The Devils played in their first finals series since 2016, finishing fifth after a memorable Round 18 win over the Mustangs.
By Ryan Long.
Wantirna South
Ladder Position: 5th (10-8, 100.64%)
Best and Fairest: Lincoln Wong
Leading Goalkicker: Liam Hewitt (44)
Summary:
A return to the finals for Wantirna South who finished the year in fifth place with a thrilling win in the final home and away match of the season.
The club started the year slowly, with just three wins from their first nine games. However, they weren’t far off the pace with three of those early losses in the season to Montrose, Mitcham and Croydon were all by less than a kick. However, they were one of the stronger teams in the division after the mid-season bye, winning seven of their next nine. The Devils were even able to turn things around against the sides they were competing with for a top five spot, defeating Croydon, Mitcham and Montrose the second time they met.
With a tight race for the fifth position on the ladder, Wantirna South hosted second-place Mooroolbark, needing a win to confirm they would play finals in 2022. In a memorable victory, they got across the line by 15 points and set up an Elimination Final with Montrose. The Devils held a fourteen-point lead at Half Time of the big final after a seven-goal second term. However, they couldn’t hit the scoreboard much in the second half and would go down by eleven points to the Demons.
The Elimination Final would mark the end of Steve Cochrane’s tenure at the Devils, four years with the club.
Key Players:
Lincoln Wong capped off a fantastic season by not only winning the club’s best and fairest but also the Division One league Best and Fairest. The star midfield made another Team of the Year, in the side’s best twelve times.
Both Luke Grima and Brook Kainey had excellent seasons down back, each making the Team of the Year as well.
The Devils’ forward line worked well together this season with the likes of Hewett, Barlow and Jordan. Leading the club’s goal kicking, Liam Hewitt who finished off the year with 44 majors, another Division One Team of the Year representative.
Best Win: Round 18 – Wantirna South 15.12 102 def. Mooroolbark 13.9 87 @Walker Reserve
It was a fantastic win to end the season, Wantirna South needed to win to guarantee that they would finish within the top five. They took on second place Mooroolbark at home with the first half turning into a goal-for-goal shootout. Despite multiple lead changes, the Mustangs held the lead at every change, just three points up at Three Quarter Time. In the final quarter, with their season on the line, the Devils kicked four goals to one for an inspiring 15-point win.
While the Mustangs’ Aaron Mullett finished the afternoon with seven majors, Liam Hewitt kicked six of his own for the Devils while Smith, Wallis and Jordan all kicked two each.
With Montrose defeating Croydon the same afternoon, the two were set to go head-to-head in the Elimination Final.
Off-Season Focus:
Steve Cochrane decided to step down at the end of the season after four years with the club. Although his tenure was challenging with two years of covid interruptions, he has left the club in a great position going forward. Since then, Brett Moyle has been appointed as the new Senior Coach with plenty of experience and success with North Ringwood.
There’s been another big focus on topping up their current list. Headlining their inclusions is Taylor Leggate who returns home after a short stint with Boronia. A proven match-winner and legend of the club, the Devils will be excited to have him rotating through the middle or up forward. The club have also signed former Devils Team of the Decade member Sean Young, small forward Rick Fandrich, Balwyn’s Lachie Bain and big-bodied midfielder Michael Casey.
The club are in a good position to challenge in season 2023. There’s plenty of talent in the reserves side as well with the Devils winning the Division Two Reserves premiership in a ten-point win over Mitcham.
Certainly one side to watch next year.
Wantirna South Juniors
Wantirna South Junior Football Club continues to go from strength to strength. The club fielded 18 sides across the boys and girls competitions. The girls program now has teams in every age group with the marquee team being the Under 14A side who won through to the Grand Final.
Scout Semple and Tayla McMillan capped off stellar seasons winning the EFNL League Best and Fairest awards for the Under 14 and Under 16 girls competitions respectively.
The boys program was not to be out done, with three teams making the 2022 Grand Finals in the Under 12, Under 13 and Under 14s.
Patrick Allen capped off a great individual season winning the EFNL League Best and Fairest award in the Under 11’s.
With such a strong junior system, the senior club looks set for a bright future in 2023 and beyond.
