EDFL scores: Tullamarine completes remarkable win over Roxburgh Park

The Demons were down and out in their EDFL Division 1 clash against Roxburgh Park before launching an extraordinary blitz in the dying stages.

Brad Allen booted four goals for Tullamarine, including three in the last term. Picture: Hamish Blair

Tullamarine was 17 points down in time on of the final term on Saturday.

Minutes later, the Demons had completed a 26-point victory on the back of an extraordinary blitz in their Essendon District Football League Division 1 clash against Roxburgh Park.

The home side booted eight unanswered goals in the last quarter, seven of them coming in a 12-minute burst after David Connell and his coaching staff had no reason to believe Tullamarine was capable of stealing victory from the jaws of defeat.

The valiant Magpies were held scoreless in the final half-hour at Leo Dineen Reserve after holding a 23-point advantage with one quarter remaining.

But it was the second-placed Demons who moved to 7-1 with a 12.7 (79) to 8.5 (53) triumph.

“I’ve been coaching senior footy for a long time and I actually stood there at the end for two or three minutes just wondering what happened,” Connell said.

“We threw a few things around at three-quarter-time … we went with the mindset to try and take the game on a little bit, play the corridor as much as possible and take some risks.

“We knew we probably had to kick six or seven in the last quarter to win it, so we said we’d roll the dice.

“It was just a momentum thing. Once we got on top, they (Roxburgh Park) probably panicked a bit with some of their inexperience and the young kids. They probably tried to save the game rather than continue what they were doing.

“At the 17-minute mark of the last quarter … we’d tried everything. It came from nowhere, that’s for sure.”

Skipper Adam Scott gained the ascendancy in his ruck duel with Magpies star Jack Elliott, while Caleb Harward was moved into the middle and had “three of four clearances” to ignite his team.

Anthony Prestia kicked two last-quarter goals after being shifted forward, finishing with three for the match, while Cooper Perry rebounded from a quiet afternoon with two majors when it mattered most.

Brad Allen was also prominent with three final-term goals, giving him four for the game.

Defender Adam Bartrop built on his consistent campaign to deliver a best-afield display, while young backman Tim Matson also impressed.

“I’d say he’s probably leading our best and fairest,” Connell said of Bartrop.

“For a team that has a lot of good midfielders, for a back pocket to be leading your B&F is a credit to him. He’s had a really consistent year and I don’t think he’s had a poor game.”

Connell said the Demons failed to adjust to the wet conditions against a determined Magpies outfit.

He conceded the result “felt like a loss” but took heart from Tullamarine’s ability to overrun its opponent.

“For the first three quarters … we were poor, but all credit to Roxy. They were really up for the game, obviously came with a plan and for three quarters executed it really well,” Connell said.

“The ground was actually holding a fair bit of water (from Friday’s rainfall), it was pretty muddy through the middle, and I just felt we didn’t adapt to the conditions at all for the first three and a half quarters.

“We turned the ball over a bit, which was obviously due to their pressure as well.

“Pleasing that we ran the game out, but there’s some work we need to do as a group on the mental side of the game.

“You can’t look at ladder position in this comp. Roxy are a very good side, and they’re sitting 2-6. If you go into games looking at ladder position and you’re 5 per cent off, then you’re going to be in trouble.

“That’s what we addressed (on Saturday) and that’s what we’ve got to get better at.”

Michael Gatt is set for a stint on the sidelines after suffering a fractured hand, while Daniel Devine was in hospital on Sunday awaiting eye surgery as a result of a head clash.

Tullamarine will next tackle Sunbury Kangaroos at Eric Boardman Reserve.