By PEPPE CAVALIERI - Division 1 Seniors
DEER Park has stamped itself once again as one of the teams to beat, handing fellow premiership aspirant Sunshine its second-straight loss to join Spotswood as runaway leaders in Division 1.
The Lions – led by a seven-goal blitz from Jase Perkins – won comfortably by 46-points after the scores were locked at quarter time.
Kwame McHarg chimed in with a handy cameo of four goals for Deer Park, while Darren Haby continued to prove his worth up forward with three goals for the Kangaroos.
Sunshine now finds itself just one win and percentage inside the top five.
Spotswood joined Deer Park on 32 points atop the table, thanks to a 73-point win against the still-winless Caroline Springs.
The Lakers were within 20-points at the main break, but the gulf in class was exemplified after half-time, as the Woodsmen kicked away with 13 goals to five.
Four players kicked three goals for the home side, while Murray Boyd and Tom Langlands were Spotswood’s best.
Four goals for Brian Lake, and two to Nathan Knuckey caused some headaches, as Keenan O’Shea and Doug Thomas were strong for the Lakers.
Werribee Districts stayed just percentage outside the top five with a hard-fought six-point win against Albion on Saturday, a result that kept the Cats at bay in the tight race to clinch a place in September.
The Tigers were forced to come from more than five goals down in the second quarter, eventually running out 13.14. (92) to 13.8. (86) winners.
Trent Lee kicked four for Werribee Districts, as Bailey Siwek impressed and Joe Halloran continued his resurgence after an injury-plagued 2016.
Four goals to Kym Taylor, three to Todd Finco and a best-afield effort from Marty Dufty were not enough to drag Albion across the line.
Altona remains percentage inside the five with a solid 65-point victory against St Albans, but the Vikings need to steel themselves for a really tough three-week block during which wins are a must.
St Albans – on the other hand – has just two wins to its name and needs to spark something fast.
Meanwhile, Hoppers Crossing did what it had to do against Wyndhamvale, winning by 41-points to ensure the Warriors safety in the top half of the ladder.
Jordan Staley’s four goals proved important for Hoppers Crossing, as David Barbieri and Adam Poland worked hard.
The Falcons were by no means disgraced on Saturday, as Liam Scarborough against impressed with a best-on-ground effort for his side.
Three goals to Bior Malual was a terrific return, while an intriguing battle between Bol Kolang and Wayde Skipper was of great entertainment value.
LAKERS WIN THRILLER AGAINST WOODSMAN
By CONNOR PAIN - Division 1 Reserves
ONE behind in the final quarter was enough to see Caroline Springs win its fourth game of the season, downing Spotswood 7.5(47) to 6.10(46).
The game was tight all day as neither side could hit the scoreboard consistently.
The Lakers four-goal third term helped put them in the lead, turning a three-point half time deficit into a one-point full time victory.
The win sees Caroline Springs sit one game ahead of the Woodsmen on the ladder and will look to get closer to the top four as it battles Albion in Round 10.
Spotswood will host Sunshine looking for a win, as a loss will all but end its chances of making the finals.
Cory Connor’s five goals helped Sunshine earn its eighth win and maintain its position on top of the ladder, beating Deer Park by 36-points.
The Kangaroos were in control all day, but could never put the Lions away.
The 13.9. (87) to 7.9. (51) win firms Sunshine as the premiership favourite, as they are unbeaten in season 2017.
Despite the loss, the Lions are still in the top four and will look to bounce back as they travel to Altona this Saturday.
A fourth quarter explosion that saw a combined 12 goals kicked ended with the Werribee Districts defeating Albion, 13.5. (83) to 10.10. (70).
The game was tense throughout the first three quarters, as both sides held the other in check. The Districts won the goal fest in the final term to win its fourth game of the year.
The 13-point win sees Werribee sit a game and a half outside of the top four.
They’ll look for their fifth win of the season as they face winless Wyndhamvale this week.
Altona’s eighth win of the year came at the expense of St. Albans, the final score was 15.10. (100) to 9.3. (57).
The Saints will look to gets its disappointing season back on track in Round 10 as they host Hoppers Crossing.
The Warriors recorded the biggest win of the season for any team, destroying Wyndhamvale 27.9. (171) to 3.3. (21).
Reece Miles kicked more goals (seven) than the entire Falcons team.
Last Modified on 19/06/2017 11:49