By PEPPE CAVALIERI - Division 1 Seniors
ALTONA has finally clawed its way into the Division 1 top five, trouncing Wyndhamvale on Saturday to move level on wins with Werribee Districts, but ahead of the Tigers on percentage.
The Vikings were far too strong away from home on Saturday, running out 116-point winners, as Josh MacDonald and Elliot Cavallaro kicked four goals each.
Daniel O'Leary and Steve Kennedy were prolific for Altona, while the Falcons' best was Josh Pigdon.
Werribee Districts - on the other hand - met the power of Deer Park, and the 56-point loss leaves them now outside the five with a huge game against Spotswood looming.
The Lions forward line trio of Keane McHarg, five goals, Jase Perkins, four goals, and James Condos, three goals, once again put on a show.
Chris Stewart and Kane and Jake McKenzie were also terrific for Deer Park while Rhyce Prismall was very good for the Tigers with three goals.
Hoppers Crossing kept its top three hopes alive with a stirring 70-point thumping of an uncharacteristically poor Spotswood on Saturday.
The Warriors still remain in fourth, percentage behind Sunshine, but not out of the running to snatch the double chance.
Braden Ferrari was instrumental for Hoppers Crossing early, and finished the match with four goals, while youngster Jordan Cook did as he pleased in a consistent four-quarter performance.
Most of the Warriors experienced names fired, as they held the Woodsmen to just three goals for the match.
Sunshine ensured it remained third with a 55-point win against Caroline Springs.
Jesse McInneny and Liam Cavanagh controlled the air, while Ben Dessent continued his good touch as Ben Christodoulou and Lachie Smart kicked three goals each.
Meanwhile, St Albans claimed a much-deserved victory against Albion at the weekend.
It was no surprised that Tim Jenkins led the way with five goals, as the Saints won just their third game of the season.
RACE TO THE FINISH HEATS UP
By CONNOR PAIN - Division 1 Reserves
The race for top spot is wide open with three teams still in position to end the year in first position.
Mitchell Palma’s four goals helped Hoppers Crossing cruise to a 72-point win against Spotswood as they sit just six competition points behind ladder-leaders Sunshine with two games remaining.
The Warriors weren’t troubled in the 15.9. (99) to 4.3. (27) victory as both their offence and defence were firing. The visitors were held to just one major in the second half with 10 Hoppers Crossing players kicking a major.
The Warriors will travel to Albion with a loss ending their chances of finishing on top while Spotswood will host the Werribee Districts in search of a win to keep their finals chances alive.
St Albans produced a huge fourth quarter comeback to keep its slim finals hopes alive, defeating Albion 7.12. (54) to 7.9. (51).
The Saints trailed at each break and were down by 17-points heading into the final term, but kept their composure and booted three goals, overturning the deficit and running out three-point winners.
They’ll travel to face Wyndhamvale in Round 15 with a win needed to remain in the hunt for a finals position.
The loss all but ends any chance the Cats had of making the finals.
Sunshine won a scrappy, defensive affair in which the Kangaroos held Caroline Spring goalless in two of the four quarters, winning the low-scoring match 5.9. (39) to 2.2. (14).
Neither side could take the ascendency as no goals were kicked in the second half.
The 25-point win keeps the Kangaroos as the ladder leaders ahead of their clash with second-placed Altona in a game which could determine who finishes on top.
The Lakers will travel to Deer Park needing a win to jump into fifth place.
Shaun Collis kicked a game-high six goals in Altona’s demolition of Wyndhamvale, 17.15. (117) to 2.2. (14).
The 113-point margin could have been bigger if not for the Vikings inaccuracy, as their defensive pressure held the Falcons scoreless in the first quarter and goalless in two of the four quarters.
Deer Park belted the Werribee Districts to the tune of 99-points, Joshua Schembri’s six goals equal to the total number of goals and behinds the Districts registered.
The 17.13. (115) to 2.4. (16) victory was the Lions’ 12th of the year as they head into the finals as a serious contender.
Last Modified on 07/08/2017 12:37