The bottom-placed Devils have used 41 players in their 16 games, as injuries and illness keep stripping the side of its leading lights.

The Devils' bad luck continued last Saturday in their must-win game against Mooroolbark at Wantirna Reserve.

On the eve of the game, they lost key players Jason Barrie (illness) and Taylor Leggate, who put a nail through his hand at work.

Then as the Devils' young and undersized team ran out, heavy rain swept across the ground, making the conditions much more suitable for the bulk and strength of their Mustang opponents.

"That's been the story of our year," Devils coach Matt Clarke said. "But the pleasing part is we have put so many games into so many young players.

"We had seven players with less than 10 senior games in our side so we would have liked the ground a bit firmer to help us run the ball.

"We made a good start and led at quarter-time but the ground became a quagmire and that suited their strong bodies."

The Devils lost the game by 20 points and now look certain of being relegated to division 3 unless they can win their final two games, against finals-bound Montrose this Saturday and their final game against second-last Waverley Blues.

"We are not in a good place but at least we are there with kids," Clark said. "Our future looks good and we won't focus on the end result of the season - we just want to finish off with two wins."

Clarke said he would meet club officials this week to talk about next season.

"We are working towards next season right now," he said. "We have a lot to look forward to because we will be returning to our ground, Walker Reserve, next season and we will have put plenty of games into our players - so the outlook is bright."

In division 1 matches, Kirby McConnon kicked five goals in a best-on-ground performance for Scoresby in the Magpies' 12-point win over Norwood on Saturday. Adam Parker, Brenton Legg and Corey Mack joined him as best players.