Football League Division 1 rival Tullamarine on Saturday.
The Tigers had endured an eight-match losing run against the perennial contender since prevailing by a solitary point in a home-and-away fixture in May 2016.
But Mo Kaakour’s side, coming off a six-day break following its Anzac Day fixture against Airport West, led at every change on its way to a 19-point victory away from home, 12.15 (87) to 10.8 (68).
Westmeadows sits in fourth position and has completed a three-game winning run since an opening-round defeat to flag fancy East Keilor.
The Demons were fresh from a memorable triumph over the star-studded Cougars in Round 3, but were ultimately outclassed by a determined Tigers outfit.
“They had a good result against East Keilor and were probably the form side of the competition,” Kaakour said.
“We had a light week on the track because of a six-day turnaround.
“We thought if we were close at three-quarter-time, we’d be able to run the game out, and that’s what happened.
“It’s the best we’ve played this year for sure. It was a complete four-quarter effort, whereas in other games we’ve played a couple of quarters and really dominated, but it was a good four-quarter game.”
Kaakour said the Tigers’ ability to win the contested ball proved decisive as their young players stood tall.
Jarrod Petersen kept Brad Allen goalless, while Riley Hearne restricted Cooper Perry to one major.
Mohammed Yassine starred on a wing, while Omar Saad contributed a game-high three goals.
Ryan Capron also impressed after being shifted into the ruck, with big men Cody Wight and Jason Kenneth both suffering concussions.
Dean Bartrop, Tim Matson and Michael Gatt worked hard for Tullamarine.
Westmeadows will next host Hillside, while Tullamarine will tackle Rupertswood away.
Tullamarine shakes up flag race with stunning win
East Keilor was meant to be unbeatable.
Anyone who believed the Cougars’ path to Essendon District Football League Division 1 premiership glory was a fait accompli in 2021 received a rude awakening on Saturday.
A determined, well-drilled and skilled Tullamarine outfit added much-needed intrigue to the flag race with a 16-point triumph at Leo Dineen Reserve, 15.10 (100) to 11.18 (84).
Over a longer than usual off-season, East Keilor created most of the headlines on the back of a fruitful recruiting spree.
But the Demons have added some quality of their own since 2019 and showed they are a genuine threat after seven consecutive finals appearances.
While the perennial contender deserves plaudits for the win itself, how it was achieved suggests David Connell’s side is made of stern stuff.
Tullamarine lost forward Jacob Osei-Duro (suspected broken leg) and defender Dom Micallef (hamstring) in the opening 20 minutes of the contest.
That misfortune came on top of the absence of star midfielder Anthony Prestia, Daniel Devine and Kirk Lang.
“We learnt that we’ve got a hell of a lot of character,” Connell said.
“No rotations pretty much in the whole second half and after quarter-time blokes having to play out of position. It was bloody gutsy, that’s for sure.
“To have your centre half-forward and centre half-back both go down 20 minutes into the game, structurally it pretty much screws you to be honest.
“When you’re up against arguably the best side in it, it presents some challenges, that’s for sure.”
The Cougars were missing three of the competition’s biggest names in Heath Shaw, Chris Stewart and Ben Caluzzi.
But they did use 46 of the 47 available player points, meaning some talent will have to make way for the trio to take the field.
The visitors appeared the far superior side during the second term but failed to capitalise on their chances, kicking two goals from 10 scores.
In contrast, the Demons kicked three goals straight, including the final two of the quarter, which reduced the half-time deficit to 13 points.
Connell conceded his team could have been “five or six” goals adrift at the main break if not for East Keilor’s inaccuracy.
Tullamarine then nailed 10 goals to five in the second half to complete a memorable victory against the odds.
Connell heaped praise on his backline, with Shannon Bennett leading the way as a key defender after he was initially set to play as a “third tall”.
With Prestia sidelined, Steve Vocale was again influential in the midfield despite copping no shortage of attention from the opposition.
“The bloke’s gone to another level,” Connell said.
“I think he’s announced himself as a premium onballer in the competition.”
Anthony Liberatore (two goals) and Dean Bartrop also shone in the middle of the ground, while Cameron Hare continued his fine form in a new role across half-back after being shifted out of the midfield as a result of the club’s depth.
“He’s had 100 touches in three weeks and copped it on the chin,” Connell said of Hare.
Dean Limbach (five) and Cooper Perry (four) bagged nine majors between them.
Limbach’s performance came just a day after his father’s funeral, with Connell revealing “even 15 minutes before the game, he wasn’t going to play.”
Perry, who managed nine goals from five senior games for the Cougars two years ago, put his former club to the sword.
“Coops is one I’m rapt for because to be honest he was probably someone East Keilor didn’t want,” Connell said.
“We identified pretty early that he had plenty of talent and he was definitely someone I targeted.
“Reality is, if he was playing for East Keilor, he probably would have been playing twos.”
The Cougars were well-served by Mark Mazzeo, Mitch Parsons and Fabian Brancatisano, while Dion Hill contributed five goals.
While pleased to emerge victorious, Connell noted: “you definitely don’t win a flag in Round 3.”
But East Keilor has a well-credentialed rival for the ultimate prize, with Tullamarine the only undefeated team after three rounds.
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