NORTH Footscray had its shallow depth pool exposed in a 47-point opening day loss to near-full-strength Hoppers Crossing in the Western Region Football League division 1 at Hansen Reserve on Saturday.
The Devils were super competitive for the best part of three quarters before the class of the Warriors shone through at the pointy end of the game.
Devils president Ashleigh Lewis told the Weekly a number of key players were missing for his side, including last year’s best and fairest Patrick Jackson, premiership player Michael Lanciana and prized recruit Tim Seymour.
“We had some fairly decent footballers out,” Lewis said. “We don’t have a lot of depth and can’t afford too many injuries if we want to be competitive with the top teams.”
Opening weekend is a bit like Christmas for WRFL supporters. There is anticipation in the air over what the season will have in store for your local club.
The Devils’ lair was one of the most exciting places to be with new player-coach Jason Clarke taking the reins for the first time.
The 37-year-old, recruited from Port Melbourne Colts on a three-year deal, needed no introduction having been an out-and-out star of the competition for years.
He has won two premierships from six grand finals, a Barry Priest Medal for the competition’s best and fairest and a Andrew Gibson Medal for leading goalkicker.
Clarke, who already had family links to the club before his arrival, is already making his mark on an impressionable young group of players.
“The blokes look up to him,” Lewis said.
“When he talks he gets 100% attention.”
Clarke, who was a bit underdone after an injury riddled preseason, showed glimpses of what he could produce with three goals.
Of the new recruits, it was Cameron D’Altera who made the best first impression with six goals. The medium-sized forward was plucking marks left, right and centre and finishing with aplomb.
Lewis says the Devils’ best form is still in front of them with time needed to jell the new players.
“There were probably eight new faces from last year’s team that played in the seniors,” Lewis said.
“They’ve all got to get used to playing together and as the season goes on they’ll bond a bit better and click a bit better.”
The naturally talented Nick Wilson was best on ground for the Devils. The wingman used his superb skills and football brain to shine. He’s been a ‘project’ of Clarke’s since the coaches arrival.
“‘Clarky’ has been riding Nick all preseason because he’s one of those players who has got all the talent and all the skills but can take it a little bit for granted and get lazy,” Lewis said.
