MILAWA’S senior football squad showed no signs of lethargy after the bye last weekend, running over the top of Tarrawingee at the Milawa Recreation Reserve 21.18 (144) to 6.4 (40).

The Demons missed shots on goal early, entering the quarter time break at 3.7, but worked into it as the match wore on.

An understrength Milawa backline performed exceptionally well against a determined Tarrawingee forward line, as the midfield kept the pressure on all day.

Milawa co-coach Matt Graham said the work at training had paid off in a major way, but there was always room for improvement.

“They worked really hard on the track for the two weeks prior to the game, they knew the areas we needed to improve on and they definitely executed it on the weekend,” he said.

“It seems to be a little bit of a stick in the mud for us, every week the accuracy at the start has been a little bit of a problem, but it seems to be something we improve on as the season goes on.

“We know it’s going to be a bit of a slow burn this season with the new guys gelling, they’re aware of it and we’re aware of it, now it’s just about finding those improvements week in and week out.”

Milawa’s new-look side is coming together well, with a number of first-year Demons named in the best on ground for the match.

“The gelling is getting to work together and have them all fire at the same time,” Graham said.

“On the weekend, Kyle Collisson played his best game for the club, working really well on the wings in tandem with Tyler Dunne.

“Braydon Kearns saw the benefit on the weekend with the return of Josh Roman, two likeminded footballers combining together.

“Brady Bartlett and Jared Lea have just been contesting absolutely everything, their second and third efforts have been great – they’ll continue to work and the reward will come.

Graham said the backline executed their role perfectly.

“Our backline is still being led by Mick Batey, but losing Rick Petts for the season takes a bit of leadership out of that defensive 50,” he said.

“We were missing Josh Owen who was out injured on the weekend so we had a couple of young players down there, they slotted in, knew their role, and were able to halve the contest at worst case scenario and a lot of the time they were able to rebound out of our defensive 50.

“Hopefully with the return of Josh Owen we’ll have a bit more leadership in that backline, and start working towards creating that fortress down back that we had last season.”

Tarrawingee fought hard all day, with Dylan Adams, Will Sharp, and Sam Piper turning in solid performances, while Jarrod Everitt was resolute in his 300th club game.