EFL: Wantirna South facing crunch fortnight if the Devils are to return to finals football

WANTIRNA South coach Jess Sinclair concedes “the jury is out” on his side at the halfway mark of the Division 2 season, ahead of a crunch fortnight that could determine the Devils’ finals fate.

Anch Papa gets a kick away for Wantirna South. Picture: James Ross/AAP

WANTIRNA South coach Jess Sinclair concedes “the jury is out” on his side at the halfway mark of the Division 2 season, ahead of a crunch fortnight that could determine the Devils’ finals fate.

Wantirna South sits a game outside the top four with a 4-4 record but is yet to defeat a side above it on the ladder.

The Devils led by three goals against competition benchmark Doncaster East with 10 minutes to play in the last quarter of their Round 7 clash but fell to a one-point loss.

They also suffered a six-point loss to Lilydale in Round 5.

Sinclair said it was “a little bit concerning” his side had yet to beat a top-four team ahead of games against fifth-placed Bayswater and fellow finals aspirant Park Orchards.

“I think our best is good enough but until we beat someone above us, the jury is out,” Sinclair said.

“I think the next two games are going to determine our season … I think if we drop either one of those two it is going to make it really tough.

“We have to make sure we are winning those otherwise we are cooked.”

Sinclair has lodged a clearance to Walker Reserve but ruled out pulling on the boots.

The 39-year-old last played in 2013 when he was at NFL club Heidelberg.

“It’s more of a back up but my chances of playing are very remote,” he said.

The Devils chances of returning to finals will be boosted by the returns of injured midfield duo Lincoln Wong (knee) and Jack Hare (broken jaw) after last weekend’s bye.

Former Waverley Blues captain Will Edwards has also proved to be a valuable addition, while Chandler medallist Luke Williams is returning to his best form.

But Sinclair said Taylor Leggate had been his side’s shining light so far in the 2018 season.

“If he fires up we generally play well but he has had some poor games as well so it’s just about finding that consistency,” he said.

“We’re confident whoever we come up against on the stretch home that we’ll be going in to win every game, just got to make sure we keep our list as healthy as we can and hope for a bit of luck.”