WRFL: Wyndhamvale win first game of 2022 against Glen Orden

A youthful Wyndhamvale side, which included three 17-year-olds, got on the board in 2022 as the coach admitted his side were starting to feel the pressure.

Sink or swim.

That’s the approach Wyndhamvale took on board over the past fortnight as it aimed to get its season back on track after a horror 0-2 compounded by a triple figure loss to Point Cook Centrals.

The Falcons got their Western Region league division 2 season up and running on Saturday with a “finals like” 13.16 (94) to 13.7 (85) win over local rivals Glen Orden.

Coach Luke Wenlock admitted his side had to find something after being in an “unfamiliar position”.

“Speaking to the boys after the game, they said it was like winning a final,” he said.

“They felt the pressure after our start to the season but they thrived on it and took the challenge on board.

“Being 1-2 isn’t the end of the world especially with how even our fantastic competition is. Glen Orden has improved out of sight and they gave us a terrific challenge.

“I thought we played some good footy in the first game against Parkside but it was just a matter of us being able to find it again.

“I couldn’t be happier with the way we responded.”

Wyndhamvale coach Luke Wenlock.Photo: George Sal.

Five players returned to the Wyndhamvale side including Jayme Gilmore who booted three goals in a best on ground display.

Kyle Bistisi, Connor Yeoell, Alex Hamilton and Cameron Morrison (two goals) were also impressive.

But Wenlock reserved special praise for three 17-year-olds — Jordan Mould, Nathan Griffiths and Noah Cooney — who all were impressive.

Cooney was making his senior debut and playing his 100th Falcons game.

“Those three boys have all earned the right to play in our side,” Wenlock said.

“Jordy played a really good game of footy. Yesterday we only had three guys over 25 which shows we’ve got a bright future ahead of us.”

The news only gets better for Wenlock and his coaching staff with ruckman Brad Davies and forward Jesse Shell expected to return next weekend.

“We’ve got a few dilemmas but it’s a good problem to have,” he said.

Wyndhamvale will take on Albion away from home next weekend, meanwhile, Glen Orden will be favourites to bounce back against West Footscray.

In other division two games, Parkside (69) held on in a thriller against Newport (68) as North Footscray (134) comfortably accounted for West Footscray (62).