Tara Murray
An undermanned Rupertswood was happy to come away with the four points against Craigieburn in Essendon District Football League division 1.
With seven of their best 10 missing, the Sharks focus was on just making sure they came away with the four points and their fourth win of the season.
Despite a late run by the Eagles, the Sharks were able to steady to win, 12.8 (80)-8.7 (55).
Sharks coach Arron Bray said a combination of injuries and the flu had hit them hard this week.
Ben Said, Zac Saad, Mitch Johnson, Dylan Podolczak, Lochie Muir, Ben and Luke Cannon were among the outs.
He said despite the changes, the boys stood strong when they needed to, against a more than competitive Craigieburn team.
“Considering the outs we had, they were pretty good and we were able to come away with the four points,” he said.
“We did let them back into the game, the margin could have been a little bit bigger.
“They went on a run towards the end of the third quarter, as we had a couple more go down.
“The last quarter was more contested; the margin was able to stay about the same.”
Omar Taleb, Matthew Italiano and Jacob Chahine kicked two goals each in the win.
Bray said the most pleasing thing about the win was the even spread across the board.
“Omar Taleb was really good and Jordie Tentonello has been one of the shining lights this season,” he said.
“Booba [Brent Swallow] was good again. He doesn’t play a bad game.
“Jacob Chahine provided a contest down forward.
“We look at it honestly, we still had some outs and didn’t play our best football but we were able to knuckle down and get the four points.”
The win has the Sharks sitting in fourth spot.
Bray said while they’re happy with sitting that high, they know they could have possibly had at least another win.
Their two losses have come to the two top sides, Airport West and Tullamarine.
“After the Tulla game I spoke with DC [Dave Connell] and he said we were the better side for three quarters,” he said. “They had a bit more experience and a good bloke in Shaun McKernan who can clunk them as a good get out kick option.
“We pushed Airport West and we kept up with Tulla. We’re happy with where we are at, but we’re disappointed we couldn’t knock one off them off and we’d be pushing top two.
“But we must be doing something right.”
The Sharks this week face Westmeadows in another big match up. The Tigers have won their last two games.
In other matches, the Sunbury Kangaroos are the only team without a win after losing to Moonee Valley.
The Kangaroos, who were fielding one of the weakest teams in years, trailed by 28 points at half time.
They reduced that to under a goal, before the Fog kicked the last two of the game to get the 8.13 (61)-6.13 (49) win.
Cooper McPharlane kicked three goals.
