West Footscray is peaking at the right time to give Parkside a run for its money in the Western Region Football League division 2 grand final at Chirnside Park in Werribee this Sunday.
The rampaging Roosters blasted Wyndhamvale off the park in the second half of the preliminary final at Wootten Road Reserve on Saturday to win by 43 points and advance to their first grand final since 2007.
The boys in red and white piled on five goals to nil in the third quarter to hold an unassailable 45-point lead at three-quarter time.
West Footscray went on to win 13.18 (96) to 7.11 (53) and set up a cracking decider between two of the WRFL’s traditional clubs.
It was a proud moment for Roosters coach Trevor Davies, who returned to the club in a co-coaching capacity with David Orchard in the off-season to help get it off the canvas.
“I’m an old West boy, played in the 1982 premiership side under [Robert] ‘Bones’ McGhie and went back and coached them in the A-grade in the late 1990s,” Davies said.
“Going back and having a bit of success with the club and making it competitive again has been satisfying.
“Just to see the energy around the place at the moment, especially with the older blokes who have gone through some lean times in the past seven or eight years, it’s fantastic to see them enjoying a bit of success.’’
The Roosters brought in a number of big-name recruits in the off-season.
But just as important in dealings for Davies was convincing onballers Mark Speakman and Jadyn Trowsdale to stick with the club.
The pair have been a key part of the Roosters’ engine room.
“They’ve been playing at Wests for the past three or four years and gone through the hard times,” Davies said.
“It’s a credit to them that they’ve stuck with the club and we’ve been able to bring a bit of quality in and produce a quality side.”
One of those newcomers, Micael Newport, starred in a best-afield game on the wing and half-forward on Saturday, snaring four crucial goals.
Damien Yze needed no introduction when he arrived at the Chook Pen, having come off a 100-plus-goal season in a premiership side with Glenorden last season.
Yze also booted four goals and looms as a match-winner for the Roosters in the grand final.
It was always going to take a period of integration for the Roosters to get the recruits on the same page, and perhaps it has clicked at just the right time.
“When you get so many new players into the group it does take time for it all to fall into place, so we’ve really pushed the line about people playing their role within the group,” Davies said.
“They’re really gelling as a group and there’s a bit of belief as well. We’ll give it a crack next Sunday and there’s certainly enough quality in the side to cause some havoc.”
For Wyndhamvale, the season ended with a straight-sets finals exit, leaving a bad taste after a promising season.
In division 3, Sanctuary Lakes bowed out with a 55-point loss to Braybrook in the preliminary final at Hogans Road Reserve.
The league’s first third-tier grand final will be played between the Brookers and Albanvale on Saturday.
WRFL FINALS
Division 1
Preliminary final: Spotswood v Werribee Districts (Saturday, Chirnside Park, 2.15pm)
Division 2
Grand final: Parkside v West Footscray (Chirnside Park, Sunday, 2.20pm)
Division 3
Grand final: Albanvale v Braybrook (Saturday, Hogans Road Reserve, 2.20pm)
