By Tara Murray
North Footscray coach David Battistella feels the Western Football League division 2 club hasn’t been in this good a position for a number of years.
After nearly folding after the 2023 season, the Devils have turned things around on and off the field creating a real buzz.
Battistella, who has spent most of his life at the club, said it was really exciting to see where the club was now.
“It was definitely good to get off to a winning start,” he said. “It’s good for the players and the club.
“In December 2023, we were close to shutting the doors. Last season we had two sides but a lot of players doubled up.
“Yesterday [Saturday] we had three senior teams for the first time in a long time. It’s been a massive turnaround.”
Battistella said they had added a number of players to their senior side and it had flowed into the reserves.
With enough players they will field a thirds side this season. Battistella said it was massive with the club not having juniors, so it was players coming into the club.
“We’ve been able to get a couple of players back from a couple of years ago,” he said. “We got some new players, friends of friends, people that we targeted and sons of past players.
“I’ve been here a long time and five years in this stint. It’s been a long time since we’ve had a third senior team.”
Battistella said they had more than 10 players come into the senior squad with several of them having an impact in the Devils first up win against Braybrook.
The Devils did enough to win, 14.13 (97)-12.9 (81).
Battistella said it was a game of ups and downs.
“It started close before we controlled the game in the middle stages,” he said. “Whether it was complacency or Braybrook stepped it up, they got back into it.
“We struggled with the run but had been able to build up a lead to still get us over the line.”
Mathew Serafin kicked four goals for the Devils.
Samuel Gunesekera, Sebastian Turnbull and Joshua Crofton were named their best.
Stephen Mihelakos-james kicked four goals for Braybrook and was named its best.
Battistella said like most of the clubs they were aiming to play finals in a competition that has opened up with the top three teams all being promoted.
“We want to play finals and expect to play finals,” he said. “If you don’t set goals to reach, what are you teaching the boys?
“It will be a close competition.”
The Devils will get a good test of where they are sitting this Saturday, as they face Wyndhamvale.
The Falcons go in as favourites this season as the only team from last year’s top four still in the division.
Battistella said it would be a good test for them.
In other results, West Footscray was too strong for Laverton, winning 16.12 (108)-11.5 (71).
Wyndhamvale, Sunshine Heights and Albanvale were the other winners.
