EDFL 2021: Tullamarine fields nine recruits in win over West Coburg
The Demons fielded a new-look side, including star signing Dean Limbach, in Round 1 while some well-known names played reserves.
Essendon
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Tullamarine overcame a West Coburg outfit without star recruit Lynden Dunn to kick off its Essendon District Football League Division 1 campaign in style on Saturday.
The Demons, who were missing experienced defender Russell Laurie, booted 11 goals to five after quarter-time to score a 12.10 (82) to 8.7 (55) victory at Leo Dineen Reserve.
It was a confidence-boosting result first up for David Connell’s side, with both teams rated among the leading contenders this season.
Gun forward Dean Limbach impressed in his first game for the club, booting three majors in tough conditions.
Rhys Clarke, Cooper Perry, Michael Gatt, Sam Laffan, Dom Micallef, Michael Dalrymple, Kirk Lang and Jacob Osei-Duro were other new faces in Tullamarine’s line-up.
“I thought it was a bit of a grind for probably two and a half quarters,” Connell said.
“I felt us getting on top and we probably just broke it open a little bit in the back half of the game.
“It was really pleasing to get a good win against a really good opponent early on.”
Former Richmond-listed player Limbach produced an encouraging display after signing with the Demons in November.
Limbach booted 84 majors from 18 games for Craigieburn in 2018 before he was limited to five games for the Eagles and Diamond Creek the following year.
Connell conceded Limbach was “fairly underdone” but was pleased with his recruit’s effort.
“He kicked two massive goals in the third quarter against the breeze that were probably the game breakers … one from a tackle and one from a stoppage,” he said.
“He’ll definitely only get better for the run.
“(West Coburg’s) Dane Lucas would normally go to Brad Allen. He’s clearly their best defender and went to Dean all day, which freed up Brad to roam and push up the ground a bit more and have an impact.
“For him to kick three goals on a quality opponent was great.”
Connell said his side benefited from an even contribution, with midfielder Anthony Liberatore named best afield.
“He’s just an athlete, he’s super fit and was still running hard at the end of the game,” Connell said of Liberatore.
“I thought some of his stuff from stoppages was great, he hit the scoreboard a little bit as well.
“Vocale, (Anthony) Prestia and (Dean) Bartrop were great as well, but Libba had one of his better games for sure.”
Caleb Harward, Dalrymple, Micallef, Clarke and Steve Vocale were other standouts.
Micallef restricted West Coburg star Liam Bowkett to two goals, while Shannon Bennett kept Daniel Archer to three, with Connell highlighting the duo’s performances.
The likes of Ryan Pretty, Jack Burns, Oliver Klemm, Will Becker, Justin Marcy, James Duell and Jonathan Hardman played in Tullamarine’s reserves on Saturday, underlining its depth.
But the side went down by 19 points despite fielding a strong line-up on paper.
“We’ve definitely got a fairly deep list,” Connell said.
“But disappointed with the way they performed. We would have been hoping to walk away with two wins.”
The Demons will face Airport West away from home in Round 2.
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