It’s more than about the scoreboard for Tarneit in the Western Football League division 2 competition.
The Titans knew they were likely in for a tough 2025 season but have shown some development throughout the season.
On Saturday, they fell agonisingly short of their first win of the season as they lost a thriller to Sunshine Heights.
Titans skipper Zach Thornton said they hadn’t been in that sort of position this year and it showed as they lost 8.13 (61)-9.4 (58).
“We did a lot of good things before we let them get on top,” he said. “We then left our run a little too late.
“We have got such a young group and we haven’t been winning and not in positions to be close in games.
“In three of our last five games, we’ve been solid post the bye.”
Thornton said after not having the intent the last couple of weeks, it was good to see them get back to playing football the way they wanted to.
Jayden Smithers, Jacob Millar and Will Magher were named the Titans best in the loss. Magher was the only multiple goalkickers with two goals.
Despite not having a win on the board this season, Thornton said they had seen the group really make some inroads.
The Titans are fielding a young playing group this season.
“Every player that played yesterday [Saturday] is better than the start of the year,” he said.
”We’re developing these guys not just as footballers, but their game awareness. They are getting better and we’re not losing off the field.
“We are getting walloped on the scoreboard but it’s not as bad as what it shows.”
Thornton said the playing group was really buying into what they were doing and had been keen to stick around and help the club through the tough times.
He said while they were keen to hit the scoreboard in the last few rounds they were looking at the bigger picture and what they can do in the future.
“They are better players and have better connections,” he said.
“In the last four weeks we play four of the top five sides. Everything is bigger than the next four weeks.
“For our point of view it’s all about the positives and stacking things up and we will be better next year.
“We’re only going to get better and better. We want to have close competitive games against sides in finals.
“It will happen organically.”
In other results, Wyndhamvale claimed the victory against the Western Rams, 11.22 (88)-3.1 (19).
Lewis Stanton kicked five goals for the Falcons.
Nathan Griffiths, Alex Mackinnon and Ryley McGaw were named their best.
The Suns fell short against West Footscray after leading at three quarter time. The Roosters won, 13.9 (87)-10.13 (73).
The Suns remain in fourth spot.
Braybrook and North Footscray were the other winners.
