Keilor Park believes it has the balance right for the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Roy Picone Shield.
The Devils showed good signs at times last season without putting it all together, but are hoping they have the connection right this season.
Coach Robbie Roach said they felt they were in a really good position across the club.
“We’ve got more depth,” he said. “We’ve worked on balancing the first team and for the first time in a long time we have the balance right.
“We got together and the group is nice and tight. We’re taking each week as it comes.
“Our second XI we feel we have the balance right and it’s a lot stronger.
“Guys that were playing in the firsts who were getting a game but can’t compete at that level any more have dropped down into the second side.
“We’re better across all three sides.”
The Devils picked up a number of players across the off season.
The latest of those came days out from the start of the season.
“Shaun (Morris) come across and we picked him up the Tuesday before round one,” Roach said. “He’s big asset with the bat and the ball, but has not bowled the last two years.”
It’s been a good start for the Devils with a win in its opening match and then claiming first innings points on day one of its match with Point Cook.
Speaking before day two of the match, Roach said they weren’t getting ahead of themselves. The Devils finished with four wins last season, missing out on finals.
“We started off pretty well and won a couple of early games last year,” he said.
“Then we got in a bit of a funk. We’re taking every game as it comes and we want to go 1-0 in every game.”
Roach said they hadn’t even looked past day one when they passed the Point Cook’s total despite knowing Melbourne’s unpredictable weather.
The Devils bowled the Warriors out for 117 with Corey Dennehy taking 6-18 off 10.5 overs
Trent Thomson held the Devils innings together and resumed at 64 not out with the Devils sitting 4-124.
They were bowled out for 170 on Saturday, with Thomson finished with 85.
The match ended due to rain, with Thomson finished with 85.
The Warriors were 7-70 when rain ended the match early.
Corey Dennehy took 6-25 in the second innings.
Roach said while it had taken them a long time to get to this point, it was nowhere near close to being done.
“There’s still a long way to go and hopefully end with some success,” he said.
“That is what we’re pushing for, but we know it takes time.”
In other matches in the Roy Picone Shield, Caroline Springs match with East Keilor ended in a draw.
East Keilor was 8-145 in reply to 9-343.
