DISTRICTS WIN ON RETURN, EAGLES GET POINTS AFTER SIREN
By Connor Pain |
Spotswood showed its mettle with a dominant second half display to outclass Altona on their home turf to claim a 17.7 (109) to 7.8 (50) victory in Round 13 of TIV Division 1 Men.
Ill-discipline plagued the home side all afternoon, but the story of the day was the Woodsmen, who now sit just percentage from the last finals spot currently held by the Vikings.
The visitors enjoyed the perfect start to the game kicking the opening goal inside 30 seconds, a blow Altona seemingly never recovered from.
A five-goal to one opening term was the perfect launch pad for Spotswood who struggled offensively a week earlier with just four total majors against Parkside.
The Vikings got back into the contest in the second term, cutting the margin to as few as two goals before being put to the sword in the second half.
A rampaging final term saw Spotswood boot six goals to one to run out 59-point winners, Sam Cross finishing with six majors and Jack Charleston prolific in his disposal all afternoon.
The Woodsmen take on Point Cook next, with Altona looking to right what went wrong when they host Werribee Districts.
Yarraville Seddon overcame a 20-point three quarter time deficit to record a thrilling one-point triumph over Point Cook Centrals thanks to more late game heroics from Josh Helliwell.
After securing a tie with a goal after the siren against Werribee Districts in Round 11, Helliwell was again the saviour for the Eagles, this time booting the game winner after time had expired.
A topsy turvy contest saw both sides trade the lead, but a seven-goal to one third term put the Sharks in pole position to claim a second straight top five scalp.
In the theme of the afternoon, the lead was flipped one final time as the home side could muster just three behinds with Yarraville Seddon adding three goals, Helliwell’s final score seeing the Eagles claim the four points, 9.14 (68) to 10.7 (67).
A win could have seen the Sharks up to seventh, but instead they remain anchored to the bottom of the ladder ahead of a meeting with Hoppers Crossing, while Yarraville Seddon faces Parkside.
Caroline Springs survived a scare against Parkside to escape with a narrow 10.12 (72) to 10.8 (68) win at Merv Hughes Oval.
The Lakers held a 21-point advantage at the three-quarter time, but the Magpies rallied in the last before falling just short of back-to-back victories.
The hosts kicked three unanswered goals to start the final term to reduce the deficit to just five points before the visitors replied with two steadiers.
One final role of the dice saw Parkside add two late majors, however it wasn’t enough.
Caroline Springs remain second on the ladder two points behind Werribee Districts, with the Magpies seventh on 14 points.
The Lakers get consecutive weeks off thanks to a division-wide bye and then their own bye in Round 14.
Back from a week off a refreshed Werribee Districts secured a 23-point win against rivals Hoppers Crossing to maintain its unbeaten record in season 2024.
The injury-ravaged Warriors were right in match in the opening half before the reigning premiers broke the game open courtesy of a five-goal to two third term.
Hoppers Crossing forward Harry Maguire booted a game high six majors, however five Districts players kicked multiple goals on their way to a 13.18 (96) to 11.7 (73) triumph.