EDFL Division 2: West Coburg maintain perfect start of Westmeadows

West Coburg has started a season 2-0 for the first time in eight years but its coach “wasn’t that thrilled” with parts of his team’s win.

West Coburg coach Dale May is demanding more from his players.

Despite running out 17.13 (115) to 9.6 (60) winners of Westmeadows to make it back-to-back EDFL Division 1 wins to start the season he is wanting more.

The Burgers raced out of the blocks to kick seven goals to one in the opening term but from there the margin remained relatively close for the rest of the afternoon.

It led to May saying “the boys were good for a quarter and a half” as his side started 2-0 for the first time since 2014, when West Coburg won a premiership.

“I wasn’t that thrilled with the second half,” he said on Sunday.

“I thought our midfield was on top for most of the game and our forward line worked well but we need to work on our deliver inside 50 but there’s still some positives to take away.

“Since I’ve been at the club we’ve always lost our first or second game so I made it a strong focus to win our first three and we’ve put ourselves in a good position to do that.

Abdikhane Fitaax was named among West Coburg’s better players. Picture: Hamish Blair

“It would be fantastic if we can go into the game against Tullamarine 3-0 in round 4.

“We started pre-season earlier than other clubs because I wanted us to be fitter than our opposition and I think it’s a decision which is holding us in good stead at the moment.”

The Burgers’ headline recruit of the off-season, Noah Weihrauch, from Strathfieldsaye in the Bendigo league, produced a strong performance in his second game for the club finishing with best on ground honours.

“He’s an honest, small footballer who gets rewards for his efforts,” May said.

“I thought he was good in the forward line and in the midfield throughout the afternoon. He was our only recruit from last year and I’ve been pleased with what he’s added to our group so far.”

Of the familiar faces in the West Coburg playing group, Liam Bowkett finished with four goals for the afternoon as did Reece Field for Westmeadows.

There were plenty of reasons to celebrate for West Coburg. Picture: Hamish Blair

Former AFL defender Lynden Dunn and Mitchell Miller finished with three goals apiece for the victors.

Marco Serruto, Maurice Contreras, Abdikhane Fitaax and Daniel Archer were named among the Burgers’ better players.

“I still believe we had a lot of talent in the group we had put together for last season,” May said.

“The young guys have really come on so far and have been super impressive.”

For Westmeadows, Field, Jason Kenneth, Mitchell Church, Jarrod Petersen, Jayden Ranno and Mohammed Yassine were named in the best.

They’ll look to bounce back against another strong side in Airport West on Anzac Day.

Meanwhile, West Coburg will be favourites to keep their perfect record alive against Moonee Valley.

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