Tara Murray
Rupertswood pulled off the upset of the Essendon District Football League division 1 season on Saturday.
The Sharks did what no other team had done this season, beat Airport West.
It was a bit of a shootout early on, with the young Sharks able to hold off the Eagles as they came at them in the second half.
The accurate Sharks got the win, 25.5 (131)-14.12 (96).
Sharks coach Arron Bray was thrilled with the result.
“It was probably our first four quarter performance for the year,” he said.
“We had a game plan which saw us structured up a bit differently early and the changes we had made, made them have to make a few changes.
“We took a few of their guys out of their comfortable spots.”
Bray said they knew if they played their best football they would be able to test the Eagles.
He said the most pleasing thing was the group didn’t doubt themselves, even when the score got close.
“It was back to two or three points in the third quarter,” he said. “We kicked the next three goals and made the margin 18 points at the last break.
“We were pretty confident we could run out the game, we’re a pretty fit team. We knew they would ask the question in the last quarter, and we were able to withstand them.”
Bray said it was nice to be able to convert on the scoreboard, after not making the most of their chances in a couple of games.
Zac Saad kicked seven goals, while Cameron McRorie kicked five goals.
While Saad was named best on ground, Bray said his rewards were the efforts of the whole forward line.
“Zac got a lot of the reward,” he said. “Jacob Chahine, Mitch Johnston, were good. Cam kicked five goals and Jordie Tentenello was another one who was good.
“Their hard work got the reward. We pressured them really well.”
The win and other results, mean the Sharks sit percentage outside the top four.
Bray said the win boosted the confidence of the group, having lost a couple of close matches against top sides in the lead up to the break.
“No one was expecting us to win this game,” he said. “It showed the young guys we have a system and game style that holds up and there is more belief.
“We know where we are as a footy club. It was quite a good result with the young side that we had in.
“It was a really good win, but if we can’t win next week it means nothing.”
Bray said they still had four or five players to come back into the side in the coming weeks.
The Sharks this week face Roxburgh Park.
In other matches, the Sunbury Kangaroos remain without a win after a big loss to Tullamarine.
The Demons were in control from start to finish, winning 18.15 (123)-5.7 (37).
Tie Cuffe and John Corso were the Kangaroos best.
