By Tara Murray
Rupertswood’s tackling pressure proved crucial as it inflicted Glenroy’s first loss of the Essendon District Football League division 2 season.
It was a hard fought game on Saturday afternoon at Glenroy and it was the Sharks that were in front at the end of what was a thriller.
The Sharks led by 13 points at quarter time, with the margin just one point at each of the next two breaks.
Two goals to one in the final quarter was enough for the Sharks to win, 11.10 (76)-10.7 (67).
Sharks coach Brad Fox said it was a good game of football.
“It was a terrific result,” he said. “For our guys our best footy in games throughout the year has been a high standard, but it’s been about playing it for four quarters.
“Both sides played solid football for four quarters. It was a good contest and credit to both sides.”
Fox said the group already had confidence coming into the game, but could tell from the boys after the game they felt like they really earned the win and were proud of it.
Glenroy was able to hit the front when it kicked the first goal of the final quarter before the Sharks had the next five scoring shots.
Fox said there was one thing he thought was the difference in the end.
“Our tackling pressure was sustained throughout,” he said. “We had a couple of significant injuries by half time.
“There was guts and determination and our mids cracked in all the way. Credit to our backline who were fantastic all day with two key defenders going down.”
Joel Flanigan suffered a severe corkie, while Jack Young hurt his ankle both in the same bit of play before half time.
It meant Aaron West, who has been playing full forward this season, had to go back into defence in the second half. Fox said West was an outstanding full back and was becoming an outstanding full forward.
Fraser Phelan-Smith kicked four goals for the Sharks in a best on ground performance.
Bailey Verrall and Adam Bartrop were other standouts for the Sharks.
The Sharks sit third on the ladder with a 5-2-1 record.
Fox said the result reinforced the belief they had in their game.
He said both sides would get better as the season goes along with both missing several players on the weekend.
There’s a competition wide bye this weekend due to the long weekend, which Fox said came at a good time.
“It’s good to have a freshen up,” he said. “It’s the only weekend we have off in 18 games.
“Last year in division 1 we had four weekend off.”
In other matches, the Sunbury Kangaroos lost to Keilor Park, 12.9 (81)-12.5 (77) and East Sunbury lost to Burnside Heights, 15. 7 (97)-10.8 (68).
