Taylors Lakes is showing it will be no easybeats this Essendon District Football League division 1 season.
The Lions on Saturday caused the biggest upset of the season so far, knocking off undefeated Tullamarine.
The Lions were challenged on more than one occasion, but responded to win 14.9 (93)-12.20 (92).
Lions’ coach Sam Tankard said they were nervous at three quarter-time when they trailed by two points.
The Lions had led by 21 points at quarter-time, before the Demons got back into the game and the scoreboard.
The Demons’ strength this season has been their ability to run over teams, a fact Tankard was well aware of.
“It didn’t matter if we were five or six goals up, we knew they would come,” he said.
“Their style is to attack. We knew that it would be a high scoring final quarter and they came at us.
“They had missed a goal with a minute to go and we had a plan to go down the middle of the ground.
“With 28 seconds to go we kicked a goal. They then had an opportunity to take a mark 55 metres out, but we ran away with it.”
Stephen Tieppo was the man of the moment for the Lions, kicking their last two goals, including the sealer.
Tieppo was named the Lions’ best, along with Rory Alexander and Jackson Wright.
Tankard said it was a whole team effort, with no one standing out.
As well as cementing the side’s spot in the top four, Tankard said the win would give them plenty of confidence.
“We had one bad quarter against Hillside, but have been very competitive in every other game,” he said.
“It’s good to beat a top side and give us some confidence, but we can’t get ahead of ourselves.
“We are confident we can play finals if everything goes right.”
One thing the Lions need to continue to go right is the injury list; the club had almost a full side to choose from at the weekend. Adrian Crawford should be back for the next game, with Rhys Deacon the only other major out.
The Lions have this weekend off for the Queen’s Birthday bye. They then face Craigieburn, another side which has been impressive.
“We’re looking forward to playing them and they really impressed me against Airport West,” Tankard said.
“Maybe we get that third spot outright if we get the win, so destiny is in our own hands.”
Hillside kept the pressure on the top-four sides with a good win against Jacana 22.11 (143)-10.10 (70).
In premier division, Keilor upset Greenvale winning 18.6 (114)-11.10 (76).
In division 2, Burnside Heights lost to East Sunbury.
