Tara Murray
Wyndhamvale overcame a less than ideal lead up to its match with West Footscray to come away with a big win in Western Region Football League division 2.
As the flu hit the club during the week, the Falcons were kept off the track.
Falcons coach Luke Wenlock said both teams had struggled during the week with illness.
“We had the flu go through us as did West Footscray,” he said.
“We had 20 with the flu so we cancelled training on Tuesday night. It’s the first time I’ve seen anything like that.”
Once on the field, the Falcons were in control on the scoreboard all day, on the way to a 34.21 (225)-6.5 (41) win.
Despite leading at every break. Wenlock wasn’t impressed with the first half. The struggling Roosters won the second quarter.
“We weren’t happy with the second quarter,” he said. “We were able to respond after half time when we were only five to six goals up.
“We’re a bit of a younger side and we didn’t quite have our eye on the ball and lacked the intensity needed.
“The boys got their confidence in what they were doing. They’re young and it’s a lesson that they will hopefully learn from.”
Ambrose Keogh kicked five goals, a shift from his normal role as a defender.
Co-captains Jack Tessari and Alexander Hamilton kicked four goals each.
Wenlock said Cameron Morrison in the midfield and Tessari both played really good games.
He said the move of Hamilton into the ruck in the second half set the tone for the rest of the group.
The win was the Falcons fourth of the season. Wenlock said they could have quite easily had a couple more on the board.
He said after being hunted the last couple of seasons, the competition was more even.
“Point Cook Centrals and Parkside have both recruited well,” he said
“We looked to bring some younger blokes in who were 17, 18 who we’re not expecting to play important roles this season, but with one eye for the future.”
Wenlock said a couple of the young guys in Noah Cooney and Nathan Griffiths had been good and were holding their spots in the senior team.
The Falcons this week face Parkside, which suffered their first loss of the season on Saturday.
Wenlock said it would be a good test for them,
“Round one against Parkside still hurts a bit,” he said. “We were four goals up.
“I think we have both improved since round one and we always look forward to playing them.”
Point Cook Centrals sit clear on top of the ladder, after their win against Parkside.
The Centrals claimed the win, 13.11 (89)-3.4 (22).
In other results, Newport beat Glen Orden and North Footscray beat Albion.
In division 1, Werribee Distrcts beat Yarraville Seddon, while Hoppers Crossing and Point Cook lost to Altona and Spotswood respectively.
Caroline Springs and Deer Park also got wins.
In division 3, Sunshine Heights, Albanvale and Braybrook were the winners.
