Like a good midfielder, the Western Region Football League has spent the past 12 months trying to shake off a hard tag.
With the league long known for lopsided results, officials invested in a serious shake-up in an effort to reduce blowout games.
The WRFL implemented a three-tier competition, with the hope that Saturday afternoon smashings would become rarities instead of the norm.
It hasn’t taken long for the move to reap rewards with average winning margins slashed in the first eight rounds of the season.
After eight rounds last season, 57 matches had been decided by more than 100 points. That has dropped to just 25 in 2015.
By this time last season, 13 matches had been won by more than 200 points. That has dropped to just two.
Across all three senior divisions, only two teams have yet to win a match.
WRFL football operations manager David Newton praised the clubs for backing the move and embracing the changes.
“The feedback has been nothing but positive,” he said.
“The consultation work we put in with the clubs prior to making the decision certainly made it a seamless transition.
“These figures are only for eight rounds but it’s a reflection of how the competition has changed in a short time.”
After welcoming new clubs Manor Lakes, Sanctuary Lakes, Wyndham Suns and Tarneit into the league in recent years, the WRFL may be getting another addition in coming seasons.
Newton said he expected junior club Newport Power to branch into the seniors in either 2016 or 2017.
“They have now had under-18’s for three years,” he said.
“There is consideration from them to move into the seniors. We’re continuing to work with them.
“It may not happen in 2016 but, if not, we expect it to happen in 2017.”
