West Footscray’s premiership credentials will be tested in coming weeks.
After a flying start to the Western Region Football League division 2 season, in which the Roosters won seven of their first eight games, the club sits third on the ladder.
But with games against the top-six trio of Manor Lakes, Parkside and Glen Orden in the next four rounds, West Footscray coach Trevor Davies knows his side will need to be at its best to retain its place.
“We’re very pleased with where we’re at,” Davies said.
“We know we have a couple of tough assignments coming up in the next month. We have been working towards them with our structures and our ball use.”
After finishing 10th in last year’s division 2 season, the Roosters underwent a revamp in the off-season with Davies signing on as head coach and a number of recruits joining the club.
Of them, Damien Yze has been the clear standout after dominating up forward throughout the first eight rounds. He has kicked 58 goals, including three bags of 11 or more.
Davies said the new-look playing group had developed quicker than he expected.
“We always thought that as the season progressed we would get better as a playing group,” he said.
“That’s happening and it’s still going to get better.
“That was always the worry in the first six weeks – that the playing group was just getting to know each other and how to play together.
“We were always confident that the more games we got into this particular group, the better we would be.”
It isn’t just the form of the senior side that is generating smiles at West Footscray.
The club’s reserves’ side is undefeated after eight rounds and is in second spot on the ladder.
Davies said there was a great feeling around the club.
“It’s a really positive environment at the moment, which is good,” he said.
“Obviously winning games of football promotes a positive environment. We have had a couple of functions at the club and it’s a really positive environment off the field as well.”
