It has been a two steps forward, one step back kind of season for defending premier North Footscray in Western Region Football League division 2.
The Devils are seemingly back on track thanks to two convincing wins – but they will proceed with caution.
Devils player-coach Jonathan Miller reckons Saturday’s 73-point win over Parkside at Hansen Reserve was close to the best footy his side has played all season.
After trailing by 16 points at quarter-time, the Devils kicked 16 of the last 18 goals of the game.
“It was a disappointing start, but on the other hand we had an 89-point turnaround in the final three quarters,” Miller said. “It shows how damaging we can be.
“I know our best is good enough. Three quarters is still pleasing and I’d say it was our most consistent performance of the year, bar that first quarter.”
North Footscray got the wake up call it needed in a heavy defeat to premiership front runner Yarraville-Seddon three weeks ago.
“We had a few words after that game and a few home truths from some blokes,” Miller said. “We basically committed to get the rock star footy out of our game.
“We’re absolutely rapt with the response over the last two games.”
Reece Duffield was the cornerstone of North Footscray’s runaway win over Parkside.
The ruckman walked away with best-on-ground honours after giving the Devils first use of the ball and impacting on aerial contests around the ground.
“His tap work is second to none and his fitness base for a big bloke is phenomenal,” Miller said. “He gets behind the footy and sits right where you want a ruckman to sit.”
Kieran Murphy was back to his crafty best.
The wingman was a prolific ball winner and a threat when resting forward, kicking five goals.
“He went back to his old bag of tricks and kicked three of his goals from the pocket on his left foot,” Miller said.
In a North Footscray side looking for consistency, Caiden Vorano has delivered since locking down a senior berth.
Vorano continues to set the tone for the Devils with his unwavering attack on the football and willingness to work hard defensively.
“His pressure and ferocity has probably been number one for us lately,” Miller said.
North Footscray remains third on the ladder, two games behind Yarraville-Seddon and Point Cook. It will square off with arch rival West Footscray at Shorten Reserve on Saturday.
Elsewhere in division 2, Corey Salvador bagged six goals as Yarraville-Seddon cruised to a 106-point win over West Footscray.
The Eagles will face Point Cook at Saltwater Reserve this Saturday.
Newport Power had a heartbreaking two-point loss to Manor Lakes.
In division 1, Spotswood managed to hold Wyndhamvale goal-less in a 114-point win, while Altona suffered its third loss in four games, going down to Deer Park by 23 points.
In division 3, fourth placed Braybrook created a three-game buffer between the top four and the rest by beating a gallant Laverton.
