Tara Murray
Rupertswood got some reward for effort as it picked up its first win of the Essendon District Football League division 1 season.
After an off season which included a coaching change and a number of their best 22 walking out the door, the Sharks have been keen on letting their football do the talking.
On Saturday, the Sharks opened their account with a strong second half performance against Keilor Park, winning 15.10 (100)-8.11 (59).
Sharks coach Brad Fox said it had been a good day for the club.
“I was so pleased for the boys,” he said. “They have put the work in and they are a really committed, tight group.
“It’s nice to see them get the reward. When we sang the song, there was a mixture of relief and elation that we are on the right track.”
Fox said the most pleasing thing for him, was seeing the group playing how they had been training
He said they had to make some adjustments early on in defence which they had been able to do to start winning the ball in the midfield and get more opportunities inside 50.
At half time, the Sharks led by two points but there were some concens in the Sharks rooms.
The coaches had nothing to worry about.
“Leading up to half time, the last eight minutes of the second quarter, the intensity dropped off,” Fox said
“At half time we were concerned whether there would be that intensity in the third quarter, we focused on that at half time.
“The boys answered the question beautifully. They were terrific across the whole ground.”
Clayton Bonello kicked six goals for the Sharks with Fox saying he was tremendous working back and forward.
He said Matt McDonald led the midfield group really strong, while the backline produced an even spread.
He said Alex Misiti also made a welcome return to the side.
Fox said the performance was a real day of growth for the group with what they had been working on.
The Sharks have a bye this week, before facing Oak Park the following week.
Fox said it would be an important game in seeing where both sides fit.
In other matches, the Sunbury Kangaroos retained the Local Cup, beating East Sunbury underlights in division 2.
The Kangaroos jumped out of the blocks and led by 32 points at quarter time. The Kangaroos slowly increased the lead the next two quarters to led by 41 points at three time.
The Thunder kicked six goals in the final term to close the gap, but the Kangaroos still won, 11.13 (79)-9.5 (59).
Dylan Cunningham was the Kangaroos best.
In the women’s division 2 competition, the Sunbury Lions beat Roxburgh Park on Friday night, while the Sunbury Kangaroos beat East Sunbury on Saturday.
