Whittlesea produces stunning NFL Division 1 upset over West Preston-Lakeside

Missing five key players and debuting a 16-year-old ruckman, Whittlesea stunning West Preston-Lakeside in a NFL Division 1 boilover.

Whittlesea players celebrate their win. Picture: Nathan McNeill

Like the A-Team’s Hannibal Smith, Whittlesea coach Blair Harvey loves it when a plan comes together.

Despite missing five first-choice players, Harvey’s plan to bring down West Preston-Lakeside produced one of the upsets of the NFL Division 1 season, winning by eight points at JE Moore Park.

Disappointed by a Round 1 loss to Greensborough, Whittlesea implemented a one-on-one plan, taking away several of West Preston-Lakeside’s prime movers and pounced on any mistake.

“It was special, especially when you look at the players that didn’t play,” Harvey said.

“Our pre-season form had been really good and we were disappointed with the Greensborough game, it wasn’t a reflection of how we’d been.

Tom Falls kicked the match-winning goal for Whittlesea. Picture: Hamish Blair

Xavier Dimasi in action for Whittlesea. Picture: Hamish Blair

“To bounce back against a quality side (in West Preston-Lakeside) was great for the football club.”

Without Jarrad Waite, Paul Higgins, Jaron Murphy, Cam Wild and Shane Duffy, the Eagles’ youngsters stood tall.

After playing in the under-17s last week, 16-year-old ruckman Tom Indian made his senior debut and more than held his own against premiership big man Matt Harman.

At full-back, 20-year-old Deakin Tennant held Roosters ace Ahmed Saad to three goals, while at the other end 17-year-old Will Plain – son of Essendon and Collingwood forward Brad, booted two goals.

“There were some massive efforts, like Deakin Tennant played on Saad and kept him to three goals.

“He’s played 14 games of senior football, we put him in our leadership group in the pre-season and he’s a younger model of Zach Molloy.

“He was obviously very nervous on Friday night but for his confidence and growth, he won several one-on-ones, is fantastic.

“We played young Tom Indian in the ruck, who’s just turned 16 in December, so he’s going to be a player of the future without a doubt.

“He’s 6’5, played in the ruck the majority of the day against Harmon and did an unbelievable job.

“Will Plain, the son of Brad, he’s only 17 and kicked two goals and had a big impact on the game, so that’s another great story.”

Whittlesea jumped out to a 34-point quarter-time lead, booting five goals to nil to shock the hosts, before West Preston-Lakeside brought it back to 21 points at half-time and 23 points at the final change.

After a few choice words from coach Rob Maiorana, the Roosters hit their straps in the final quarter and hit the lead with 10 minutes remaining.

However, Whittlesea came again and goals to Tom Fells and Plain sealed a memorable victory.

“There were definitely heart-flutters, with less than 10 minutes to go we turned the ball over deep inside their forward 50m and they hit the front for the first time,” Harvey said.

“I thought ‘s--t, they’ve got all the momentum and they were kicking with the breeze’ but luckily enough a few goals came our way late.”

After spending the summer with Sandringham and earning a VFL contract, Blake Watson has taken his game to a new level this season.

The young midfielder and reigning club best-and-fairest was named best on ground after going head-to-head with the Roosters engineroom.

“Sensational, tough as nails, did a lot of the grunt work inside with Dimma (Xavier Dimasi),” Harvey said.

“His fitness was always good but now it’s elite, just being able to get from contest to contest and then go forward and be dangerous as well.

“I strongly believe he’ll match it with any midfielder in the competition.”

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Watson’s form has him on the verge of a VFL debut with the Zebras, which would rob the Eagles of their top ball-winner for the Anzac Day clash against Hurstbridge.

However, Waite, Murphy and Higgins are all but certain starters while Wild is racing the clock after a broken hand.

Joel McDonald, Daman Aujla, Adam Valeri and Makhoul Zakkour were West Preston-Lakeside’s best performers.

The Roosters will look to bounce back when they visit Northcote Park after a week off on April 23.