WRFL 2021: North Footscray best-and-fairest Sam Denby-Blake returns
The WRFL Division 2 club has secured a boost as coach David Battistella prepares to roll out a new-look side. Here are all the changes at the Devils.
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Best-and-fairest winner Sam Denby-Blake has returned to North Footscray in a boost for coach David Battistella’s new-look line-up.
Denby-Blake signed with East Malvern for the cancelled 2020 campaign but will don red and white in Western Region Football League Division 2 this season as the side looks to climb the ladder.
Denby-Blake claimed the Devils’ top individual award in 2019 and will add crucial leadership following several key departures since the club’s last official match.
“I coached him back in 2011 when he first came to the club,” said Battistella, who steered North Footscray to a premiership in 2010 and is in his second stint as coach.
“When I first got the job (for 2021), he was one of the first I rang. He lives on the other side of town and we kept in contact.
“He just said he loved North Footscray and was keen to come back. It’s a real bonus.”
Battistella said Denby-Blake was capable of filling a key position role at both ends of the ground and offering relief in the ruck.
“I like the idea of throwing him around and not necessarily (playing him) down back unless there’s a big forward he needs to play on,” he said.
The Devils have also gained “genuine ruckman” James Carey, who was a member of East Keilor’s 2016 premiership team led by Battistella.
Carey made 16 appearances for the Cougars in the second tier of the Essendon District league in 2019, earning a mention in the best players five times.
East Keilor premiership players Cooper Bryant, Connor Roach, Shaun Ujcich and Declan Wakefield have also reunited with Battistella.
Utility Joel Richardson, who was one of North Footscray’s standout performers two years ago, has also returned.
“When I first went down there, he (Richardson) was going to leave,” said Battistella, who was appointed last October.
“But in the end he just decided that his mates were down at North Footscray and he realised he loves his football more if he’s playing with his mates.”
Former captain and dual premiership player Sam Kater is also back, along with Aaron Smith.
Former WAFL player Clinton Farrell, Sam Woollard, Tom Fenner, Joel Flanagan, Troy Fisher, Guillermo Ochoa, Michael Ochoa, Adam Bullivant and Alex Maloney have also joined the Devils since the end of 2019.
“The best part about the 2020 signings are most of them stayed on,” Battistella said.
“It doesn’t feel like it was wasted work.”
League medallist Kieran Murphy, Shaun Buttigieg-Clarke, Jack Vorano, Brody Vorano Jonathan Miller, Daniel Neville, Reece Duffield, Tyren Montebruno and Troy Manolis are among the departures.
The Devils claimed the Division 2 premiership in 2017, qualified for finals in 2018 but finished seventh with just four wins the following year.
“The buzz is really good,” Battistella said.
“We haven’t set any expectations. Internally you always do, but externally we all know what happened in 2019.
“Of course you want to be competitive … but I haven’t been in the WRFL for a long time. It’s a little bit unknown what standard a lot of these clubs are going to be at.
“People are telling me who were (premiership) favourites, who is still favourite, but you really, really don’t know.
“I think we’ve built a good list, we’ve got some depth, but until I know the standard of what we’re playing against, I couldn’t honestly tell you how we will go other than I believe we will be competitive.”
Matt Smith has been reappointed as captain ahead of North Footscray’s season opener against Albion on April 10.
WHY WYNDHAMVALE IS STILL A PREMIERSHIP THREAT
Wyndhamvale coach Luke Wenlock has declared his team remains a premiership threat despite the loss of several experienced players.
Wenlock said the opportunity had arrived for the Falcons’ next generation to show their wares as the club chases a return to the Western Region Football League’s top flight.
Wyndhamvale has waved goodbye to several senior regulars since its 2019 grand final loss to Yarraville-Seddon, including four members of the Team of the Year.
Former playing coach Chris Moreland, Bol Kolang, Nathan Bisset and Jy Lambley have exited.
Majok Ngong, Mitchell Gough, Corey Goforth and 2020 recruit Jarryd Scotland are other notable outs.
But Wenlock, who is preparing for his first season at the helm after taking over as assistant coach in 2017, said the Falcons were “definitely” a flag contender.
“The nucleus is still there,” Wenlock said.
“The ones that we identified and recruited to be the future of the club are still there.
“Without doubt it would disappointing if they dropped off too far.”
On the plus side, 2019 Team of the Year pair Daniel Smith and Jack Tessari have stayed put.
Cameron Morrison is set to return following a broken leg and cancer battle, while MacKenzie Parker will be back after a knee reconstruction.
2017 WRFL rookie of the year and key position player Josh Harris also arrived from Division 1 outfit Werribee Districts for the cancelled 2020 season, while Kyle Bestisi has crossed from Hoppers Crossing.
Wenlock conceded the losses would have “some effect” but tipped Wyndhamvale to be “around the mark”.
He said the make up of his forward line remained uncertain, but he was otherwise pleased, with 73 players attending pre-season training in an encouraging sign for the club.
“Defensively, we’ll be very, very good,” Wenlock said.
“I’m very happy with the way they’re going.
“We’ve lost a bit of experience, but it’s a young team that’s getting to that 23, 24 (age bracket) now, and it’s time for them to make it their own team with the loss of some experienced blokes, which I’m pretty confident they will.”
Wenlock expects Parkside to provide stiff competition and said former top grade club Albion was the “unknown”.
He predicted North Footscray to be a “big improver” under new coach David Battistella.
The Falcons will face Parkside away from home in a blockbuster opening-round clash on April 10.
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