By PEPPE CAVALIERI – Division 1 Seniors
HOPPERS Crossing has moved a step closer to earning a double chance come finals, beating fellow top-three aspirant Sunshine at home on Saturday.
Close to gale-force winds hampered matches across the Western Region Football League, but the Warriors managed to grind out a hard-fought 14-point win.
Jordan Staley and Mat Ryan kicked two goals apiece for the winners and Jackson Viola and Daniel Nielson were strong performers.
Altona’s finals hopes almost went up in flames again on Saturday, but the Vikings managed to come from behind to beat Albion by one-point.
Josh MacDonald kicked three goals and Joel Magnabosco was superb for the winners, as they stay in touch with the top five - just.
Three goals to Jase Perkins led Deer Park to a scrappy 25-point win over St Albans.
The Lions remain a game clear of Spotswood atop the table.
The Woodsmen got the job done against Wyndhamvale, as Charles Bettiol booted four majors and Murray Boyd asserted himself in the difficult conditions.
And despite trailing at half-time and some inaccurate kicking, Werribee Districts managed to see off Caroline Springs at home to keep some distance between it and the chasing Altona.
WARRIORS HAND SUNSHINE FIRST LOSS OF THE SEASON
By CONNOR PAIN – Division 1 Reserves
HOPPERS Crossing dealt Sunshine its first loss of the season, downing the ladder-leaders 11.12. (78) to 3.13. (31).
In what was a low scoring affair between the competition’s top two teams, the Warriors came out strongly and kept the Kangaroos to just one behind at quarter time.
Their strong defence was a theme all day as the two-time reigning premiers held the visitors to just three goals over the four quarters, including being goalless in both the first and third terms.
The 47-point win sees Hoppers Crossing close the gap on the ladder to just two points with just four games remaining. A win against Deer Park in Round 15 could see the Warriors go to the top of the ladder.
Sunshine will be aiming to maintain their lead in first place as they battle the Werribee Districts.
The battle for fifth position has started to heat up as the Werribee Districts drew level with Caroline Springs following the Tigers’ 17-point victory over the Lakers.
The fifth-placed Districts held Caroline Springs scoreless in the third quarter which was the key to their 10.11. (71) to 7.12. (54) win, as Werribee booted five goals to one in the second half.
Aaron King kicked five goals for the Lakers who will rue the chance to put a game between themselves and the Districts. They’ll travel to Altona this weekend.
Spotswood sit just a game behind fifth place following their 10.7. (67) to 4.6. (30) win over Wyndhamvale.
The game was close for most of the day, however it was all but put to bed in their third term as the Woodsmen outscored the Falcons 26-0 in the quarter.
Jack Cairns led the way for the Woodsmen with three majors. Spotswood can make it three wins in a row when they face St. Albans this week.
Wyndhamvale will look for their first win of the season when they travel to Albion.
Altona needed five goals in the fourth quarter to overcome a pesky Albion who were still in the contest through three quarters.
Adam Magnabosco booted four goals in the Vikings 44-point win, their 12th of the season, meaning they also sit just two points behind Sunshine on the ladder.
Deer Park walloped St. Albans to the tune of 92-points, as Benjamin Foley (five) and Shane Jones (four) combined for nine goals in the 15.15. (105) to 2.1. (13) thrashing.
Last Modified on 24/07/2017 12:58