EFL 2019: Wantirna South slides from 3-0 start to Division 1 drop zone
Wantirna South has slid from a 3-0 start to now fighting to avoid relegation after logging just one win since April. And its president says there are no excuses for the shock form slump.
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Wantirna South started the EFL Division 1 season 3-0 and appeared to be an early frontrunner in the flag race under new coach Steve Cochrane.
The Devils were sitting at the top of the ladder after the first three rounds but have logged just one win since April and are in danger of being relegated.
Wantirna South has slid to the bottom of the table and is all but out of the running for a top-five berth.
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The Devils sit two games behind fifth-placed Mooroolbark with four rounds remaining and their promising start has petered out after a 40-point defeat against the Mustangs on Saturday.
Wantirna South’s record since Round 3 is 1-1-9 and it needs to make up half-a-game to avoid demotion.
“We were glad to come out of the blocks early and get some wins on the board and launch from there, but it just hasn’t worked out for us,” president Steve Draper said.
“Strategically I think we did the right things — get fit and attack the season — but we haven’t been able to keep up with it and we don’t really have any excuses.”
Wantirna South’s finals bid has been dented the absence of captain Luke Williams, who has been sidelined since the Round 9 defeat against Doncaster East with facial fractures.
Williams is regarded as one of the competition’s best players, winning the 2015 Chandler Medal as the top-tier’s best and fairest player.
Draper said Williams’ return in the coming weeks would make a “huge difference”, but his injury had not been a factor in the Devils’ slide down the ladder.
“You can’t go from top to bottom just on the back of one player so it has to be more than that,” he said.
“I think we were just up and about at the start of the year and now we don’t seem to be able to keep up.”
Wantirna South is facing a challenging run home with games against Croydon (second), East Ringwood (eighth), Park Orchards (sixth) and Doncaster East (first).
Draper acknowledged relegation was a possibility.
“It’s one of those subjects no one really talks about openly but everyone knows about it,” he said.
“Well we’ll keep chasing (finals) and that will sort relegation out.
“It’s one of the good things about the division, because it is so tight and alive, you’re playing not just to avoid relegation, we actually have a prize at the end of it if we can find a way. That’s where the talk is but I think it (relegation) is starting to enter people’s minds.”
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