NFL 2018 results: Whittlesea ends 11-game losing run with nine-point victory over Montmorency

TWO days after its coach announced he would step down at the end of the NFL season, Whittlesea ended an 11-match losing run with a nine-point victory over Montmorency.

THE smile on coach Jim Atkins’ face said it all.

Two days after he announced he would step down as Whittlesea coach at the end of the Northern Football League season, Atkins’ side ended an 11-match losing run with a nine-point victory over Montmorency.

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The Eagles are one win away from hauling themselves off the bottom of the Division 1 ladder after drawing equal with ninth-placed Hurstbridge on eight points.

Whittlesea prevailed 13.8 (86) to 10.17 (77) at Montmorency Park, establishing a 22-point quarter-time lead before outpointing the gallant Magpies in the second half.

Whittlesea coach Jim Atkins' smile on the final siren as his team snaps an 11-game losing streak by beating Montmorency. Picture: Nathan McNeill.

Returning to the senior side for the first time in almost two months, Janan Daniel was brilliant with three goals for Whittlesea in a sorely-needed triumph.

Jack Dyson, Clancy Bland and Matthew Atta were also prominent as the Eagles produced an emotion-charged win just days after learning they would have a new coach in 2019.

Atkins is determined to leave his post with Whittlesea as a Division 1 club and Saturday’s away win greatly enhances his chances of achieving that goal.

Whittlesea accounted for Montmorency to end an 11-match losing run. Picture: Nathan McNeill.

While there is still 17 per cent separating the Eagles and Bridges, who are also 2-11, the bottom-two sides meet in the last round of the season in a potential relegation decider.

Whittlesea has a gruelling run before then, taking on an in-form North Heidelberg, reigning premier Bundoora, ladder leader Macleod and finals contender West Preston-Lakeside.

If it can produce another upset during those four games, it would go a long way to consolidating the club in the NFL’s top tier for another season.

Hurstbridge tackles Greensborough, North Heidelberg and Bundoora in the next three weeks before meeting Montmorency and Whittlesea in the last two games of the season.

The injury-ravaged Magpies are all but out of finals contention after their loss to the Eagles, sitting eighth and trailing the top five by two games and percentage.

Whittlesea claimed its second win of the 2018 season over Montmorency. Picture: Nathan McNeill.

Macleod closed in on the minor premiership with a 33-point win over Bundoora, Greensborough defeated Northcote Park by 55, West Preston hammered Hurstbridge by 112 and North Heidelberg downed Heidelberg by 33 to push into the top three.