Official website of the Essendon District Football League

Airport West Claims Essendon Ford Division 1 Flag

By JULIA MONTESANO


AIRPORT West has won the Essendon Ford Division 1 flag with a thrilling 16.11-107 to 13.16-94 win over Tullamarine.

Eagle, Bior Malaul was awarded the David McWilliam Medal after kicking the sealer and generating great run-and-carry all game.

After a 46-point margin in Airport West’s favour at half time, Tullamarine turned the game on its head when it sparked the most unbelievable comeback we’ve seen this year.

Anthony Prestia booted three of his team’s nine third-quarter goals, one of which gave the Demons the lead for the first time during the game.

But the Eagles held their composure in the last term, finishing off their blistering start with the most fulfilling end.

Airport West got off to a quick start to the game with Ned Gentile and Jesse McVeigh booting two first-quarter majors.

Jack Kennedy and Chris Pereira-Oliva scored goals for the Demons but quick majors from Matthew Bullock and Brendan Godden late gave the Eagles an early 22-point lead at the first break.

Lachlan Di Sebastiano and Koolyn Briggs were promising early for Airport West in the fast-tempo game.

The tempo continued in the second quarter with the Eagles continuing to play run-and-carry football.

This gave the opportunity for Godden and McVeigh to continue their good days inside 50, with Godden kicking his second and McVeigh kicking his third for the game.

Evan Penaluna, Joel Brown, Luke Ryan and Ned Gentile piled on the goals afterwards to give the Eagles a 46-point lead at half time - a margin which was reduced by Will Becker, courtesy of a kick after the siren.

In the third quarter, Tullamarine beat Airport West at its own game with fast-paced football and scintillating running inside 50.

Steven Rizzo kicked off proceedings in the third term with a brilliant set shot from just inside 50.

But after this, it was Tullamarine who took full control, beating the Eagles at their own game in the third term.

It all started off the boot of Jack Kennedy, who ran into an open goal from close range after reading the ball off the back of the pack.

He kicked one later in the term, taking his tally to three goals for the day.

Russell Laurie then continued the comeback for the Demons with a huge goal from outside 50 in his last game of football in Tullamarine colours.

A deafening roar then took over Windy Hill when Kane Mulvaney snapped an absolute beauty from the boundary line in a remarkable goal that well and truly got the Demons back into the game.

Star forward, Anthony Prestia then got into the game with two consecutive goals to bring the Demons to within 13 points of the Eagles.

After a Jack Burns goal, the Demons found themselves level with the Eagles, and were on the brink of taking the lead for the first time in the game.

Then just when you thought the siren was going to go, Prestia again bobbed up inside 50 for his third major, giving Tullamarine its first lead for the game at a very good time, leading at three-quarter time.

Godden got the much-needed breakthrough for the Eagles in the fourth term, kicking their first goal since the five-minute mark of the third.

Dean Simmons had a chance to respond for Tullamarine but then missed a crucial set shot at goal, hitting the post from a shot just outside the goal square.

Malual made him pay at the other end, kicking the sealer for Airport West to take his side back up to Strathmore Community Bank Premier Division.


AIRPORT WEST |  6.0 | 12.6 | 13.7 | 16.11-107

Goal Kickers: N. Gentile 3, B. Godden 3, J. McVeigh 3, M. Bullock, E. Penaluna, J. Brown, L. Ryan, S. Rizzo, T. Young, B. Malual

TULLAMARINE |  2.4 | 4.8 | 13.13 | 13.16-94

Goal Kickers: J. Kennedy 3, A. Prestia 3, C. Pereira-Oliva, J. Port, W. Becker, R. Laurie, D. Simmons, K. Mulvaney, J. Burns

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