In a close contest Whittlesea lost to Bundoora by 17 point in Northern Football Netball League division one seniors on Saturday.
The 11.6 (72) to 12.17 (89) scoreline was indicative of the Eagles’ fight to be competitive on the scoreboard.
After being down by 29 points at quarter time, Whittlesea had to claw its way back into the game.
Whittlesea coach Wayne Van Der Ross said it was his side’s best performance of the year.
“We put in a four-quarter effort and the boys played really well. We almost knocked off Bundoora, which is a great effort,” he said.
Although the Eagles struggled to score in the first quarter, they remained undeterred, fighting their way back in the second quarter to boot five goals to one and bring the game back within five points.
“I think the biggest thing that changed in the second quarter was just that the boys started winning the footy,” Van Der Ross said.
“They were winning the contested ball and they were spreading really well from the contest.
“We just hit the scoreboard in the second quarter.”
The third quarter saw the Eagles remain right in the game with Bundoora, bringing the margin back to four points, before falling short in the fourth going down by 17 points.
Although Whittlesea couldn’t score the win, Van Der Ross said there were positives to take away from the close game.
“There was a lot more consistency and we were able to compete longer. Just being able to take it up to one of the best teams in the competition was great,” he said.
Harley Fraumano, one of the Eagles’ younger players, had a great game and was best on ground.
“We moved him into the midfield and he was really pivotal,” Van Der Ross said.
Clancy Bland also dominated in the ruck, while 17-year-old Jack Morley and Blake Heyfron also debuted for Whittlesea at the weekend
“What we’ve been doing this year is giving opportunities to young kids who deserve it,” Van Der Ross said.
“We’ve got about 10 or 11 players that have got their first senior game this year. We’re a very young side.”
Whittlesea will play Hurstbridge this Saturday.
“Going into this weekend’s game we’ll have a bit more confidence, more belief in ourselves,” Van Der Ross said.
“The biggest thing we’ll continue to work on, which we’ve been winning in the last three weeks, has been our clearances and tackles.
“Those two things have been a real feature of our game in the last three weeks, so we’ll continue to work on those things and continue to improve on other aspects of the game.”
In division three, Kilmore had a bye at the weekend but return this Saturday in an away game against Reservoir.
