Roxburgh Park secures second win of 2019 season to build belief it belongs in EDFL Division 1
Early wins have helped Roxburgh Park build the belief it belongs in EDFL Division 1 as the promoted Magpies look to prove the pre-season doubters wrong.
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Early wins have helped Roxburgh Park building the belief it belongs in EDFL Division 1.
The promoted club claimed their second win of the season in Round 6, holding off Taylors Lakes by 11 points at Lakeside Oval.
The Magpies put pre-season predictions of a winless season and swift return to Division 2 in the memory bank and have improved dramatically since Round 1.
“We like proving the doubters wrong and the non-believers,” coach Michael Farrelly said.
“With the young side that we currently have and the doubt externally — and even internally — it’s good to get a couple of early wins.
“Especially when we were hearing we wouldn’t win a game all year and be quickly down in Division 2.”
Roxburgh Park secured its first Division 1 win in Round 4 with a 12-point victory over Oak Park and beating Lakes only enhanced Farrelly’s belief.
“That was the theme against Oak Park ‘do we belong’,” he said.
“A lot of cliches get thrown around footy clubs but that’s a really big question and I thought they answered it that day.
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“We’ve never beaten Taylors Lakes in the history of the football club, so that was another milestone.
“The biggest learning curve for our playing group has been on field.
“We’ve only got four or five players that have played a higher level than Division 2, so it’s a real credit to the boys.”
Ryan Micallef, Troy Cooke and Zac Reichelt all impressed in the win over Taylors Lakes while Luke Capuano bagged five goals.
The Magpies kicked seven goals in the first quarter to set up the win.
However, Farrelly admits strong starts were crucial as running out games had been an issue for his players early in the year.
“Because we are such a young side and our fitness levels are still evolving, we have to get a good start to give ourselves a chance,” he said.
“The games we’ve lost, we’ve lost after half time because our guys were running out of legs earlier in the year.”
The Magpies were seventh on the ladder heading into their bye, equal with West Coburg who beat them by 10 goals in Round 1.
Roxburgh Park returns to the field on Saturday away to Westmeadows at Willowbrook Reserve.
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