The HDFNL was stunned in round two when reigning premiers Harrow-Balmoral were defeated by 72 points at the hands of Rupanyup.
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A second loss followed in round four when the Roos went down by 21 points at home to Jeparit Rainbow, raising questions about where the Roos sat in the pecking order in 2021.
Harrow-Balmoral senior coach Nick Pekin said the club had to work hard at the start of the season to integrate their new faces and overcome the injury concerns that left their season staggering.
"As a group we had a lot of new, fresh faces coming through and the realisation that they missed a year of development," he said.
"It always takes time, but we slowly started to get players back and play some games together because we didn't get to play together at the start of the year."
HDFNL Your club, your season:
The Roos then played some dominant football in the run home snatching third on the ladder, readying themselves for a flag tit.
Pekin said everyone at the club should take credit for the way they have managed a tricky season.
"I have been a big believer in the more enjoyment you have as a group and as a club the more success will follow that and I think that has happened," he said.
HDFNL Your club, your season:
"I have learnt to play every game as if it is your last. As a coach I have just tried to get back to my philosophy of just enjoyment.
"There have been ups and downs throughout the whole year, but on the whole a lot of pats on the back have to go out to the committee and volunteers for their support and endless hours of work they have put in.
"We have come home with a wet sail and hopefully we can give it a good nudge."
Pekin said William Plush had been a "barometer" for the side in 2021 and he has also been impressed with the contributions of Callum Hobbs, Harry Robertson and Mitchell Grant.
In the other football grades, the Roos' reserves finished seventh while the Under-17s and Under-14s battled as they finished ninth and eighth and respectively.
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