From here on, it’s uncharted territory for Caroline Springs Football Club.
Having never made the Western Region Football League finals series, the Lakers are on top of the table after eight rounds and looking every bit a premiership contender.
The club has bashed its way through the first third of the division 2 season and holds a staggering percentage of 351.
And while happy with what his side has achieved so far, first-year coach Scott Korczynski knows it’s just the beginning.
Now the Lakers have played every other side once, Korczynski said he was looking forward to seeing what his side had learned from the other quality teams in the competition.
“To have won six games out of seven and be on top of the ladder is fantastic for the club,” he said. “The club hasn’t been in this position before.
“We have played the three bottom teams the last three weeks and have won those games quite convincingly.
“Now we are looking forward to playing North Footscray and Yarraville in the upcoming rounds to test us again.”
Leading the charge for the Lakers has been the club’s two-pronged power forward line.
Brian Lake, fresh out of the AFL, has booted 27 goals from six games and has formed an outstanding combination up front with off season recruit 39-year-old Mathew Sutton, who is leading the competition with 44 goals.
While happy with their output from a scoring perspective, Korczynski said both men had also proved to be great leaders for the playing group.
“Sutts hasn’t missed a beat,” he said.
“From a training point of view he really sets the example coming back from a year out.
“He trains just as hard as the rest of the guys and the boys really look up to him.
“Brian just loves getting out there and he loves the club.
“I think he enjoys having a kick without the pressures of AFL.
“His kids are playing junior footy [for us] and he is really invested in the club.”
The Lakers’ only blemish this season came in a round five loss to Yarraville by four points.
The two sides will meet again in round 12.
Before that, Caroline Springs will take on North Footscray and Glenorden.
