WYNDHAMVALE recaptured its daring, hard running and entertaining brand of football for a bounce-back 16-point win over Coburg Districts in the Western Region Football League division 2 first semi-final at Crofts Reserve on Sunday.
The Falcons got stuck in their shells a week earlier in a timid qualifying final loss to Parkside and had to get back to playing with their trademark freedom to have any chance of advancement to the third week of the finals.
Falcons forward Nathan Evans said his side took the game on and reaped the rewards. “Our ability to run for the four quarters was important,” he said. “We didn’t get stuck into playing safe football.”
The Falcons were desperate to get off the a
flying start and did so with a five goals to one opening term. It laid the foundations for a
relatively comfortable victory. “We placed a big emphasis on our start,” Evans said. “We knew we would be able to out-run them if we got a good start.”
The Falcons extended their lead to 38 by three-quarter-time. The Lions made a charge with a six goals to three last term, but never seriously threatened the Falcons’ supremacy.
Thomas Westhead and Jake Styles had a big role to play in the ruck for the Falcons, with
No.1 big man Nathan Reschke looking on from the sidelines as he served the final week of a suspension. The pair competed well, but the Falcons are mighty glad that Reschke will return for Sunday’s preliminary final clash with Parkside at Crofts Reserve.
“He’s fresh as a daisy, champing at the bit to play,” Evans said. “He’s been out for a few weeks now and is raring to go. “He’s a big in for us, a big six-foot-five tough ruckman and a straight out leader.”
The mobile talls performed well for the Falcons. Swingman Daniel Bunworth and centre-half forward Michael Lubke ruled the air.
With three goals, full-forward Dean Cachia had the look in the eye that he could be on the verge of ripping a game to pieces any time now.
Whenever the Falcons were under any sort of pressure, they had Josh Van Der Munnik and James Damjanovski on hand to relieve. It was a big effort from the Falcons, but they know it will amount to nought if they cannot find a way past Parkside in the preliminary final, and alleviate the lingering memories of a heartbreaking
three-point loss to Albanvale at the corresponding stage last year.
