By PEPPE CAVALIERI – Division 1 Seniors
ALTONA’S plans for the revival of its season have been momentarily thrown into disarray, while the rest of us have been left scratching our heads, after Albion caused a major boilover in Round 5.
The Vikings - after a surprise 0-3 start to the season - were set to comfortably capitalise on their maiden win against Werribee Districts in Round 4, but will instead have two weeks to ponder how they have managed to enter the interleague bye at 1-4.
The Cats - on the flip side - were terrific. In touch but still down by 17-points at three-quarter-time, the visitors conjured a four-goal-to-one final stanza to escape with a three-point win.
Marty Dufty and Todd Finco spearheaded an inspired Albion outfit, as Finco kicked four goals and Paul Cutajar-Milosev snagged two.
Sean Collis and Jordan Robbins battled hard for Altona and Lee Spiteri defended valiantly.
Both sides will face lingering questions in the aftermath, with the Vikings wondering how they could perform so poorly in a game with so much importance, while the Cats might be confused as to where this form has been all season.
More than anything, this result speaks volumes of the evenness of the Division 1 competition.
Another match that perhaps might have surprised many was that between Sunshine and Hoppers Crossing.
The Kangaroos remain in second place on the ladder after an impressive 38-point triumph, but it was probably more the margin than the result that baffled some.
Sunshine’s continuity all across the ground makes it a daunting prospect in season 2017, and with a win over one of the pre-season premiership fancies, the Roos surely cannot be written off as a legitimate chance themselves.
A terrific final term saw Sunshine turn a 13-point three-quarter-time advantage into a 38-point win.
Lachie Hutchesson was prolific for the winners, as was Declan Moloney.
Lachie Langwell kicked a game-high four goals for the Kangaroos, while Noah Walker’s three majors was not enough to drag the Warriors over the line.
Other results on Saturday were much more aligned with expectations.
Caroline Springs responded to a string of poor performances to put in a more competitive effort, but still went down by 41 points to Werribee Districts.
Down by 33 at the main break, the Lakers produced a winning third term and never allowed the Tigers to fully run away.
The class of Andrew Panayi, four goals, and Chris Molivas, three goals, up forward proved the difference, as Trent Lee, three goals, also hit the scoreboard, and Brent Morrow and Ben Morton put in meaningful contributions.
MacKenzie Bristow imposed himself across the ground for Caroline Springs, as did youngster Will Markovski.
Nathan Knuckey was back in the senior side, managing two goals.
Spotswood solidified top spot on the ladder and remains undefeated after a 128-point thumping of Wyndhamvale.
The Woodsmen had to work hard for their 40-point half-time lead, but eventually the floodgates opened.
Lachie Fairley continued his rare form up forward with seven goals, and when he cooled off late - hard to believe - Charles Bettiol chimed in with a handy five.
Bryce Williams, Tom Langlands and Nayef Hamad ran all day for the home side, while Daniel Cross, the Tessari brothers and livewire Liam Scarborough never gave up for the Falcons.
If Deer Park has managed to fly under the radar up until this point, the Lions made everyone take a look over their shoulders on Saturday, as they produced perhaps their most complete performance of the season.
The four-time reigning premiers dispatched St Albans by 95-points in round five, as the Lions’dangerous forwards wreaked havoc.
Kwame McHarg booted six goals, James Condos, five, and Scott Greenhough, four, as Jake McKenzie, Trent Williams and Sohrob Ismail ran rampant.
Adam Asani and Marc Dawson were the Saints’best, as they again slumped to a poor start to a season.
Saturday afternoon will see division one and two have a bye, as the WRFL goes head-to-head with the Northern Football League in a huge interleague clash.
Round five of division three will go ahead as normal.
SUNSHINE DEFEAT HOPPERS CROSSING IN RESERVES
By CONNOR PAIN – Division 1 Reserves
SUNSHINE has moved into premiership favouritism following its comprehensive 66-point win over the two-time reigning premiers Hoppers Crossing.
The Kangaroos burst out of the blocks and kicked six goals in the first quarter, setting the tone for the entire game.
The Warriors were playing catch up from the beginning and couldn’t get back into the match, as the home side’s defensive intensity just too much to overcome.
The game was put to bed by the final break as Hoppers managed just one major in the second and third quarters.
The 16.7. (103) to 5.7. (37) win keeps the Roos at the top of the ladder, as they battle the Werribee Districts in Round Six.
Hoppers Crossing will look to bounce back at home against Deer Park.
In a low scoring affair, the Werribee Districts atoned for its loss last week with a scrappy 9.7. (61) to 2.1. (13) win against Caroline Springs.
Defence was the theme of this matchup as the Lakers were held goalless in the first, third and fourth quarters, helping the Districts run out 48-point victors.
A win is a win and Werribee would be happy with the four points, as it now sits just a game behind the top four.
The loss is Caroline Spring’s second in a row, a streak they’ll look to end when they face Altona on May 20.
Nine individual goalkickers highlighted by Shaun Buttigieg-Clarke’s four majors helped Spotswood down Wyndhamvale by 90-points.
The score was level at the quarter time break, but it didn’t remain the same for much longer as the Woodsmen kicked eight goals to zero in the second term, setting the tone for the rest of the match.
The home side added another 10 goals in the second half (to the Falcons three) to run out 20.10. (130) to 5.10. (40) winners.
Heath Grundy’s four goals helped Altona cruise to its fifth consecutive win, beating Albion 15.8. (98) to 2.6. (18).
The Cats led at quarter time, but were without a goal in the final three terms, as the Vikings ran over the top of them with 14 goals in the same period.
Deer Park sits comfortably in third place following its 102-point thrashing of St. Albans.
The Lions had 13 individual goal-kickers as they dominated the game, holding the Saints scoreless in the second half.
Last Modified on 08/05/2017 12:58