Oliver Lees
West Footscray is up for the challenge of a new look Western Football League division 2 structure.
Following a restructure of the WFL, division 2 and division 3 have been merged, creating a larger competition with a number of new matchups.
After a solid season in division 3 last year, Roosters coach Troy Beamond said the shakeup won’t change the way his side approaches each match.
“We’re content with it,” he said. “We’ve got a really good junior program now and we always say we want our juniors to play at the highest level possible, so for us to play some division 2 sides is a good thing.
“Regardless of who we’re playing… we’re going out there with the same mindset, to play to the best of our ability, and give 100 per cent effort.”
The Roosters finished in fourth place last year with eight wins and eight losses, earning them a place in finals.
Facing a strong Albanvale side in the preliminary final they were outworked, 20.11 (131)-9.12 (66).
This season, the club will be without Josh Barker and Nathan Smith who have both retired from the game.
Beamond said he felt the club had recruited well and estimated three or four players from under-18s would be getting the call up to the senior team in round one.
Among those recruits its forward Lachie Fox, who joined the Roosters after taking a break from footy.
Fox booted three goals in one of the Roosters practice matches.
Fox will be thrown into the forward line alongside Thomas Stelluto.
Stelluto finished sixth in the league’s goal scoring leader board with 48 from 16 games, which included a 10 goal haul against North Sunshine.
Chris Long and Michael Oddie have been chosen as captain and vice-captain respectively this season.
“Both of them have only been at the club 12 months and in that short period of time they’ve two of the best leaders at the club,” Beamond said.
The Roosters will face Wyndhamvale on Saturday at Wyndhamvale South Reserve.
Wyndhamvale were in division 2 last season and finished in fifth place.
Beamond said he hasn’t set any specific objectives for the season, believes they can go far.
“We just go out each week regardless of who we’re playing,” he said.
“If we put our structures and game plan in place, then we’ll be happy.
“Whether we have three, eight or 16 wins, we just want to make sure those things are our focus.”
