By Tara Murray
Burnside Heights sent an early statement to other sides in the Essendon District Football League division 2 competition.
Starting the season under lights on Friday night against a bit of an unknown Jacana side, the Bears came away with a mammoth win that no one saw coming.
Bears’ president Justin Peagram said that while they were confident of getting the win, the 23.9 (147)-12.11 (83) scoreline was thrilling.
“The boys were confident, but not that confident,” he said. “We surprised a few people.
“We were against the wind in the first quarter and we said the key for us was to kick goals against the wind.
“We got the first couple of goals … I think we scored nine goals against the wind and they only scored three.”
Peagram said it was an even performance across the board, with no real individual four-quarter efforts. He said a lot of players ran out of legs in the second half, as sometimes happened in round one.
Spearhead Joshua Covelli won the battle of the key forwards, kicking eight goals to the four of Jacana’s Cameron Cloke.
Adam Sullivan, playing in the midfield, kicked four goals, while Jordan Hughes, Corey Patmore, Kristian Rocci and Nick Morda were all solid contributors.
Eight new faces made their debuts for the Bears on Friday night.
They included Danny Grantham, Rocci, Matthew Brown, Matthew Peterlechner and Matthew Busuttil.
Peagram said the addition of those players had given the club extra depth.
He said the Bears were aiming to make finals for the first time this year after last year delivering their best season ever.
He said they had put together a list in the past few years they thought could take them to finals and that coach Aidan Stott had worked hard to develop the squad.
“We’ve built a team based on guys that can play a role week in, week out.
“We’ve built the list – now we have to put up or shut up. This is our chance.”
In other division 2 matches, Sunbury Kangaroos made a winning start to their time in the EDFL by beating Northern Saints 17.7 (109)-12.10 (82), Coburg Districts defeated East Sunbury 14.10 (94)-10.13 (73) and Hadfield was too good for Keilor Park 29.17 (191)-3.2 (20).
In division 1, Hillside overcame a slow start against Oak Park to win 20.12 (132)-9.8 (62).
Brandon Coletta kicked six goals for the Sharks and Jordan Sinclair kicked five.
West Coburg was too good for Roxburgh Park, East Keilor smashed Taylors Lakes and Tullamarine got home against Westmeadows.
MORE EDFL NEWS
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/sunbury-teams-chase-silverware-as-home-town-rivalry-kicks-off/
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/confidence-boost-for-roxburgh-park/
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/keilor-young-gun-doesnt-hold-back-in-return-to-footy/
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/greenvale-happy-with-solid-first-up-victory/
