WYNDHAMVALE has failed to capture the imagination of pundits like it had in previous Western Region Football League division 2 finals series.
The Falcons have been a “Jekyll and Hyde” prospect in the words of coach Luke Dennerley, with inconsistency costing them a shot at a double chance. Let’s face it, their shock 110-point round 16 loss to Parkside did little to seduce the tipsters.
But other factors are also in play as reasons for the Falcons up-and-down season, having the rough end of the stick in a compromised draw and accommodating a larger than normal turnover of players for a club that has been so settled in Dennerley’s four-year reign.
While the Falcons have been a permanent fixture in the finals and will enter Sunday’s elimination final with Sunshine Heights as favourites on the back of a 14-4 season, Dennerley warned against using past finals experience as a form guide.
“It’s been a generational shift for us, we’ve changed the list a bit and it’s taken a bit of adjusting,” he told the Weekly.
“Our senior team is markedly different this year, and I can’t underline that enough.
“If you dish out the stuff in terms of list and coaching, you’re going to get the same results.
“This is my fourth year and we’ve looked at things a bit differently, our game style has evolved and they’ve done really well to grab a hold of it, but that probably won’t come to full fruition for another season.”
The Falcons know their best football can push them into September, but seldom have they shown it. For a quarter here and a half there, the Falcons are the genuine article, but even Dennerley is frustrated by the inconsistency brought about by the new-look squad and a redefined game plan.
“It’s about stringing them together in the one game,” he said. “Our best football for long enough is good enough to not only rattle the cage but to beat those top sides.
‘‘I need to caution that comment in that we have been in a position in the last couple of weeks to play consistent footy and we’ve taken the foot off the gas, so I’m hoping the fellas have a steely resolve to bring the intensity for 120 minutes.”
The Falcons should get some love from the tippers in the do-or-die final against Sunshine Heights at Chirnside Park on Sunday, despite first-choice ruckman Nathan Reschke and star recruit Paul O’Shea set to miss with injury.
“Sunny Heights is a particularly proud footy club and I rate their hardness around the footy,” Dennerley said. “If you’re not willing to compete for four quarters against these blokes, you’ll cop your right whack.
“The expectation now is that we bring our season-best footy.”
Parkside will meet new boys Manor Lakes in the qualifying final at Chirnside Park on Saturday.
In division 1, Hoppers Crossing run away with a 66-point win over North Footscray at Hansen Reserve. Terry Knight booted eight goals for the Warriors, while Aaron Ramsay was best on ground.
