By PEPPE CAVALIERI – Division 1 Seniors
THE musical chairs in the Division 1 top five continued on Saturday afternoon, as Sunshine returned to the top three, and Werribee Districts' grasp on fifth spot grew increasingly weaker.
The Roos broke free of the Tigers in the second half at Kinder Smith Reserve, standing up in trying conditions to claim a 47-point victory.
Gale force winds gusted in excess of 80 kilometres per hour across the region, wreaking havoc on football fields.
Werribee Districts was held scoreless kicking into the breeze in the opening and third quarters, and was unable to make significant inroads with the wind's assistance.
Ben Dessent and Matt Hutchesson were superb for Sunshine as the Roos shared the load, while Nathan Black and Dylan Jose battled manfully for a disappointing Tigers outfit.
Werribee Districts is now just a game clear of Altona, which won by 57-points against Caroline Springs.
With a far superior percentage, theVikings appear poised to snatch the final place in the five.
But in a season that has thrown up many surprises, nothing is a foregone conclusion yet.
Daniel O'Leary kicked three goals for Altona as Josh Rafferty and Steve Kennedy proved a potent one-two punch in midfield.
Spotswood holds onto second spot - just - after holding on for dear life in the final term against St Albans.
The Saints kept the Woodsmen to just one behind in the final term, and kicked 5.3 themselves, but fell nine points shy, 6.14. (50) to 6.5. (41).
Brandon Walshe and Murray Boyd were Spotswood's best, while Jeremy Murphy and Tim Jenkins battled hard for St Albans.
Ladder-leading Deer Park handled the blustery conditions beautifully, booting eight goals to none in a dominant opening term to lead by 50-points at quarter time against Hoppers Crossing.
The Warriors held the Lions to just two behinds in the second term and closed within 17 points at the main break, but struggled to make any inroads after half-time.
Jase Perkins and Shannon Byrnes kicked seven goals between them, as Chris Stewart and Scott Greenhough produced a powerful ruck display.
Hoppers Crossing big-man Wayde Skipper was his side's best, and kicked three goals himself.
And in the final match of the round, Albion got past Wyndhamvale by 44-points at home.
The Cats led at every change, led by coach Chris O'Keefe.He kicked two goals, as did Paul Cutajar-Milosev and Marty Duffy.
Liam Scarborough was the Falcons' standout with three majors.
DEER PARK UPSET HOPPERS CROSSING IN ROUND 15
By CONNOR PAIN
WILD weather wreaked havoc across the league in Round 15 as no team scored above 52-points and only one side (Wyndhamvale) recorded more goals than behinds.
Deer Park secured a top-four finish after downing reigning premiers Hoppers Crossing, 7.9. (51) to 2.13. (25).
The Lions adjusted to the conditions much better than the Warriors as they held the visitors to just two goals for the game, keeping them goalless in the first and third terms.
Spotswood awaits Hoppers Crossing this week with anything but a win all but ending their chances of finishing on top of the ladder.
Deer Park sit just two and a half games from top spot following the 26-point win and will travel to Werribee to face the Districts to keep their slim chances alive.
Sunshine came from 36-points down at quarter time to stun the Werribee Districts by five-points.
The Kangaroos were held scoreless in the first term and to just one behind in the third, but continued clawing well into the fourth, as they booted three final quarter goals to overcome the Districts.
Despite jumping out of the blocks, Werribee recorded just one goal and one behind in the final three quarters, ending their top four chances as they’ll now battle it out with Caroline Springs and Spotswood for fifth place.
The 6.12. (48) to 6.7. (43) victory was Sunshine’s 13TH of the year, a win against Caroline Springs this week should see them maintain their lead at the top.
Three goals in the last quarter helped Altona come from behind against Caroline Springs to win by four-points, as they now sit second on the ladder.
The Vikings headed into the fourth term down by 17-points but kept the Lakers scoreless in the final quarter to record the 4.10. (34) to 3.12. (30) win.
Six goals to two in the second half helped St. Albans down a pesky Spotswood to earn their fourth win of the season, 7.10. (52) to 5.6. (36).
The 16-point win was paced by Reece Panetas, Amar El Nour and Mason Mitoiu who each booted two goals.
The Saints will host Albion in Round 16 in search of a fifth win.
Finally, Albion’s 4.7. (31) to 3.2. (20) win against Wyndhamvale will see the Falcons finish the season on the bottom of the ladder, as the Cats sit four games clear with just three games remaining.
Last Modified on 31/07/2017 13:28