By CONNOR PAIN - Division 1 Reserves
ALTONA came out on top after defeating Werribee Districts in what was an intense and physical game at Avalon Airport Oval on Saturday.
It was a tough opening quarter with the Vikings holding on to a five-point lead at the first break.
In the second quarter, Altona showed why they deserved to finish in second spot on the ladder as it converted its chances inside forward 50 and stopped any Werribee attack before it was too late.
A lean third quarter gave Werribee a sniff, as the Vikings kicked just one behind, but it came back in the final term with another two goals (and five behinds) to get over the line.
The win puts Altona into Semi Final 2 against Hoppers Crossing, the winner advancing to the grand final, while the Tigers will face Deer Park with the loser’s finals series over.
Adam Fenton and Matthew Davis played well up forward, the pair kicked three goals each, while it was Lochlan Allen’s efforts across four quarters that gave him best on ground honours.
Shaun Dean was named in the best for Werribee Districts.
In Sunday’s elimination final, two goals early in the final quarter helped Deer Park end Sunshine’s season.
The 9.13. (67) to 8.5. (53) win kept the Lions’ premiership dreams alive for at least one more week.
The Kangaroos were arguably the stronger team in the first half, goals being at a premium given the wet and windy conditions, as they led by eight points heading into the main break.
The matchup could have been over after the third term if Deer Park had kicked accurately, as six of the side’s seven scoring shots in the quarter were behinds.
The Lions took the lead going into the last quarter and held strongly, booting four goals in the term to seal its 14-point win and knock Sunshine out of the finals.
The somewhat surprise win, given Sunshine finished above Deer Park on the ladder, combined with the size of Burbank Oval (much larger than the District’s home ground at Soldiers Reserve) will give the Lions confidence heading into its matchup with Werribee, where one goal, one mistake can turn a game and send one team home.
The Reserves First Semi-Final between Werribee Districts and Deer Park will be played at Burbank Oval on Sunday at 11.50am.
The Second Semi-Final will be between Hoppers Crossing and Altona on Saturday at Avalon Airport Oval at 11.50am.
Last Modified on 22/08/2016 15:33