Wyndhamvale had a day out to rival its grand final win of last season at the weekend.
Against all odds, the Falcons claimed their first ever victory in the Western Region Football League’s division one. It was an 11-point upset of Spotswood on the road at McLean Reserve and a momentous occasion in Nathan Reschke’s 100th senior game.
“To have it not just against a quality side but a quality club like Spotty, it’s massive for our club,” Falcons coach Troy Beamond said.
“It was great to see a guy like that – the heart and soul of the club – get carried off after the game and celebrate our first division one win.”
Wyndhamvale offered no indication of a pending victory when Hoppers Crossing demolished them by 107 points the week before.
The Falcons managed to kick only two goals in 120 minutes of football and doubts were starting to creep in for the players.
“Hoppers was a bad game for us; we were beaten everywhere on the ground,” Beamond said.
“There was a bit of negativity five days ago. The question was, will we get a win? Now it’s when will we get our next win?”
Wyndhamvale trailed by 14 points at half-time – perhaps not a true reflection of the work it had put in to that point.
The Falcons made it hard for the Woodsmen in the first two quarters but conceded three goals in eight time-on minutes in the second term to go into the main break a bit deflated.
Beamond rallied his troops at half-time and had them firing for a six-goal third term, which was replicated with a further six in the fourth and a win come the final siren.
“We implored the boys just to take the game on,” Beamond said. “If we make mistakes and they’re positive mistakes because we’ve been taking the game on, we’ll wear that.”
Wyndhamvale was held back the week before by an over-reliance on the players considered in their top five, but that was amended this week with each and every one of the 22 players making a meaningful contribution.
Chris Graham led the way for Wyndhamvale with an outstanding captain’s game.
“That’s the best game I’ve seen him play in my year and a half at the club,” Beamond said. “He led from the front, he was physical, he was getting the ball in the right positions and really set the tone for all the boys.”
Noa Fonua kicked four goals in his return from an ankle injury.
His goal tally was matched by young gun Jesse Shell, who kicked three in the last quarter.
Devan Ellis and Brian Graham were at their best, while James Damjanovski and Aiden Boland rebounded well off half back.
Paul O’Shea had a steadying influence later on as a high forward, while Reschke took some important marks deep in defence as the minutes ticked down to the final siren.
