EDFL scores: Roxburgh Park defeats West Coburg in Division 1

The Magpies on Saturday claimed their most significant win since their 2018 EDFL Division 2 flag, extending their winning run to three games.

Roxburgh Park’s Hayden Farrelly won his duel with Lynden Dunn. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Roxburgh Park is on a roll.

Tipped as an improver this season, the Magpies had an underwhelming 2-6 start to the Essendon District Football League Division 1 campaign.

But after hard-fought two-goal wins over Hillside and Sunbury Kangaroos, Roxburgh Park on Saturday claimed its most significant victory since its 2018 Division 2 premiership triumph.

The Magpies took down flag contender West Coburg by 38 points at Lakeside Oval, leading from go to woe.

A seven-goal-to-two first half laid the foundations as the home side prevailed 15.8 (98) to 8.12 (60) to improve its record to 5-6, leaving it two games outside the top four.

“It’s the big scalp we were after,” Roxburgh Park co-captain Jamie Grant said.

“It’s something we’ve been building towards for a while. There’s been a few injuries and a couple of suspensions, but we’re close to getting our full team on the park.”

The Magpies should have had four wins in succession after coughing up a 23-point three-quarter-time advantage against Tullamarine in Round 8.

They will face bottom-ranked Taylors Lakes away this weekend and will be warm favourites to even their win-loss ledger.

Jack Elliott spearheaded the win over West Coburg, delivering a best-afield display in the ruck.

Co-captain Harley Short was inspirational in the midfield, along with Jay Barbera (two goals) and Trent Fisher.

Brock Heathcote and Raafat Rachrache helped themselves to four majors apiece, while Matt Patane contributed three.

Defender Hayden Farrelly also took the honours in his duel with Lynden Dunn, restricting the ex-AFL player to two goals.

Roxburgh Park has displayed genuine progress in the past month after claiming three wins in its first Division 1 season in 2019.

“We’re a close-knit group, we play for each other,” Grant said.

“Coming off the ground, the supporters were up and about.

“The club’s just in a very good spot at the moment.

“There’s a few people who said we wouldn’t win a game when we first came up, and we’ve done more than that obviously.”

East Keilor, Airport West, Westmeadows and Sunbury Kangaroos were the other winners in Round 11.