EAGLES FLY HIGH
By CONNOR PAIN
Hoppers Crossing are now firmly entrenched in the top four thanks to a 26-point win over rivals Werribee Districts in TIV Division 1.
Inaccuracy plagued both teams, but it was the Warriors who took control of the tight contest early.
The Warriors defence was immense all day, conceding just one major in the first half. A balanced attack helped stave off a spirited comeback attempt from the home side.
David Barbieri was at his damaging best in the win.
Andrew Panayi was the only multiple goal kicker for Werribee Districts with three, while Ezzat Haddara and Joshua Pickess contributing three and two goals each respectively for the visitors.
The Yarraville Seddon Eagles got back on the winners list, scoring its second win of the season, with a powerful 81-point win over Sunshine.
Led by Cameron Hitchcock and Brand Lester, the Eagles got off to the best possible start against the Kangaroos, kicking six goals to one in the opening quarter.
Jesse Glass-McCasker, Isaac Kaddour and Jesse Varsamakis all kicked three goals in the 17.16. (118) to 5.7. (37) win.
The Eagles will be aiming to make it two wins in a row, when they face Point Cook in Round 13.
Joel Menadue’s second consecutive four-goal haul helped Altona cruise to a 52-point win against Spotswood.
The Vikings were held goalless in the third but a seven-goal explosion in the last quarter confirmed the 16.8. (104) to 8.4. (52) triumph.
Ethan Taylor was in great form as was Josh Bench.
The Vikings will next face ladder-leaders Caroline Springs in a top of the table clash at Taylors Run Oval on Saturday.
The Lakers will head into that match in red-hot form, having defeated St Albans by 100-points on Saturday.
In an incredibly accurate display of goal kicking, Caroline Springs kicked 22 goals and just five behinds for the match.
Liam Read was brilliant in the ruck. Josh Cubillo and Dylan Laurie also played well.
In the final game of the round, Deer Park kicked five goals to one in the final quarter to overrun a gallant Point Cook at John McLeod Reserve.
Jake Mckenzie and Scott Greenhough were the standouts for the Lions, with Nicolas Aleksovski also kicking four goals.
The Lions will now go head-to-head with Hoppers Crossing.
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