A year ago, the bottom could have fallen out of Sanctuary Lakes in Western Region Football League’s division 3.
The Sharks list was severely weakened when 17 players headed for the exit door before the June 30 player movement deadline.
The club made a gallant push for the finals only to be bundled out in straight sets.
It was a seminal moment for the club that led to the arrival of new coach Lee Spry in the off season and a change in philosophy.
No longer could the club afford to be living for the short term.
Spry was brought in for his long-term vision. Little victories along the way are seen as a bonus.
That’s why Saturday’s stirring two-point upset win over Tarneit at Featherbrook Reserve was more a part of the building than a step closer to a finals berth.
“It’s about changing a football club,” says Spry when asked about finals.
“This time last year, they lost 17 players before June 30, so it’s about building the club back. I want the juniors and seniors to come together.”
The most joy Spry got out of the Tarneit win was seeing homegrown youngsters Mitch Grima and Luke Coleiro playing their parts.
Coleiro was named among the best for his work on the wing, while Grima showed promise across half-forward.
The senior Sharks have taken the pair under their wings.
“The boys looked after and protected them and embrace them,” Spry said.
“After the game, when all the boys were singing the song, they were part of the side and that’s when you see your future is coming through.
“We’re a young club and we don’t have the past players like you have at your North Footscrays or Spotswoods.
“You’re lucky to have a bloke who has played 100 senior games.
“You’re building … trying to bring the juniors in and get their parents involved.
“Every time you get a kid playing his first game of senior football, it’s got to be celebrated.”
Captain Ryan Barnwell has been a superb leader for Sanctuary Lakes.
A smart footballer, he seemed to be in the right places at the right times on Saturday for the Sharks.
In one act, Russell Rich showed how much it meant to win, sacrificing his body for his teammates and the jumper.
“He’s the toughest kid in the competition by miles,” Spry said.
“He ran with the flight of the ball, got smashed, didn’t mark it, but laid the next tackle … they’re the sort of things you want in footy.”
Jai Granvillani and Dylan Creed were also huge for Sanctuary Lakes in staving off a late Tarneit comeback.
The Sharks improved to 7-4 and remain on track for the finals.
