Wyndhamvale does not shy away from the fact it has been a battler in the Western Region Football League senior ranks over the years.
The younger supporters have become accustomed to deep finals runs in the past five years without tasting the ultimate glory.
That all changed on Sunday when the Falcons won the division 2 grand final against West Footscray and booked their place in division 1 next season, alongside power clubs such as Deer Park, Spotswood and Werribee Districts.
The Falcons’ elder statesmen could appreciate what it meant for the green and gold streamers to be flapping off the premiership cup.
They had waited 21 years just to experience a senior grand final, let alone collecting their first premiership cup in the seniors. As the years wore on, that day seemed to get further away, until Nathan Evans took over as coach about eight years ago, then Luke Dennerley got on board in a smooth succession, with Mark Elso was always in the picture.
The three spent years on their famous red couch formulating a plan for ultimate success, only to be knocked down a peg with every preliminary final defeat.
Evans and Dennerley arguably put the Falcons back on the map.
They spread the word about the club on the radio, in local newspapers and on social media – whether it was a winning season or one in which they bowed out early.
Their enthusiasm rubbed off on the players and instilled a level of professionalism not seen at the club in years.
Dennerley took it up a notch when Evans passed on the baton.
A running half-back, Dennerley featured in Sunday’s premiership team.
He was not going to let a troublesome calf have him miss one of the great days in club history.
“He’s the heart and soul of this club,” Evans said.
For all that Evans, Dennerley and Elso did for the Falcons in this and years past, the club made the right choice in bringing in Troy Beamond to coach this season.
They needed to add an extra dimension to the team to get over the preliminary final hurdle and Beamond was seen as the finishing touch.
“He’s one of the premier guys I’ve met as far as reading a game of football,” Evans said.
