A slow first quarter in Saturday’s preliminary final put pay to West Footscray’s grand final hopes.
The Roosters were hoping to make the Western Football League division 2 grand final, but faced the tough task of beating minor premiers Wyndhamvale on Saturday.
The Falcons, coming off just their second loss of the season, were in front from the first whistle.
A 55-2 first quarter meant the game was all but over at quarter time.
While the Roosters were able to limit the danger in the second quarter, the Falcons made sure there would be no comeback with eight goals in the third quarter.
West Footscray won the final quarter but it was to no avail, with the Falcons winning, 21.18 (144)-10.16 (76).
Roosters coach Troy Beamond said they knew the Falcons were going to come out strongly, but they weren’t able to stop them.
“It was a very tough day,” he said. “They jumped us and it’s hard to chase in a final.
“We expected them to come out hard. They had a strong breeze they were kicking with in the first quarter.
“It was almost a perfect storm and we were so far down at quarter time.”
Beamond said they missed some really gettable chances in the second quarter which could have reduced the margin and perhaps give themselves a sniff heading into the second half.
He said with the deficit they had, they couldn’t afford to be wasteful in front of goal.
The second half was then much of the same with the Falcons pile on the pressure while kicking with the wind, and the Roosters not making the most of their opportunities.
Henry Lovell was the only multiple goalkicker for the Roosters with two goals.
He was named among the best with Jai Haines and Damian Furlong.
While disappointed with the way they finished the season, Beamond said there were a lot of positives heading into next year.
Beamond will coach the side after initially announcing he would step up due to work commitments.
“While it was disappointing to finish the season we did, it was a really pleasing season,” he said.
“We’ve been really developing for the future and our under-18s are in the grand final.
“Once we get over our disappointment from yesterday [Saturday], it’s a really good base and vice around the club.”
Beamond said the whole club was excited for the under-18s to get their opportunity in the grand final against Point Cook Centrals.
Beamond said they were already trying to recruit for next season.
Wyndhamvale will now face North Footscray, which had the weekend off in the division 2 grand final on Saturday at Yarraville Oval.
