EDFL: Ibrahim Taha stars for Airport West against West Coburg

One of Airport West’s big off-season recruits came back to haunt his former side with a best on ground performance, but the coach wasn’t happy with all aspects of the Eagles’ 30-point win.

West Coburg’s loss is Airport West’s gain — in a big way.

After crossing to Airport West in the off-season, Ibrahim Taha reminded his former side of what they had lost with a stunning best on ground display on Saturday.

His performance which included a goal helped lift the Eagles to a 13.11 (89) to 8.11 (59) win.

Airport West coach Trent Rogers said Taha had handled himself “extremely well” in the lead up to the game.

“It’s never easy playing against your mates especially for the first time but he was fantastic,” he said.

“To start the year we had him spending a lot more time forward but since halftime of the Anzac Day game he has been spending a lot more time in the middle.

“We’ve found ourselves a really, really good stoppage player. Yesterday (Saturday), he was able to break the game open with 30-35m kicks out of a stoppage which gave our forwards chances in tough conditions.

“He also took marks around the ground and did just about everything. His form has been really impressive.”

Lachlan Di Sebastiano was named in Airport West’s better players.Picture: Stuart Milligan

Inside forward 50, Anthony Aloi starred with four goals — taking his season tally to six majors from three games.

He missed the Anzac Day game against Westmeadows with sore ribs.

“He likes playing against the good sides,” Rogers said.

“Anthony was marking everything but even when the ball did hit the ground I thought his pressure was fantastic.

“He’s another one of our players in who is playing consistently.”

Ivan Pavlovic, Ronald Hackney, Clayton Rogers and Lachlan Di Sebastiano were also impressive in what was a “fairly consistent” performance according to Rogers.

Tyson Young finished with two goals for Airport West.Picture: Stuart Milligan

Although, he wasn’t pleased with his side’s start to the final term.

It was the only last quarter Airport West has lost so far in 2022.

“From the sidelines, it looked like we thought the job was done and we could cruise into next week,” he said.

“To not win the last quarter was disappointing but it’s something we will work on and speak about at training this week.

“Our big focus heading into the game was our tackle pressure and doing the one percenters, which I thought the boys did for most of the game.”

Now the Eagles will turn their attention to a huge clash with fellow undefeated rival Tullamarine.

“It’s going to be a great contest,” Rogers said.

“Usually when we play each other it’s always a cracking game but for both sides to be 5-0 only makes it that little bit bigger.”

After back-to-back losses, West Coburg will look to bounce back against Roxburgh Park.