Keilor Park Football Club expected a tough season in Essendon District Football League division 2 – and that’s exactly what it’s getting.
After shocking everyone last season by making finals, the Devils went into this year with the focus on rebuilding.
The club believes it is the best way forward to build a strong future, even if it means short-term pain.
Having lost more than half the team that played in last season’s elimination final and with few replacements, the Devils are winless so far this season.
That continued on Saturday when they went down 23.14 (152)-10.4 (64) to East Sunbury. Errol Salih starred up forward and kicked seven goals. Brett Thomas was named the Devils’ best.
Speaking before the match, Devils coach Marcus Barclay said while the win-loss record might not look good, the future of the club was looking bright.
“Last year, we turned the whole place around and managed to make finals,” he said.
“We’ve had 13 players from our finals team last year that haven’t returned and most of them have retired. They were in their 30s and their bodies were banged up.
“We sat down and decided then [that] rather than going again this year, we’d have a year of consolidation.”
Barclay said that despite low expectations this season, it was disappointing not to have won a match. He said that in many games, the Devils had been more competitive than the scoreboard suggested.
Barclay said the players were staying positive.
“We’ve got a nucleus there and they are really working hard,” he said.
“We’re keeping them focused on what the future holds. Most of the playing group is between 20 and 25 and we’ve got under-17s for the first time in six years.
“We’re giving them plenty of opportunities to play senior football.”
Barclay said trying players in different positions was another focus, with Chris Thomas, Jake Gatto, Jesse and John-Carlo Ravanello easily adapting to new roles.
With nine rounds left, the Devils would love to notch up a couple of wins.
“We’ve been competitive in some games and you never know what might happen in the second part of the year,” Barclay said.
In other matches, Burnside Heights shocked Roxburgh Park to seal its second win of the season. The Bears won 15.12 (102)-12.8 (80).
In division 1, Hillside had a one-point win against Airport West and Taylors Lakes had the bye.
Keilor had a massive win against Craigieburn in premier division.
