WESTMEADOWS v TULLAMARINE – Live 2pm on mixlr.com/edflfooty & 98.9 North West FM
THIS is the moment Westmeadows fans have been waiting for, with Dane Swan expected to pull on the yellow and black jumper this week.
There has been plenty of hype around the return of Swan, so expect a big crowd at Willowbrook Reserve to see the former Brownlow Medallist in action.
The addition of Swan is a bonus for the Tigers, who started their season with a big win last Friday night against Jacana.
Tullamarine’s first round win went slightly under the radar, with a couple of upset wins elsewhere in the division.
The Demons were good in their first match under Dave Connell and had a solid 42-point win against Oak Park under lights.
It’s good signs early for the Demons, who have added a number of signings in the off-season, with several named in the best in Round 1.
AIRPORT WEST v TAYLORS LAKES
It’s been a while coming, but Airport West finally takes to the field this week after a bye in Round 1.
On the back of a grand final appearance last season, the Eagles entered the pre-season as the team to beat.
They lost a few players from that grand final side, but were busy on the recruiting front, adding numerous players including, James Micallef, Peter Ntalianis and George Nabbout and will enter the season as favourites.
How they will fit those new recruits in will be the question.
Taylors Lakes surprisingly opened its account on Saturday with a win over East Keilor.
The Lions haven’t added many players to their squad, but have added some more firepower and it seemed to make a difference.
With the exception of a poor first quarter against Hillside, the Lions have been able to play some good football.
They’ve pulled off one upset; pulling off a second straight one is an even bigger challenge.
OAK PARK v HILLSIDE
Two of the more disappointing teams in Essendon Ford Division 1 last week.
Both had matches they would have backed their chances to win, but came away without the points.
Oak Park faced a different-looking Tullamarine and it was the Demons who kicked away in the second half to seal the win.
The Kangaroos couldn’t find a multiple goal kicker in the result that didn’t help their cause.
The Sharks were within striking distance at three-quarter time against Craigieburn, but couldn’t match it in the last.
The Sharks struggled moving the ball forward in what they said was a below par result.
They sit 1-1 after a win on Good Friday, but haven’t played anywhere near their best football so far.
EAST KEILOR v CRAIGIEBURN
These two sides had contrasting results in Round 1 and it will be interesting to see if they were one-offs, or a sign of things to come.
Expected to be one of the big improvers this season, the Cougars were upset by Taylors Lakes last week.
While the weather wasn’t the greatest, the Cougars need to beat teams like the Lions if they are to move up the ladder in 2018.
The Eagles, on the other hand, returned to the winners list for the first time since the 2016 Division 1 Grand Final.
The Eagles played well against Hillside, kicking six goals in the last quarter to get the win and the monkey is now off the back.
It was some of the Eagles’ experienced heads that really stood up when needed on Saturday.
Coach Peter Budgen has taken confidence out of the win, but has said the next few weeks will be telling for his side.
