The first bounce is two weeks away, but Wyndhamvale should already feel like a winner in 2016.
The Falcons bravely accepted promotion to division one after winning last season’s second-tier flag, understanding how tough a proposition it will be for a club which have strived for years to get their chance to play among the WRFL’s elite.
“We know it’s going to be a massive challenge, but there’s going to be excitement and anticipation looking forward to what’s ahead,” Falcons coach Troy Beamond told Star Weekly. “I don’t think we’re daunted by it, but we’re realistic.
“We know that every team we play this year will be better than anyone we played last year. The great thing for us at the moment is there’s absolutely no pressure or expectation from outside on us. We’ve been able to concentrate on what we’re doing and fly under the radar.”
Wyndhamvale is the first club to be promoted from division two to the top flight in three seasons.
Last season, Parkside was ready to make the leap, but its premiership players were not so keen.
The Magpies endured a mass exodus on the eve of the season and were demoted to division three to get their house in order.
A year earlier, Glen Orden made the decision to remain in division 2, on the belief it would be not be able to compete with the powerhouses of the competition.
The last side to run the division 1 gauntlet was Yarraville-Seddon, who avoided relegation in year one with four wins.
With the teams in the top half of division 1 seemingly getting stronger by the year, it is not exactly enticing for certain clubs to spend the season as their whipping boys.
Wyndhamvale is out to buck the trend of easybeat promotion sides.
The Falcons believe they are better equipped than most to adapt to the higher standard of competition.
First and foremost, they have a settled senior team.
The majority of their departures came at the bottom end, which will put pressure on their depth, but will also provide opportunities for youngsters to step up.
The Falcons on-field hierarchy is almost identical to last season, with Chris Graham named captain and Alex Hamilton, Devan Ellis and Paul O’Shea part of the leadership group.
The new addition to that group is Brian Graham, the brother of Chris.
A triple league best-and-fairest winner in Traralgon, Brian has shown tremendous leadership qualities over the summer and will bolster the Falcons midfield.
“He’s our most high profile recruit, but he still went out of his way to get to know every young kid on the list,” Beamond said. “He’s a high calibre player and he trains like it, probably the hardest working, fittest guy we’ve got at the moment. He’s come in and increased the standard.”
What is for certain, Wyndhamvale will not go down through a lack of preparation.
The bulk of last year’s coaching staff has returned and have been hard at work for months.
“Our coaching staff is a very professional group,” Beamond said. “We’re already talking about every opposition and what we’ve got to do. I’ve already gone through video of all the teams from last year.”
The Falcons host Albion in the season opener on April 9 and will unfurl their premiership flag on the day.
They will introduce new recruit Josh Diaz and see the return of key defender Aidan Boland, who had last season off.
There could be the odd surprise inclusion, with youngsters Jesse Shell, Liam Scarborough, Blake Tammark and Cameron Morrison training the house down in the summer.
“The challenge of coming up to division one has given the older boys some energy and a new lease on life because they want to experience something different, but now there’s another 12 young kids that want to learn and get amongst it with the senior guys, which has provided energy to the club,” Beamond said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if three or four of them play in round one.”
