By PEPPE CAVALIERI – Division 1 Seniors
IT was a weekend in which blowouts were the norm in Division 1, but none was more significant than Altona’s drubbing of Werribee Districts to claim its maiden victory of 2017.
The Vikings’peculiar and rather unlucky 0-3 start meant there was plenty of pressure for the home side against the Tigers, who were unbeaten heading into round four.
But despite trailing by 20-points at quarter time after kicking into the wind, Altona managed 16 goals to four from that point to cruise to a 59-point win.
Elliot Cavallaro impressed with four goals, as did Josh MacDonald, who kicked three.
The Tigers barely gave a yelp after the first break, and were a mere shadow of the side that knocked off Hoppers Crossing in Round 3.
Sunshine moved to second on the ladder on Saturday thanks to a crushing 106-point demolition of St Albans.
A week removed from the Saints’first victory of the season, the home side went missing.
The Kangaroos had 11 individual goal scorers, including Daniel Castellano, six, Lachie Langwell, three, and Ben Dessent and Jesse McInneny, two each.
St Albans now falls to 1-3 and faces a mountainous next fortnight against Deer Park and Spotswood.
Both the Lions and Woodsmen were prolific in their victories at the weekend.
Spotswood showed no sympathy to former clubman and now Albion coach Chris O’Keeffe, winning by 126-points.
Nine goals to Lachie Fairley was an outstanding contribution, as six others managed at least two goals each.
Deer Park battled hard to keep Wyndhamvale goalless in the first half, but only led by 32 at the main break.
But the floodgates eventually opened and the Lions’onslaught proved inexorable, as Deer Park eventually ran out 89-point winners.
James Condos again proved prolific inside 50, snagging five goals, as Shannon Byrnes, four goals, and Mark Galea, three goals, provided other avenues.
Kwame McHarg was damaging again, as was Sohrob Ismail and Rusiate Komaitai.
Hoppers Crossing bounced back emphatically from last week’s loss to dispatch Caroline Springs at home.
The Lakers could not manage a goal until the final term - they kicked two for the match - but by that point the game was well and truly done and dusted.
The Warriors put together a 144-point win, as 11 players hit the scoreboard.
Mat Ryan, Daniel Nielsen and Brent Sheean were among the better players, as Jordan Mead found some form with five goals and youngster Daniel Strnak booted four.
Round five will dawn at the weekend, and it should see the top five start to really take shape.
Altona should be able to capitalise on its first win when it takes on Albion at home, while Werribee Districts will look to bounce back against Caroline Springs.
A few weeks ago, this weekend’s Deer Park-St Albans clash looked to be a beauty, but after the Saints’fall from grace in round four, it is hard to see the Lions going down.
Spotswood can solidify its place in the top three with a win against Wyndhamvale, while the likely match of the round will take place at Sunshine.
The Kangaroos face their sternest test yet against Hoppers Crossing, but are a huge chance to move to 4-1 based on current form.
They are attacking with ferocity and defending staunchly. Perhaps the home ground advantage will lead them to an important win.
If anything, we will learn a lot about what Sunshine is capable of on Saturday.
SPOTSWOOD TAKE CHARGE, DEFEAT ALBION BY 13-POINTS
By CONNOR PAIN – Division 1 Reserves
SHAUN Buttigieg-Clarke’s four goals helped Spotswood down Albion by 13-points and earn its first win of the season.
The Woodsmen were in charge all day, booting six goals in the second quarter to separate the sides.
Albion kept coming and kicked four goals in the final term, which kept the game interesting until the final siren, but it was not enough as Spotswood ran out 12.6. (78) to 10.5. (65) winners.
Spotswood host Wyndhamvale in Round 5, while Albion travel to Altona in search of its first win of the season.
Altona overcame a tough Werribee Districts in its 10.12. (72) to 9.5. (59) win.
Neither side could break the game open, as each team kicked goals right as it looked as if the other would take the game over.
The Vikings third term won them the game, recording 29 points to 18, as the margin was too much for the Districts to come back from.
Altona sits second on the ladder after four rounds following the 13-point win, with Werribee slipping to eighth ahead of its clash with Caroline Springs.
Todd Caulfield’s five goals was enough to help Hoppers Crossing overcome Caroline Springs by 26-points.
The Warriors led at each break. They kicked seven goals to three over the second and third terms, which was enough to keep the home side in front at the final siren.
The 12.13. (85) to 9.5. (59) victory sees Hoppers jump into the top four and will face Sunshine this week.
Meanwhile, Sunshine was able to scrape over the line against St. Albans in a three-point win.
Lachlan Calder kicked a round-high seven goals for the Saints, but it was not enough, as the Kangaroos held on to its three quarter time lead.
The win keeps Sunshine at the top of the ladder on percentage by a comfortable margin, as St. Albans’ record falls to 1-3. They’ll battle Deer Park on Saturday in search of their second win of the season.
Finally, Deer Park ran ragged over Wyndhamvale en route to a 102-point thrashing.
The game was never in doubt as the Lions led at each break. The 17.16. (117) to 2.4. (16) victory gives the Lions a percentage boost of over 40 per cent, while Wyndhamvale have slumped to the bottom of the ladder.
Last Modified on 01/05/2017 14:33