By PEPPE CAVALIERI – Division 1 Seniors
ALTONA has squared its 2017 ledger and finally got itself into the top five, after it outlasted Sunshine in a thrilling encounter on Saturday afternoon.
The Vikings trailed by 16 points at the first change, had the better of the second and third stanzas to lead by 16 themselves at the final change, and had to survive a see-sawing final term in which Sunshine hit the front.
But Altona rallied with two late majors to close out the nine-point result and dislodge Sunshine from the top of the division one ladder.
Mitch Turnbull was dynamic for the Vikings with three goals, while Brett Shiels kicked two important goals in the third quarter in the most dominant period of the match for either side.
Steve Kennedy was prolific for Altona, and Jayden Post was important, while Liam Cavanagh was again stoic in defence, as Darren Haby and Daniel Castellano kicked three goals each.
St Albans kept its slim finals hopes alive at the weekend, surviving a huge scare from Wyndhamvale.
The Saints trailed by 35-points at three-quarter-time, but slammed home eight goals to one to snatch an eight-point triumph and their second win of the season.
Michael Spooner, six goals, and Marc Dawson, two goals, were terrific for St Albans in the front half, while Tyler Tessari and Keidan Holt-Tubbs kicked three goals each for Wyndhamvale.
The Falcons remain a game ahead of bottom-placed Caroline Springs, who remain without a win in 2017 after going down to Deer Park.
The Lions won by 87-points as James Condos controlled the contest with nine goals.
Kwame McHarg chimed in with a handy half-a-dozen, while Jase Perkins kicked four.
2016 Deer Park premiership player Jayke Ewer was Caroline Spring’s best player against his old club.
Hoppers Crossing won an important clash against Albion on Saturday afternoon, staying within just four points of the top three with a 64-point win over the Cats.
Mitch Palma and Ben Jago were the Warriors best while Jordan Mead kicked three goals, while for the Cats Todd Finco was their best, a week removed from an injury scare that could have sidelined him for some time.
Meanwhile Spotswood bounced back from its first loss of the season, emphatically beating Werribee Districts by 88-points.
Charles Bettiol had one of his better games this year with six goals, and Nayef Hamad booted three, while Tom Langlands led from the front as usual.
Chris Molivas kicked two for the Tigers and Andrew Panayi one in his return from a stint at VFL level with Footscray.
Trent Lee and Mark Pozzuto were once again among Werribee District’s better performances.
All teams will enjoy a week off over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend, before returning on June 17 for round nine action.
SUNSHINE STORM HOME TO WIN AGAINST ALTONA
By CONNOR PAIN – Division 1 Reserves
FOUR goals in the final term helped Sunshine overcome a 17-point three quarter time deficit and defeat Altona 10.9. (69) to 10.7. (67).
The battle between the competition’s top two teams was a tight all day.
Altona looked to be in control however as they led at both halftime and the final break, but were unable to hold on. The two-point loss hands the Vikings its first defeat of the season as they slip to second on the ladder.
The Kangaroos now sit top, two competition points clear of Altona and will look to maintain its position when they face Deer Park in two weeks time.
St. Albans got its season back on track with a hard fought 16-point win over Wyndhamvale.
The Saints also had to come from behind at the final break after the Falcons had kicked five goals in the third term to take the lead.
The home side took back control in the fourth quarter, booting four goals and holding Wyndhamvale to just one.
The 12.4. (76) to 9.6. (60) victory is St. Albans’ second of the year. They sit four games behind fourth place.
The Werribee Districts earnt its third win of the season. The win sees the Tigers jump into fifth place on the ladder, downing Spotswood 11.9. (75) to 4.7. (31).
Werribee’s four goals in the final term, combined with holding the Woodsmen to just three behinds, helped put Spotswood away as they stretched their lead to 44-points at full time.
Spotswood will look to get its quest for top-four back on track in Round Eight as they battle Caroline Springs, while the Districts will head to Albion and look to make it two wins in a row on June 17.
Hoppers Crossing’s 98-point smashing of Albion sees it sit three games ahead of the chasing pack in fourth place on the ladder.
Todd Caulfield and Leigh Douglas both booted four goals for the Warriors.
Deer Park were utterly dominant, holding Caroline Springs scoreless in its 20.13. (133) to 0.0. (0) victory.
The Lions had 11 individual goal kickers as they now hold the competition’s highest percentage.
Last Modified on 05/06/2017 13:49