The Suns season came to an end with a best-afield performance from first-year senior player Henry Lovell and an eight-goal haul from sharpshooter Matthew Turcinovich lifting West Footscray to victory in Sunday’s semi-final.
The Roosters will face minor premier Wyndhamvale this weekend for a spot in the Western Football League division 2 grand final, while the Suns’ promising campaign has come to an end.
West Footscray trailed at half-time before gaining the ascendancy to secure an 18-point win, 14.18 (102)-12.12 (84).
With prime mover Jaycob Doyle missing because of illness, Lovell stood tall to ensure his team kept its premiership hopes alive.
“He was super. It (Doyle’s absence) probably put a bit more pressure on Henry, but he really stepped up and was a ball winner,“ Roosters coach Troy Beamond said.
Turcinovich booted eight for the third time in 2025 to lift his season tally to 77 from games.
“He’s had a fantastic year and he deserves what he gets,“ Beamond said.
“I can’t remember him ever missing a training session, he gets there early, he has shots on goal before training, he’s clean below his knees and he deserves every reward or success he gets.“
Matthew Wright (three goals), Daniel O’Leary and Joshua Foster led the way for the Suns.
“We were a bit scratchy early and (the Suns) capitalised early, but the way we fought through that, persevered and kept impacting the contest was extremely pleasing,“ Beamond said.
“Our ball use late probably separated (the two teams) a bit, and our run. I think we’ve been a pretty strong running side all year and we do rotate fairly heavily, so we can generally run out a game pretty well.
“Our midfield probably had its colours lowered a little bit early, but particularly in the second half I thought Henry Lovell and Jai Haines really got on top.“
