Westmeadows go 5-1 after big win over Sunbury Kangaroos

Many thought it was difficult to predict Westmeadows fate heading into 2024. But the Tigers are flying as coach Ash Flavel reveals the keys and what sparked Saturday’s big win.

Nathan Sparks, Jordan Kosteas and Shaun O’Grady all played their 200th games for Westmeadows earlier this season.

Westmeadows’ 5-1 start to the season might have some onlookers surprised.

After the Tigers were relegated to the EDFL’s bottom tier last season, many weren’t sure how they would fare or where they sat in the race for the premiership.

Coach Ash Flavel said he never understood why his side had so many question marks surrounding them.

Instead, he was quick to throw support behind his group playing group.

“What people underestimated is all these kids played all these games last year and they’ve improved by another five to 10 per cent,” he said.

“We picked up another three or four, maybe not as many we would have liked but the club was obviously resetting and looking after their finances. We lost a couple of guys — Finbar Delbridge went back to Sydney, Michael Portelli went to Hillside and Shaun Knott headed back to country footy.

“Going down a division, we probably went under the radar because we didn’t recruit as many players as other sides.”

The Tigers recorded a 12.15 (87) to 8.12 (60) win over last year’s grand finalists, Sunbury Kangaroos, on Saturday to bounce back from their only loss of the season.

A week earlier, Burnside Heights made a statement in a 59-point victory.

Flavel was disappointed with his side’s output and demanded a response.

“We ad far too many players who were below expectations, we only had a handful of players who stood up.

“Saturday, a lot of boys needed to redeem themselves and I thought it was a really good win for us.

“We just reminded them of the importance of needing to back the system because when we do it well, it has worked for us.”

On the back of the weekend’s win, Flavel wanted to hand out praise across the playing group for how they took his message on board.

Nathan Sparks was best on ground but he was well supported by several teammates.

“Through the middle he was fantastic,” he said.

“Jarrod Petersen, our captain, across the backline he was fantastic. Again, Jordy Kosteas across the halfback line, was phenomenal.

“Ryan Capron, our other co-captain, in the middle was a really good leader. Shaun O’Grady and Korey Flavel-Wood down forward were really good with Aaron Evans tipping in three.

“We’ve just got a really good balance at the moment. That’s what’s really pleasing.”

While Rex Hickman, the Tigers’ leading goalkicker, didn’t hit the scoreboard, Flavel revealed he still played a key role for his side.

“Michael Mayne, our ruckman, has been a little sore at the moment, he came off in the second half,” he said.

“Rex went into the ruck, hence why he didn’t really hit the scoreboard like he has in other games.

“He played a selfless role. We’re just trying to rest Michael the best we could.”

Westmeadows will now navigate a tricky period with a bye followed by a game against Taylors Lakes on June 1.

Then they’ll have another week off due to the King’s Birthday long weekend.