EFNL 2021: Devils snare two wins in a row following 0-3 start

The new-look Devils have won their past two matches following a winless start, but the coach says the big test awaits this week.

The Devils belt out the song after defeating Lilydale on the weekend. Picture: Wantirna South FC

It started the season 0-3 but it’s clicked for Wantirna South in the past fortnight, senior coach Steve Cochrane says.

The Division 1 outfit posted its second consecutive win on the weekend, accounting for Lilydale to the tune of 65 points, after breaking its duck against Montrose the week prior.

With a new-look side taking the park this season following a heavy recruiting drive at the end of 2019, Cochrane said the opening month had presented its challenges from a coaching and playing point of view.

“We’re moving in the right direction,” he said.

“With the 18 months off, I suppose it takes a little bit of time for some sides to come together and we’ve got a relatively new list that we brought together 12 months ago, and it’s starting to come together at the moment, but we’ve still got a fair way to go.

“It was about me understanding who can do what, and who’s capable of what and trying to get the right mix from a positional point of view and guys understanding their role.

“It’s just trying to settle the side down and settle guys into a position … and from my point of view, really focussing on what their positives are.”

Nick Beames booted three on the weekend along with Marcus Jordan and Jaryd Smith. Picture: Wantirna South FC

The Devils piled on seven goals to one in the opening term on Saturday, before jumping out to a 57-point lead at the main break.

Cochrane said his side took confidence out of Round 3’s win over division newcomer Montrose, setting the wheels in motion for the weekend’s performance.

“It didn’t matter who it was (in Round 3), we just needed to get a win,” he said.

“Coming in 0-3 to a game like that it was really important … getting a ‘W’ through your name was the main thing … to follow up the next week was also really positive.

“It was really pleasing to get a healthy start (against Lilydale) – we haven’t had one for a while and to get on top early and to go on with it not drop off, I thought that was fantastic from the guys.

“It’s hard to keep that level of performance up for four quarters, I thought we did a good job. But to Lilydale’s credit in the second half they could’ve easily just thrown it away, but they fought on.”

Devils coach Steve Cochrane works the huddle on Saturday. Picture: Wantirna South FC

Knox premiership forward Marcus Jordan headlined the Devils’ swag of new names, with ex-Vermont talent Hamish McGowan, Patrick Wallis, Charlie Young, James Krikas, Jack O’Keefe, Brook Kainey and Nick and Cal Mendes among those also joining.

While the ex-Eagles crew may have taken time to adjust to Division 1 senior footy according to Cochrane, he said their influence among the group had been positive.

“(Most) are still young men and they still haven’t played a huge amount of senior footy consistently,” he said.

“Division 1 footy’s a lot better than Premier reserve footy, so they’ll take a bit of time to get accustomed to the speed and the physicality of playing seniors.

“Their character amongst the group is huge, they’ve got such humility and I suppose being in and out of the seniors and reserves, you get that naturally, because you’re not always up in the seniors.

“We’ve got such a flat hierarchy in our playing group at the moment because no-one’s had a huge amount of success so it’s really refreshing and everyone’s part of the same gig.”

Wantirna South takes on third-placed Park Orchards in Round 6, after heavy losses to current top-four sides East Ringwood and Mooroolbark earlier this season.

“We’ve had five games, a couple of good weeks, and we weren’t able to perform against the top sides early in the piece,” Cochrane said.

“But now that we’ve got a bit of confidence and a bit of system to our game and blokes in positions that we think we’re capable of playing and it’ll be interesting to see how they perform.”