With a stellar 8 goal performance from Glenn Robertson, West Preston-Lakeside have recorded their second win of the season, running over the top of Epping by 54 points, 19.2.126 – 11.6.72.
After the under 19’s and reserves had recorded wins earlier in the day, it was shaping up to by a good day for West.
The message before the game from coach Frankie Raso was to win the contested ball from the get-go and to make sure they didn’t underestimate the bottom of the table Epping.
The game begun at a fast pace, with both teams wanting the footy as much as each other, but it was someone good team footy from West that lead to the opening goal to kicked by Alex Gleeson who had started forward.
As the first quarter went on, it was very much a battle for possession in the middle of the ground, with both teams fighting to get the ball into their forward 50.
Epping went on to dominate the clearances for the rest of the quarter, kicking three of the last four goals, with Alex Gleeson kicking West’s other goal for the quarter. Epping went into quarter time with a 6 point lead thanks to their dominance at stoppages.
Raso’s quarter time message was to win the ball, then spread, not the other way around as Epping were getting the ball too easily at times.
This quarter time talk from Raso worked as West went out and kicked the first 5 goals of the second quarter, and were very much starting to look like the better team.
Some great pressure from James McInnerny got him his first goal of the game, before great team-work lead to the next four, with Ali Fahour setting up from the back so often.
Kane Heaney’s pinch hitting in the ruck, reminiscent of his 2010 role, helped the team immensely with lone ruckman Andreis Jurgens receiving a well earned rest.
Epping responded with a couple of quick goals, before Robertson restored the lead out to 20 points with his third goal of the quarter, this one coming off a strong mark.
After a 6 goal to 2 quarter, West went into half time leading 55-34.
The second half started with a quick clearance with resulted in a mark and goal to Epping, followed by another Epping goal after some great end to end footy to bring the margin back down to 8 points.
West began to get on top in the inside 50s without being able to capitalise, before a left foot snap from Robertson gave them the goal they deserved. Robbo’s effort was followed up by a great second effort and goal from James Rizzolio.
The third quarter continued to be even as both teams went goal for goal, finishing up with four apiece for the term.
At the three quarter time huddle, Frank Raso told West that they had legs to overrun Epping but would need a good start.
After a tight first 5 minutes where the first goal became more and more important, Raso was right as goals from Andrew Dobby, James McInnerny and a seventh from Glenn Robertson pushed West’s lead out to 7 goals.
Epping then kicked goals either side of Robbo’s eighth, before a couple of goals from Oliver Dufficy and a great 50m goal from Rizzolio put the result beyond doubt as West ran out 126-72 winners.
Coach Frankie Raso was pleased with the result, and was particularly happy with the amount of handball receives the team got, but he also recognised that there was room for improvement in many areas including stoppages.
Playmaker Ali Fahour said that the team were “good in patches” but would need to play four quarters against the better sides. Ali was pleased with the games of debutants, Trav Stevens and Micheal Perfeto and was super impressed with the game of young Mitch Tobin who has been in great form the last few weeks.
Man of the match Glenn Robertson reiterated Fahour’s point, complimenting the games of the debutants. On his own performance, Robbo said it was good to get some confidence, taking a few marks and kicking goals. He also said that although they love it when Anthony Rocca plays for them, it’s good to be looking around for a few different options when pushing forward too.
It was great performance from West, particularly in the second half where they outscored Epping 11.5 to 6.2. After two solid performances in a row, West Preston-Lakeside will be looking to continue this form next week with a win against Lower Plenty.
Best: Robertson, Fahour, Jurgens, McDonough, Stevens, P. Micevski, Heaney
Goals: Robertson 8, Gleeson 2, O. Dufficy 2, Rizzolio 2, McInnerny 2, Dobby, Shaw, McDonough
Last Modified on 12/09/2015 17:59
