RAMS END STREAK, FALCONS REBOUND FROM FIRST LOSS
By Justin Jenvey & Curtis Morley |
After 2240 days the Western Rams are winners again as they celebrated their first victory since 2018 by easing past North Sunshine in Round 10.
The WFNL newcomers ended local footy’s longest active losing streak with a commanding 29.24 (198) to 4.3 (27) triumph in front of a home crowd at Ian Cowie Recreation Reserve.
It was all one-way traffic for much of the day but particularly early with the hosts piling on 15 goals while holding the Roadrunners to just two behinds in the opening half.
North Sunshine finally got on the board with three majors in the third term before the Rams finished off strong with a nine-goal final quarter their best of the match.
Jarryd Underwood starred for the Rams with 10 goals, and now sits fourth on the goal kicking table with 33 majors despite his side’s struggles, while Damon Lewis performed strongly yet again.
Next up for the Rams is an away clash with Sunshine Heights while North Sunshine hosts Braybrook.
Albanvale has won in a must win over Sunshine Heights to move up to seventh and keep their finals dreams alive.
In a thrilling start to the game the Devils led the Cobras 3.0 (18) to 2.4 (16) at the first change.
Albanvale’s inaccuracy kept the door open for Heights who only trailed by 18 points at three-quarter time.
However, the home team proved strong in the last quarter maintaining their lead and coming home 12.13 (85) to 10.4 (64) winners.
Reece Field and Corey Hall kicked a game-high three goals each, with Albanvale’s best Jackson Smith who was dominant.
Luke Vella was best on for Sunshine Heights.
The Suns welcomed Sunshine to Goddard Street Reserve on Saturday where the Kangaroos collected their fourth straight win with a 92-point triumph.
An evenly matches first quarter saw the teams separated by just three points, but Sunshine broke the game open in the second term to lead by 55 points at the main break.
A seven-goal to one second half in favour of the visitors saw the match finish 17.12 (114) to 3.4 (22) with Kangaroos young gun Xavier Kardachi named his team’s best.
Peter Tomelty and Michael Ryan battled tirelessly for the home side.
Suns are away to neighbouring rivals Tarneit in Round 11 while Sunshine welcome Albanvale to Kindersmith Reserve.
Wyndhamvale rebounded from their first loss of the season to register a comfortable victory over Tarneit.
The Falcons dominated from start to finish, ending the match with eight multiple goal kickers, Matthew Paul the best of them with five, in the 167-point triumph.
The hosts were also well served by Brayden Young, while Michael Scolaro and Benjamin Arabit were the best for the Titans.
Wyndhamvale faces Newport away from home next, in a battle of third versus fourth.
Newport will enter the encounter after tallying 150 points in back-to-back weeks with their latest outing a 22.22 (154) to 10.7 (67) win over West Footscray.
It was a consistent four-quarter performance by the Panthers with Josh Rafferty and Jackson Fullerton bagging season best hauls of six and four goals respectively.
After a poor first half the Roosters got some reward in the second, adding nine goals across the third and fourth quarters as Eyob Gebreselassie and Jaycob Doyle continued to fight.
Things don’t get any easier for West Footscray as they competition’s best side in Albion.
The Cats triumphed over Laverton by 202 points on the weekend to continue their league domination.
It too was a strong four-quarter performance with the home team booting eight goals in each of the first three quarters before ramming home 10 majors in the final term.
Laverton added three goals of their own in the last.
Caleb McPherson and Jesse Cavanagh continued their stellar form with another best on ground performance and nine goals respectively.
Laverton head to Hansen Reserve to play North Foostcray this coming weekend, in what should be a good contest.
Meanwhile, Braybrook has moved into sixth place after an 18-point victory against North Footscray.
It was a comfortable win for the Brookers who were up at every break and beat the Devils 13.14 (92) to 10.14 (74).
The Devils’ first quarter let them down as they went behind after kicking 1.3 and they couldn’t overcome the slip.
Matthew Condo was the top performer for Braybrook while his brother Justin Condo was the second best, kicking three goals.