OUTSIDE of big-name recruit Paul O’Shea, who has 20 goals in six Western Region Football League division 2 matches this season, Wyndhamvale has lacked the firepower inside forward 50 to kick a winning score against the premiership- contending sides.
So, the Falcons turned to swingman Daniel Bunworth, who went some way to alleviating that problem with four goals in Saturday’s hard fought 15-point win over Sunshine Heights at Wyndhamvale Reserve.
Bunworth presents a dilemma for the Falcons, the classic case of wishing you could have one of him at either end.
He is more than capable in defence, on the ball or up forward, so player-coach Luke Dennerley has to use him where he sees fit against a particular opposition.
With O’Shea booting two goals, below his goals per game average, the decision to move Bunworth forward was a match winner in a close game.
‘‘He plays everywhere, whether it be midfield, onball or back. It’s a week to week proposition on match-ups and where we need to stretch opposition or where they’re stretching us,’’ Falcons paying football manager Nathan Evans told the Weekly.
‘‘He played really well, took some really good pack marks and kicked a few.
‘‘Without O’Shea kicking a great deal, it was good to see him pop up.’’
The Falcons were in desperate search of a pick-me-up after a tough opening five weeks to start the season. They had beaten up on the lesser lights, but lost to contenders Glenorden and Parkside in that time.
Sunshine Heights, a notoriously tough nut to crack and one that is relishing life in the second tier after a frustrating period in the top flight, presented a chance for the Falcons to claim a real scalp.
As predicted, the Falcons were made to work for it every step of the way, but they found a way.
‘‘We needed to play some good footy in a hard game,’’ Evans said. ‘‘That’s what we got against Sunny Heights. They’re a good side, they’re a proud club and we know from the history of the last few years, they don’t go down without fighting.
‘‘They’re known for having a dip till the final sire. They did that and we were rapt to get over the line.’’
The Falcons are renowned for their hard running from first whistle to last.
They also have one of the most miserly defences in the competition.
The Heights kicked a woeful 10 goals from 26 scoring shots, but that was largely due to the discipline of the Falcons backline that forced them into difficult shots all afternoon.
‘‘They didn’t get a great deal of set shots for goal and if they were, they were on really tight angles and there weren’t many right out in front,’’ Evans said. ‘‘That’s a credit to our backs for really squeezing the opposition and making them lead wide.’
Noa Fonua, the cousin of Melbourne Storm star Mahe, is proving a shrewd acquisition for the Falcons.
The bull-at-a-gate onballer was recruited from Lancefield only weeks ago and is already showing his worth. ‘‘He’s set the place alight,’’ Evans said.
‘‘Come the business end of the year, he’s going to be very important for us with his head over the ball attitude and the way he goes about it.’’
Others to influence the win included Devan Ellis, Cameron Beazley and Jayden Wood.
The Falcons will face Albanvale on the road at Robert Bruce Reserve on Saturday.
WRFL
DIVISION 1
Around the grounds: Albion 8.5 (53) lt Deer Park 26.20 (176), Altona 27.11 (173) d Port Melbourne Colts 7.5 (47), Spotswood 50.28 (328) d North Footscray 0.3 (3), Sunshine 21.14 (140) d Hoppers Crossing 10.17 (77), Yarraville-Seddon 11.8 (74) lt St Albans 18.11 (119).
Next round: Deer Park v North Footscray, Hoppers Crossing v Altona, Port Melbourne Colts v Albion, St Albans v Sunshine, Yarraville-Seddon v Spotswood.
DIVISION 2
Around the grounds: Albanvale 16.10 (106) lt West Footscray 17.10 (112), Braybrook 18.13 (121) d Sanctuary Lakes 9.11 (65), Laverton Magpies 3.5 (23) lt Parkside 34.20 (224), Wyndhamvale 13.13 (91) d Sunshine Heights 10.16 (76), Glenorden 24.11 (155) d Manor Lakes 9.4 (58).
Next round: Albanvale v Wyndhamvale, Braybrook v Laverton Magpies, Manor Lakes v West Footscray, North Sunshine v Glenorden, Sunshine Heights v Parkside, Sanctuary Lakes v Caroline Springs.
