By PEPPE CAVALIERI – Division 1 Seniors
HOPPERS Crossing earned a much-need win at the weekend - and became the first side to beat Spotswood in 2017 - collecting a 43-point victory to keep pace with the top three.
A loss would have seen the Warriors move outside the top five and three games outside the top three, but a strong performance from Corey Muscat and four goals to Jordan Mead ensured they stayed in the hunt.
In what has been an incredibly even season, Albion moved within percentage of the top five, thanks to a strong win against St Albans.
An injury to key playmaker Todd Finco soured the 59-point win, but the continuation of strong form by Paul Cutajar-Milosev up front was pleasing.
The Saints - on the other hand - are now languishing at 1-6 and eighth on the ladder.
Six goals to James Condos led Deer Park to a powerful 95-point drubbing of Werribee District, as the Lions continue to put together a purple patch of form.
It was a fearsome four-quarter effort from the four-time reigning Division 1 premiers, as the Tigers are now clinging to fifth spot by a thread.
Sunshine had to contend with an extremely efficient Caroline Springs outfit before eventually winning by 61-points.
The Lakers led at quarter-time and couldn’t miss, but eventually a weight of numbers won out, as the Kangaroos had 41 scoring shots and moved to the top of the ladder.
Altona cast aside Wyndhamvale to remain in touch with the top half of the ladder.
The Vikings are now just one game outside finals contention, but can’t afford a lapse, especially with the amount of teams challenging for a place in the top five.
As each week progresses, it’s becoming more and more clear that at least one side which deserves to play finals, will miss out.
ALTONA MAINTAIN PERFECT RECORD
By CONNOR PAIN – Division 1 Reserves
ALTONA maintained its perfect start to the season comfortably downing Wyndhamvale by 91-points, its record now sitting at 7-0.
Matthew Davis and Nathan Wapshott both kicked four goals each for the Vikings, who led at each break.
The Falcons were held to just three goals over the four quarters, all of them coming in the second term.
The 16.16 (112) to 3.3 (21) win sets up Altona for its top of the table round 8 clash with Sunshine while Wyndhamvale remain winless and will face St Albans looking to get its first competition points on the board.
Jesse Thompson’s six goals helped Albion earn just its second win of the season, beating St Albans 11.4 (70) to 4.7 (31).
The 39-point win sees Albion sit just a game behind fifth placed Spotswood on the ladder, but will need to string several wins in a row if they want to jump into the top four.
They can make it three wins on the trot this week, however they travel to Hoppers Crossing in Round 8.
Nine goals in the second half helped the Warriors overcome a pesky Spotswood, running out 50-point victors in a game that was close until the final term.
Neither side could break the game open, as each side defended well enough to keep themselves in the game.
The Warriors showed its mettle as the two-time reigning premiers as they kicked five goals to zero in the final term, winning their fifth game of the season.
The Woodsmen will travel to Werribee in Round 8 to face the Districts, looking to claw back the gap from the top four.
Deer Park’s fifth win of the season has helped cement its place inside the top four as it beat the Werribee Districts 11.13 (79) to 6.6. (42), a scoreline that flatters the Districts.
The Lions were the stronger side for the majority of the game as it kept Werribee to just two goals through the first three quarters, helping them run out 39-point winners.
Sunshine battered Caroline Springs, Cory Connor’s nine goals pacing the Kangaroos in the 21.7 (133) to 3.9 (27) win.
The Roos had more total scoring shots (28) than the Lakers had total points, highlighting the difference in class between the two sides.
Caroline Springs will host Deer Park in search of its fourth win of the season.
Last Modified on 29/05/2017 13:16