By CONNOR PAIN - Division 1 Reserves
HOPPERS Crossing has made its second consecutive grand final, and cemented their position as premiership favourites, with a 84-point thumping over Altona.
It was a complete performance by the Warriors. From offence to defence, the ladder-leaders proved that they are the side to beat once again.
There were seven goals combined kicked in the first quarter as Hoppers took control early.
They had five of the seven goals but recorded four behinds, which kept Altona in the game.
The second quarter all but ended any hopes the Vikings had of a comeback as the Warriors booted seven goals to one, extending its lead to 59-points going into half-time.
The second-half was much of the same as Hoppers once again dominated the scoring shots, 14 to five, running out 17.16. (118) to 5.4. (34) winners.
The Vikings would be disappointed with the result, given it finished the regular season second on the ladder.
It will now need to win its preliminary final against Deer Park to advance to the grand final and have a chance at redeeming itself against the flag favourites.
The Lions shocked the Werribee Districts at the weekend and dumped the side out of the finals in straight sets, comfortably winning 11.17. (83) to 5.9. (39).
The surprise win, given where the two sides finished on the ladder, gives Deer Park another week of finals football and are now just one win away from reaching the Grand Final.
Werribee again exits the finals earlier than expected for the second season in a row, after finishing second but losing both its matches in last year’s finals series.
One reason for such disappointment could be the size of its home ground.
As finals matches are played on much bigger fields, such as Williamstown’s Burbank Oval and Werribee’s Avalon Airport Oval, the Districts appear to struggle to play its game on the larger ovals.
The story from the match should be the Lions reaching the preliminary finals, its 28 to 14 scoring shot advantage highlights the ease at which they beat Werribee.
Altona should enter the prelim as favourites, but given Deer Park’s strong play and two consecutive wins, a Lions victory is more than possible.
Last Modified on 29/08/2016 16:42