The stakes are high for Western Region Football League side St Albans this week.
Taking on local rivals Sunshine, the Saints go into the round five clash at 1-2 on the win-loss ledger. A win will keep their finals chances on track, while a loss puts them well and truly behind the eight ball.
In the past three years only one side has been able to recover from a 1-3 or worse start to the season and go on to make finals.
Saints’ head coach, Marcus Barclay, says his players know they need to be at their best to topple the Kangaroos.
“We’re looking forward to that game; they’re always good match-ups against Sunshine, who are really competitive against everyone, week in, week out.
“I understand they have a few new players running around and a new coach from the Essendon league,” Barclay said.
“We’re pretty sure we will have to be on our game.”
After a slow start to the season, St Albans got its first win of the year against Altona in round three. The Saints enjoyed a bye the following week.
After it dropped two winnable games in the first two rounds, Barclay felt it was only a matter of time before his side produced a four-quarter effort.
“We led against Hoppers at three-quarter time in round one and were five or six goals in front of Spotswood in round two,” he said.
“When you look back at things, we could be three and zip, but when you’re sitting at 0-2, there are no excuses.
“To get that first win on the board is great.”
It’s a new-look St Albans outfit that has taken to the field this year. Eleven fresh faces have been added to the side that contested the elimination final against Hoppers Crossing last season.
Barclay said he could feel his players starting to learn each other’s games as the weeks ticked by.
He praised especially the Saints’ backline. “Our best player in the first three games has been our fullback, Peter Dalinkiewicz. He’s been superb. In fact, our whole back six … they’re all really standing up.
“Marc Dawson, Dion Lawson and Timmy Jenkins were outstanding when we beat Altona.”
St Albans will host Sunshine at Kings Park Reserve, the seniors kicking off on Saturday at 2.15pm
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