UPDATE: The Wyndhamvale Falcons have secured their second Western Football League senior premiership, defeating North Footscray by 35 points in a thrilling final at Yarraville Oval on Saturday. Coach Daniel Smith has declared his intention for “unfinished business” as the team sets its sights on back-to-back titles and a potential promotion in 2026.
The Falcons dominated the grand final with a score of 13.2 (80) to 6.9 (45), showcasing their superior goalkicking and teamwork. This victory marks a significant rebound after previous losses to North Footscray, demonstrating the team’s resilience on the grand stage.
“This is definitely hard to win,” Smith stated, reflecting on the hard-earned trophy. “You’ve just got to enjoy it because it might be your last one.” The club celebrates this triumph as a follow-up to their maiden premiership in 2015.
Despite this victory, the Falcons will remain in division 2 for the upcoming season as the league has paused promotions and relegations for this year. Teams like Sunshine, Albion, and Newport have moved up, leaving Wyndhamvale focused on strengthening their squad for future challenges.
The intensity of the game was palpable as the Falcons led at every change, with a strong second-half performance sealing their fate. Star player Jack Tessari was named best on ground, capping off a stellar season that saw him step up when it mattered most. Meanwhile, spearhead Lewis Stanton finished the season with an impressive 125 goals, scoring six in the final and maintaining his streak of scoring in all 21 matches this season.
“The boys are even hungrier now that they’ve tasted it,” Smith remarked, hinting at the drive from the reserves, who narrowly lost their grand final by eight points. The Falcons’ determination to build a younger team has Smith looking ahead to 2027 and the possibility of competing in division 1.
As the celebrations begin, Smith is already thinking about the future: “We went out with the goal of getting a younger age demographic and building a team to hopefully win it again next year.” He emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum, stating, “All the other teams are going to catch up to us if we take the foot off the pedal.”
Wyndhamvale’s performance in the grand final capped off a season marked by resilience and growth. With only two losses to North Footscray throughout the campaign, the Falcons are eager to keep their winning streak alive as they prepare for next season.
The community is rallying behind the Falcons, and the excitement surrounding their quest for consecutive premierships is palpable. As the club moves forward, the focus remains on hard work and determination to create a legacy of success.
