Is North Footscray the real deal?
The question needs to be taken seriously after the Devils notched a fifth successive win on Saturday, beating Glenorden by 145 points at Heathdale Oval in division 2 of the Western Region Football League.
But the next two weeks will provide a clearer picture of how seriously to take the Devils, as they round out the home-and-away campaign with key finals lead-up games against top-two sides West Footscray and Wyndhamvale.
For so long, the second tier appeared to be a two-horse race, but the Devils are positioning to be the third contender.
“We locked our finals spot away and we have momentum,” Devils coach Matt Walsh told
Star Weekly. “Two huge games ahead will give us a really good test leading into finals.”
GALLERY: VIEW MORE PICTURES FROM THIS MATCH HERE
The Devils have a rare luxury at this late stage of the season of being relatively free of injury.
A side that made a large number of additions in the off-season has had plenty of time to gel and will only get stronger as a unit the longer the season goes on. That’s an ominous sign for the rest of the finalists.
“With so many new players it was always going to take time,” Walsh said. “The guys are really starting to come together at the right time of the year.
“We’re close to having our best team on the park, bar ruckman Tyson Bock who is suspended.”
The Devils racked up a cricket score in the 31.16 (202) – 8.9 (57) win over Glenorden.
They showcased their attacking riches with 10 individual goalkickers, including six to Lucas Hall, five to Kieran Murphy and four each to best-on-ground Blake Pilkington, Josh van den Berg and Anthony Nicholls.
Kaine Williams, the Devils’ leading marksman with 46 goals, kicked only three.
“We’re not just reliant on one person,” Walsh said.
“It was a really good spread of goalkickers and any one of our forwards can hit the scoreboard at any time, which is a real positive.
“There were no real passengers out there.
“You need 22 contributors on the day and that’s what wins you finals.”
The Devils will host long-time rival West Footscray at Hansen Reserve on Saturday.
They are the only side in the competition who they are yet to beat this season.
“They’ve had the wood on us – they’ve beaten us twice this year,” Walsh said.
“We’re hoping to get one back on our home ground.”
West Footscray will also enter the game on the back of a five-game winning run after a 197-point trouncing of confirmed wooden spooners Sunshine Heights.
In division 1, Altona staved off a challenge from lowly Albion to win by seven points and edge closer to a finals berth.
Spotswood had a bye and it hurt them in the standings, as the Woodsmen dropped from second to fourth after wins to Werribee Districts and Hoppers Crossing.
In division 3, Parkside had a 51-point win over Laverton in the clash of the Magpies to keep hold of second spot on the ladder.
The loss eliminated Laverton from the finals race.
