Injuries cruel Tullamarine’s win with players in hospital

Tullamarine took home the four points on Anzac Day but it came at a cost with several players taken to hospital.

Matthew O'Dwyer in action. Photo: Hamish Blair

Tullamarine walked away with the four points on Anzac Day but the Demons are also feeling the pain.

Coach David Connell labelled the win as having a “bit of carnage” with three players hospitalised throughout the course of the 18.11 (119) to 11.3 (69) triumph over Keilor Park.

One of those will remain under medical observation until mid next week with broken ribs and possible damage to his kidney.

Two of his teammates suffered concussions while another suffered a hamstring injury after just eight minutes.

The injury toll left the Demons without a bench in the second half.

“There was no malice in any of the incidents, the game was played in great spirits, they were all just unfortunate,” Connell said.

“We’re happy with the four points but you’re also feeling flat because of what’s happened to your players.”

While the injuries will present challenges to replace key figures, Connell sees it as a great opportunity for several players who have started the season in the reserves.

“There’s a few guys who have been stiff not to be picked,” he said.

“But they’ll get their opportunity to come in now and really cement their place in the side. Our goal throughout the pre-season was to create some greater depth and I feel like we’ve been able to do that.

“A lot of credit needs to go to your leaders for how they led us through the game, the group was clearly deflated after the game. We could have gone into our shells but we managed to fight it out in the second half.”

It has been an up and down start to the season for the Demons.

Steven Vocale in action. Picture: Andy Brownbill

They had a bye in round one, played their first game on April 20 against Oak Park — 16 days after their last practice match and then just a four-day turnaround before the clash with the Devils on Anzac Day.

“You look at it and that was Keilor Park’s fourth game. Oak Park was playing their second, they were a lot sharper than us,” Connell said.

“We had no excuses for how that transpired but we probably weren’t sure of the type of impact the preparation would have. But we’re up and playing now which is the important thing.

“I thought we were a hell of a lot better in the first half on Thursday. I’ve always believed we were going to be a side who showed gradual improvement throughout the season.”

Tulla vice-captain Steven Vocale was inspirational for his side with four goals in a best on ground performance.

“He was excellent,” Connell said.

“The plan had been to throw him forward as part of the rotation but he spent more time deep out of necessity in the end.”

Connell’s side will now face a huge fortnight against premiership contenders against West Coburg and Hillside.