Local footy: Rupertswood stun Airport West in EDFL Division 1

The EDFL Division 1 season has taken its biggest twist yet after Rupertswood stunned Airport West with two forwards getting “rewarded” for huge efforts.

Has the EDFL Division 1 premiership just been blown wide open?

It’s the question everyone is asking after Rupertswood’s stunning 21.5 (131) to 14.12 (96) over premiership favourite Airport West.

The Sharks led at every change to claim what many would have thought to be an unlikely four points.

But Rupertswood coach Arron Bray has always known his side’s best was good enough.

Earlier in the season, they fell to another premiership contender in Tullamarine by nine points away from home.

Bray’s side just needed to claim a scalp.

On Saturday, they did.

“We know where we’re at as a footy club,” he said.

“We know if we drop off by five per cent then anyone can get us. But we also know our best way we can match it with anyone and we’re not scared of any sides.

“When we played Tulla at their ground, we had seven scoring shots to three in the last quarter but our inaccuracy let us down so it was pleasing to kick straight yesterday because it’s been an area where we have struggled this season.”

Bryce Caldone of Rupertswood. Picture: Hamish Blair

Cameron McRorie (five goals) and Zak Saad (seven) dominated up forward for the Sharks with 12 goals between them in best on ground displays.

Luke Cannon, Jackson Cardillo, Brock Landt and Jordan Tentonello were also among the better players for Rupertswood.

Bray said his side’s accuracy in front of goal came down to a bigger focus on limiting shots from long range.

“Cam has been working really, really hard on his game and he got the rewarded for that yesterday,” he said.

“We made a conscious effort not to kick long points and we made Airport West kick a few of their own which was a good sign.

“Cam was one of those guys who had been kicking long points so it was good to see the boys put a through few the big ones instead of the small ones.”

Rupertswood coach Arron Bray. Picture: Hamish Blair

The game was a high scoring contest throughout the afternoon with the two sides combining for 20 goals in the opening half.

It was a scoreline Bray believed highlighted the willingness to move the ball quickly from both sides.

“We thought we matched up pretty well with them so we decided to make a couple of structural changes which had an impact,” he said.

“We always knew it was going to be a bit of a shootout and it became about which side was going to take their chances and thankfully it was us.

“Both sides had periods where they moved the footy really well and fortunately for us we were probably able to do it for a little bit longer.”

Rupertswood now turns its attention to a huge clash with Roxburgh Park who sit behind the Sharks on percentage in the race for the top five.

Westmeadows is in fourth place ahead of both sides with the same 6-4 record.

“We will definitely take a lot of confidence out of the weekend,” he said.

Airport West will now look to bounce back from its first loss of the season against Craigieburn.