WYNDHAMVALE player-coach Luke Dennerley means so much to his club that it was top priority to salute in his 100th game in the green and gold.
The Falcons played their hearts out for their leader, crushing West Footscray Roosters by 77 points in the Western Region Football League division 2.
It gave running half-back Dennerley, a four-time division 2 player of the year member and 2009 club best and fairest, the chance to sing the song on his milestone day.
“It was really good to get a win on his 100th game,” Falcons forward Nathan Evans told the Weekly.
“He’s just brought a new level of professionalism to the club.
“We certainly wouldn’t be anywhere near where we are now if it wasn’t for his influence.”
The Falcons were eager to atone for their loss to Glenorden a week earlier in the Wyndham derby. They were fairly methodical in their dismantling of the Roosters, until the need to pierce the big sticks.
The Falcons had 35 scoring shots to eight in a powerful offensive and defensive showing, but cost themselves an even greater percentage boost on the back of a woeful 16.19 return, albeit in windy conditions.
“The inability to convert was the only disappointing thing on the day,” Evans said.
“The bonus is we’re getting the ball forward enough and we have enough forward entries into the 50. We’ve just got to now put them through and convert properly.”
Paul O’Shea, once listed with the Western Bulldogs, was the talk of Honour Avenue on Saturday night.
The key forward booted seven goals and could be the missing link in the Falcons forward line.
“There’s no doubt we need to be kicking more goals,” Evans said.
“That’s primarily going to be his role.”
The Falcons bullied the Roosters to win first use in the centre.
Captain Jayden Wood and Devan Ellis were always at the coalface.
“They’re just unstoppable in there,” Evans said. “Their ability to break tackles, read the ball off hands and continue with their follow up is just second to none in division 2.”
The Falcons will visit the struggling Laverton Magpies on Saturday.
The Magpies are coming off a stunning loss to North Sunshine, which claimed its first win since July 26, 2008.
