A week was a long time in football for North Footscray in the Western Region Football League division 2 competition.
After an upset loss to Braybrook last week, the Devils used the week to reset ahead of the biggest challenge, an undefeated Wyndhamvale.
The work paid off as they were able to get their biggest win of the season and end the Falcons winning run, 11.13 (79)-8.9 (57).
Devils coach David Battistella said they had spoke about how things could change quickly during the week.
“Last week wasn’t as bad on the inside,” he said. “Braybrook has played some good footy.
“We’ve had a lot of games which could have gone either way and we’ve got away from them in the end.
“We couldn’t get away. It was a learning curve. I told them it was just a loss and it wasn’t the end of the day.”
Battistella said the Falcons hadn’t given a side a look in until Saturday’s game.
His side were able to lead at each of the breaks but the Falcons had stayed in reaching distance.
The margin was 23 points at three quarter time.
While the Falcons won the last quarter, the Devils had done enough to get the win.
“We had a plan to utilise against Wyndhamvale,” he said. “It seemed to work.
“It was a physical game and it could have gone either way.
“We defended a little bit better or had a bit of luck that got us over the line.”
Barney Sianos kicked three goals for the Devils, while Jarrod Spry and Archie Thomson kicked two goals each.
Battistella said he could have listed every player in the best as everyone played their roles.
Adam Petridis, Kyle Rodgers and Sianos were named the best three online.
Daniel Duggan, Lachlan Peterson, Thomson and Mathew Serafin were others mentioned by Battistella who had good days out.
Battistella said the result would give the young group plenty of confidence that when they get things right on the day they are a hard team to beat.
He said they need to keep the same mindset heading into their future games.
It was a good day for the club with the reserves also entering the Falcons unbeaten start to the season.
North Footscray remains in second spot, but the gap to the Falcons is just four points.
The Devils face the Western Rams this Saturday.
Battistella said it would be a big day for the club.
“It is our past players day,” he said. “We have also contacted Beyond Blue.
“One of my ex-teammates took his life a few years ago. It’s a good way to recognise him and get the message out there that it’s OK to say that you aren’t OK.”
In other results, West Footscray beat Braybrook, 16.21 (117)-15.4 (94).
Laverton lost to the Suns, 17.12 (114)-7.12 (54).
Meanwhile, Yarraville Seddon and Spotswood got wins in division 1, while Altona and Newport suffered losses.
