West Preston-Lakeside begins 2021 with a win over Bundoora
After starting 0-6 in 2019, NFL Division 1 premier West Preston-Lakeside had no such trouble against Bundoora. Plus, Montmorency’s win over Northcote Park.
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There will be no history-making comeback this season for reigning NFL Division 1 premier West Preston-Lakeside.
The Roosters started 2019 with six straight losses before storming home in the second half of the season to claim back-to-back flags.
READ ABOUT MONTMORENCY’S WIN OVER NORTHCOTE PARK BELOW
Much to coach Rob Maiorana’s relief, season 2021 started in much happier fashion on Saturday with a 48-point win over Bundoora at JE Moore Park.
“We’re just happy to start with a win, unlike last year,” Maiorana said.
“We spoke about it during the week, getting off to a good start, because there’s no easy games and you need to get them in the bank early.”
Leading by just four points at half-time co-captain Ahmed Saad sparked a second half demolition of the Bulls.
Bundoora were held goalless while West Preston-Lakeside piled on seven to run out 11.13 (79) to 4.7 (31) victors.
Saad finished the day with five goals in an enthralling one-on-one battle with Bulls defender Ben Young, while ruckman Matt Harmon was named best-on-ground.
Jackson Clarke and Ethan Penrith marshalled the Roosters defence while debutant Sanipepa Egan showed he’ll be a dangerous addition.
Maiorana was pleased with his side’s second half showing after an early arm-wrestle.
“I thought Bundoora played quite well, they were good around the contest, but the second half we tweaked a few thing and looked more dangerous,” he said.
“The longer the game went on we saw (that skill level) come out but still some areas of improvement.
“After so long off, the excitement, the tricky conditions, it wasn’t perfect but there were some good signs.”
Penrith and Egan were two of four debutants for the Roosters with Malik Elfakahani (two goals) and Chris McCabe also stepping out for the first time. Carl Adams and Adam Valeri returned from overseas.
Maiorana added ex-AFL player Flynn Appleby was no certainty to sign for the club despite a clearance being submitted but Northern Bullants VFL signing Jackson Barling was confirmed.
Bundoora were without several top-liners, including captain Brent Marshall and co-captains Luke Collins and Brenton Keating.
Stand-in captain Brendan Carlyon joins a growing casualty ward after suffering a hamstring injury.
Ruck-forward Hamish Shepheard impressed with his work around the ground, providing the highlight of the day with a spectacular pack mark in the final quarter.
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Fellow 2020 recruit Kyle Green was strong through midfield and up forward while boom off-season signing Sam Lloyd showed flashes of brilliance but didn’t have a lasting impact.
Bulls coach Michael Ryan was pleased with his team’s first half showing but lamented a string of wasted opportunities in the final quarter.
Bundoora had a glut of inside 50s but kicked 0.4 and had another couple sail out of bounds on full in a disappointing finish.
West Preston-Lakeside travels to Greensborough for the grand final rematch in Round 2, while Bundoora is on the road again at Montmorency.
STAND UP! RAMSAY BAKE SAVES MONTMORENCY’S BLUSHES
Montmorency coach Garry Ramsay wasn’t angry, he was just disappointed.
The Magpies had dominated Friday night’s NFL Division 1 season-opener against Northcote Park until half-time, keeping the Cougars goalless and holding a comfortable 55-point lead.
That all changed in dramatic fashion at Bill Lawry Oval.
Northcote Park roared back into the game with six unanswered goals in the third quarter.
Inspired by debutant Trohne Ugle, star big man Kyle Galloway and defender Reed Jepson, the Cougars cut the margin to just 18 points.
The lacklustre showing leading Ramsay to rip into this players, urging them to “stand up”.
“If there’s effort and we get beaten I can handle that but when they go horribly against the game plan and against the core values, which they did in the third quarter, that’s when the bake happens,” Ramsay said.
“It’s something you can’t do every week but a lot of things went against the team plan.
“I’m hoping it doesn’t happen again but I’ll keep it in the back pocket.
“In the first half we only missed a handful of tackles and our discipline was really good.
“In the third quarter we gave away three 50m penalties, which I was really disappointed with, gave up momentum and got smashed in the stoppages.
The spray did its job and the Magpies held Northcote Park goalless for a third quarter, running out 29-point winners.
Lachie O’Brien was best-on-ground, kicking three goals, while leaders Jesse Donaldson, Jai Robinson, Steve Uzelac and Steve Macullum also impressed in the 11.6 (72) to 6.7 (43) victory.
The third quarter aside, Montmorency’s defence was a brick wall giving up 0.4 in three quarters.
“The defence are a really hard working group and do a lot of extra training, so they’re a tight knit group,” Ramsay said.
“They debriefed after the game and were very upset with what happened in the third quarter but the other three, they were fantastic.”
For Northcote Park, Jepson was outstanding in his first game after crossing from Epping last season.
Undersized on star Magpies full-forward Patrick Fitzgerald, Jepson kept him to two goals with his ability to spoil and rebound a feature.
Ex-AFL star and Northcote Park junior Ben McNiece performed strongly through midfield, while Coburg-listed ruckman Galloway was dominant after half-time.
Arriving from Perth league club Canning Vale, Ugle put on an eye-catching three-goal display highlighted by a spectacular high-flying mark in the third term.
2021: NFL DIVISION 1 CLUB-BY-CLUB SEASON PREVIEW
LEADER: GET YOUR NORTHERN FOOTY NEWS HERE
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However, his night ended prematurely with a hamstring injury.
Benjamin Augustus also failed to see out the match with a serious shoulder injury as Northcote Park’s pre-season injury curse continued into Round 1.
The Cougars are already without star defender and captain Paul Dirago and recruit Daniel Tallariti due to finger injuries, while Matt Grocott has a quad issue.
It doesn’t get any easier for Northcote Park with North Heidelberg in Round 2, while Montmorency will host Bundoora.
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