By Tara Murray
The Western Football League senior men put in a commanding performance as it made a winning return to interleague.
The WFL hosted the Southern Football League on Saturday at Avalon Airport Oval in a big day for the league.
While the weather gods didn’t shine on the match up, the WFL was able to come away with a solid win, 10.16 (76)-9.8 (62).
Western coach Chris Muratore said it was a really great experience to be part of.
“It started a couple of weeks ago and we emphasised with the group that we wanted it to be a great experience, win, lose or draw,” he said.
“We wanted to have fun and this is why we do it. To come out on top after the last couple of weeks has been fantastic.”
Muratore said he was really happy with the squad they had put together and that there was a real good bond between the group.
He said all the guys were there for the right reason
“It was really special the buy-in of everyone and everyone wanted to be there. They were determined to win and wanted to play as a team, not 23 individuals.”
Western got out to a good start with the only three goals of the first quarter. Southern was able to reduce the margin at half time, but Western had missed its chances.
The Western made good use of the scoring end in the third quarter to extend the lead to 29 points at the final break.
Southern came hard in the final quarter but it wasn’t enough with Western holding on.
“We were in control until the last eight minutes of the game,” Muratore said. “We had 26 scoring shots and had another five or six go out on the full.
“We were in full control. At half time the game looked good for us and we had to keep on going.
“They took the game on late and it could have gone one way or the other. They came home hard and were able to hold on.”
Parkside forward Tom Condon was awarded the best on ground medal. Muratore said he kicked four or five goals, and missed five shots as well.
Muratore said Darcy McPherson on the wing was stiff not to win the medal, while his brother Caleb, who captained the side, led the way in the middle of the ground.
The coach said they had a lot of contributors across the board with everyone contributing.
With a successful return to interleague, Muratore said he hopes it returns again.
He said the standard of the game was higher than some VFL matches.
“After the game I got some really nice messages and conversations about how they enjoyed the program.
“You could see in their eyes on Thursday night the genuinely wanted to play and got going.
“I think 95 per cent will want to play again.
“Hopefully they’ll go back to their local clubs and say it was a great experience.”
