WRFL 2018: North Footscray coach Jonathan Miller confident his team can still win the Division 2 premiership

North Footscray’s form has been patchy in the WRFL this season, but its coach is adamant the reigning premier is capable of going back-to-back.

REIGNING premier North Footscray has been savaged by injury this season.

The Devils’ 8-6 win-loss ratio suggests they are a long way behind Western Region Football League Division 2 pacesetters Yarraville-Seddon and Point Cook.

Their form has been patchy and results indicate they are a shadow of the side which destroyed the Eagles in last year’s decider.

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But coach Jonathan Miller has warned the doomsayers not to rule a line through his team yet, adamant it can rediscover its best when it matters most.

While North Footscray snapped a three-match losing run with a 110-point walloping of cellar-dweller Albanvale on Saturday, Miller said its two-point defeat to Point Cook in Round 12 provided evidence it can match it with the best.

“Our expectation is that we’re going to be one of the last two teams there at the end of the season,” first-year coach Miller said.

“We were seven goals up halfway through the third quarter against Point Cook and that was with eight blokes out as well.

“We’re pretty confident our style of footy will get us where we need to go.

“After the last three weeks everyone outside the four walls may disagree with us, but that’s where I see us.”

Joel Richardson kicked three goals in his team’s big win on Saturday. Picture: Stuart Milligan

The Devils thrashed Albanvale 22.19 (151) to 6.5 (41) at the weekend, with Jason Butty booting seven majors and Tyren Montebruno, Joel Richardson and James Pountney three apiece.

Daniel Neville, Brody Vorano, Kieran Murphy and Reece Duffield also starred.

But the success was achieved without Aaron Smith, Brayden Montebruno, Jordan Lampi, Matt Sparks and Brenden Lucas, while Justin Chircop and Rylan Williams are out for the season.

North Footscray coach Jonathan Miller has not lost faith in his team. Picture: Richard Serong

“It’s definitely a bit of a relief for me as coach to get that win back on the board and get things rolling,” Miller said.

“Playing the footy we’re instructed to play is a big thing.

“We’re trying to get through to the guys that we just need role players. Twenty-two role players is going to get the job done instead of 22 blokes trying to play for themselves.

“But our depth is definitely getting tested at the moment.”

Elsewhere, Parkside moved a game clear in fourth spot with a crucial 13-point win over Newport Power, 12.6 (78) to 10.5 (65).

The Magpies trailed by 31 points at the main break before delivering a nine-goal-to-two second half.

Undefeated Yarraville-Seddon hammered Manor Lakes by 105 points, 21.19 (145) to 6.4 (40), while West Footscray lost by 99 points to Point Cook, 21.17 (143) to 6.8 (44).