St Albans Football Club coach Marcus Barclay knew all he needed was one win.
Leading the Saints for the first time as senior coach, Barclay’s opening two weeks in charge saw his side lose to Western Region Football League division 1 premiership favourite Deer Park and predicted struggler Albion.
While some coaches may have hit panic stations, Barclay went back to basics.
“We changed a few things about how we set up for a game and the results came within a week,” he said.
“That always makes you laugh … you do a whole three months of training over preseason and you change everything in a week.”
Since its maiden win against Hoppers Crossing, St Albans has reached the level many WRFL fans were expecting leading into the season.
The Saints also smashed Yarraville-Seddon and took a huge scalp when they defeated last year’s grand finalist, Spotswood.
It was the first time St Albans has beaten the Woodsmen at Kings Park Reserve for 10 years.
“After the [Spotswood] game, we thought that the belief was there,” Barclay said.
“It seems to have filtered through to the players … that game has certainly given us a lot of confidence.”
After three consecutive wins, the Saints had a bye last week, leading in to a season-defining month of football.
In the next four rounds, St Albans will take on four finals contenders – Werribee Districts, Sunshine, Port Melbourne and Altona.
Barclay believes those games will shape his side’s season.
“When the draw came out, having Spotswood and Deer Park within the first four weeks, you really didn’t know what to expect,” he said.
“Then you have got that group of teams after the bye … they finished above us and just below us last year. By the time we reach round nine, I think it will have been a good measuring stick.
“If we can string some wins together and be confident or strong enough win-loss wise, there is a really good opportunity for us to get some momentum.”
