By ASH BOLT - Under-19 Division 1
THE 2016 season started the same way last year’s season ended, with a grand final replay between Spotswood and Deer Park.
In a fiery clash at McLean Reserve, the Woodsmen overcame a hard-tackling Deer Park side to earn an 11-point victory.
The Lions got off to a fast start with the first goal of the match but were restricted to just one more in the first half as Spotswood kicked six of their own to take a 25-point lead into the long break.
Deer Park worked their way back into the game in the second half with a late flurry of goals to end the third quarter while Spotswood struggled with poor kicking in the forward line, kicking only three goals from 13 scoring shots in the second half.
Ultimately the Lions fell short as Spotswood were able to hold on in the last quarter for their first win of the new season.
Mickey Nicholls looked dangerous up forward for Spotswood with several strong marks and three goals while James Beilby chipped in with two.
New recruit Rusiate Komaitai was a standout performer for Deer Park in the ruck while both Joshua Schembri and Nicholas Christofi were lively in the forward line snagging two goals each.
Altona also started their season with a win, beating Werribee Districts by 29-points at Grant Reserve.
The Vikings started strong with a five goal to two first quarter to lead by 23-points at quarter time and held on to that lead for the rest of the game.
Altona’s Matthew Wright had a best on ground performance with three goals in his first game for his new club.
The final match of the round saw Hoppers Crossing defeat Yarraville Seddon by 93-points at Hogans Road Oval.
After a slow start, the Warriors kicked into gear in the second and third quarters to take home a big win and top spot on the ladder.
Hoppers Crossing had a wide spread of contributors on the day with 10 individual goal-kickers while Michael Tsaloukis was the standout for the Eagles, kicking three of the team’s four goals.
This week will see all the winners matched up against the losing teams from last week’s games.
Last year’s grand finalists Deer Park will look to get their first win in 2016 when they face a Hoppers Crossing team full of confidence after their big win at John McLeod Oval.
Werribee Districts will host Spotswood in their first home game of the year at Soldiers Reserve while Yarraville Seddon will face Altona at Yarraville Oval.
Last Modified on 11/04/2016 17:03