SHARKS BACK ON WINNERS LIST, AND A THIRD DRAW IN FOUR WEEKS
By Connor Pain |
Hoppers Crossing clawed its way back from a three-quarter time deficit to draw with Parkside at Hogans Road Reserve with the result the second tie in as many weeks and the third draw in the past four weeks in TIV Division 1 Men.
In a game highlighted by its defence, inaccuracy would cost Parkside in the end who finished with five more scoring shots but were unable to claim all four points having led for most of the day.
After both teams registered one goal in the opening term the Magpies started to gain an ascendency in the second holding the Warriors goalless.
Their control continuing after the main break, however their nine-point halftime lead remained heading into the last.
Both sides threw everything at the contest in the final term, the visitors recording five scoring shots, but it was just a 20 percent goal conversion that kept the home side in it.
Three fourth quarter goals allowed Hoppers Crossing back into the low scoring contest and the two sides couldn’t be separated at the final siren, the end score 7.6 (48) to 6.12 (48).
Ashlin Brown kicked three of seven goals to be the home team’s best performer.
Awaiting Hoppers Crossing in Round 13 is reigning premiers Werribee Districts, while Parkside face an equally tough task when they host second placed Caroline Springs.
Point Cook Centrals produced the upset of the round with a 7.10 (52) to 4.11 (35) triumph over Spotswood.
Having not won since Round 4 on May 4, the Shark’s recent form mattered little as they were on top from the opening bounce.
Up by 31 points at the half after conceding just two goals in the first two terms, the visitors ground out the result after they were unable to add another major in quarters three and four.
Surprisingly the Sharks are just two games from fifth, while the 17-point loss for Spotswood saw them lose ground to Altona who occupy the last finals spot.
The Vikings continued their form turnaround with a stunning final quarter blitz at Yarraville Seddon helping them knock off the Eagles by 30 points.
Another dominant defensive display by Altona saw them strangle the home side offensively, who struggled for goals all afternoon.
Four goals to one in the last extended the Vikings’ two-goal three quarter time lead into a 9.7 (61) to 4.7 (31) win.
The ever-reliable Ethan Taylor and debutant Luke Dyke were among the best for the visitors.
Round 13 sees Altona head home to host Spotswood with Yarraville Seddon looking to atone against Point Cook Centrals.
Nine Caroline Springs players kicked goals in their dominant 59-point home win over Point Cook.
After a six-goal first quarter the game was all but over by halftime with the Lakers up by 31 points as Max Tessari continued his brilliant form.
Caroline Springs are now just two points behind Werribee Districts on the ladder after Saturday’s 13.15 (93) to 5.4 (34) victory.