Outgoing North Footscray coach David Battistella reflected proudly on a season of progress after Saturday’s Western Football League grand final loss to Wyndhamvale.
Battistella, a premiership coach at the Devils and East Keilor, has made the decision to step down after leading the club back to the big stage in division 2.
North Footscray lifted itself from eighth in 2024 to runner-up, losing the decider by 35 points.
Battistella departs confident the Devils are in a strong position for success in coming years and said a succession plan was close to being finalised.
“I told them (the players) probably six weeks ago,” Battistella said.
“I just felt like the timing was right. With the position the club’s in, I can comfortably walk away now.
“Unfortunately, we just fell short of the ultimate fairytale, but I’m not complaining.
“The club already has things in process, so that’ll be announced soon enough.
“The way it’s been set up, for the players it will be barely an adjustment, which we’re very comfortable with.”
The Devils were the only team to knock off Wyndhamvale in 2025 and entered the decider riding the high of consecutive wins over the minor premier.
The Falcons outclassed the Devils in the second half, however, to secure their second senior premiership.
The two teams will likely be among the contenders again next season, with no promotion and relegation after Sunshine, Albion and Newport joined division 1 this year.
“As soon as the three teams went up, everyone always knew Wyndhamvale were probably going to be the team to beat,” Battistella said.
“Then you gave yourself a big chance, as long as you improved a little bit, to make finals. That was our goal.
“As the year went on and we were the team that beat Wyndhamvale, you start to dream a little bit I suppose.
“I think we’ve exceeded all expectations. Now the boys are set up to launch next year, but it’s not going to get any easier.”
Wyndhamvale’s accurate goalkicking and superior disposal proved telling in the decider.
Jackson Ryan, Barnaby Sianos (two goals), Brody Vorano, Mitchell Donovan, Adam Petridis, Lachlan Peterson were named the Devils’ best.
“They (the players) were probably more disappointed just because there were moments in the game when I felt we could get a bit of momentum. We had a lot of football,” Battistella said.
“Unfortunately, Wyndhamvale were just much cleaner than us – not just on the scoreboard, but they were cleaner around the ground.”
Battistella said North Footscray had recovered from the brink of folding two years ago to qualify for a grand final.
“Two years ago, at the end of 2023, we were very close to folding,” he said.
“We had 80 registered players (in 2025), and a lot have also re-signed, so the club’s in a very healthy spot now.”
