A best-afield performance from first-year senior player Henry Lovell and an eight-goal haul from sharpshooter Matthew Turcinovich lifted West Footscray to victory over the Suns in Sunday’s semi-final.
The Roosters will face minor premier Wyndhamvale this weekend for a spot in the Western Football League division 2 grand final.
West Footscray trailed at half-time before gaining the ascendancy to secure an 18-point win, 14.18 (102)-12.12 (84).
With prime mover Jaycob Doyle missing because of illness, Lovell stood tall to ensure his team kept its premiership hopes alive.
“He was super. It (Doyle’s absence) probably put a bit more pressure on Henry, but he really stepped up and was a ball winner,” Roosters coach Troy Beamond said.
Turcinovich booted eight for the third time in 2025 to lift his season tally to 77 from games.
“He’s had a fantastic year and he deserves what he gets,” Beamond said.
“I can’t remember him ever missing a training session, he gets there early, he has shots on goal before training, he’s clean below his knees and he deserves every reward or success he gets.”
Chris Long, Otis Storti, Jai Haines and Johny Ho also fired for the winners.
“We were a bit scratchy early and (the Suns) capitalised early, but the way we fought through that, persevered and kept impacting the contest was extremely pleasing,” Beamond said.
“Our ball use late probably separated (the two teams) a bit, and our run. I think we’ve been a pretty strong running side all year and we do rotate fairly heavily, so we can generally run out a game pretty well.
“Our midfield probably had its colours lowered a little bit early, but particularly in the second half I thought Henry Lovell and Jai Haines really got on top.”
West Footscray has lost both meetings with Wyndhamvale this season, but Beamond – a former senior coach at the Falcons – is hopeful his team can complete an upset.
“There’s two games all year that ladder positions and the results in the season don’t mean a lot, and I think they’re the preliminary final and grand final,” he said.
“No matter where you come from, they’re genuine 50-50 contests.
“We’ve just got to go out there and throw everything at it and try to put a bit of pressure back on them.”
Beamond will also continue as coach in 2026 after initially deciding to step down from the top job.
“I was able to free up a little bit of time with work and just the change in circumstances,” he said.
“It was a little bit awkward because you step down and then you throw your hat back in the ring, but the club’s been great about it, the players have been fantastic.”
