Ziad “Ziggy” Kadour enjoyed a day to remember on Saturday, with the Newport coach orchestrating a win over West Footscray in his 350th Western Region Football League game to keep the Power in the top four.
While the division 2 game was tight all day, Newport pulled away in the final term to consign the Roosters to their seventh straight loss.
Their only win of the season came in round one, also against Newport
Kadour, who began playing at Newport in his under-10 days, said he was proud to reach such a rare milestone at the Power, but was a bit embarrassed by all the attention.
“I would rather it had all stayed a little bit low-key – it got a bit out of control there,” he said. “It’s not really my style to have all the attention, but it’s great for the club, and obviously it was very humbling for me and my family.
“I started my football career as an under-10 25 years ago at Newport, so to come back … and to play my 350th with a lot of family and friends was really good.
“The main thing is that the seniors got a win and the reserves got a win, but I’m looking forward to the 351st game when it’s all just back to normal.”
West Footscray started the better of the two sides, but wasted four gettable shots from close range to leave the door open for the Power, which pounced to take an early lead through five first-quarter goals.
The home side extended its advantage in the second, matching the Roosters around the ground to lead by 23 points at the long break.
While the Roosters came out strongly in the third quarter to trail by just two goals at the final change, a six goal-to-one final quarter from the Power sealed the win and a memorable day for the home club.
Kadour said the way his side adapted and then put the Roosters away late in the game was very satisfying.
“They probably didn’t take their chances early on and we were able to settle to take that lead, so that was important for us,” he said.
“Then they dominated the third to keep it close … over the journey our fourth quarters haven’t been that great, so to come away with a big win after that final term was very pleasing.
“It may have looked dominant, but it was certainly hard fought, and I was telling the West Footscray coach after the game that they were better than a one-win team.
“It’s very tight in this grade, apart from the top two or three sides, so now we’re 4-4 and we go into a big match this week against Point Cook with a bit of momentum.”
