VIKINGS STUN DISTRICTS TO INFLICT FIRST LOSS FOR REIGNING PREMIERS
Altona has used its suffocating defence to end Werribee Districts’ unbeaten start to the season in TIV Division 1 Men.
With the race for last two finals spots heating up, the Vikings currently in fifth place, restricted their opponents after quarter time to record a 5.10 (40) to 3.11 (29) victory at JK Grant Reserve.
After both sides combined to kick five straight goals in the opening quarter, scoring only got harder with reigning premiers Districts, unable to add another major across the next three terms.
Altona were goalless in the second and third terms too and trailed by seven points ahead the last quarter, however the hosts would convert three of their eight chances in the final stanza to stun the league leaders.
It was Werribee Districts’ first loss since Round 15 last year and follows draws with Caroline Springs (Round 9) and Yarraville Seddon (Round 11) in their past five outings.
Despite the result, Districts maintain their two-point advantage over Caroline Springs at the top of the ladder with the Lakers not in action in Round 14 due to the bye.
Spotswood has kept the pressure on fellow finals contenders Hoppers Crossing and Altona with a 34-point win over Point Cook at Donald McLean Reserve.
After both sides failed to kick a goal in the opening quarter the Woodmen added four majors in second term to establish a 27-point halftime lead.
The Bulldogs closed the gap marginally with two goals to one in the third term, and the first major of the fourth quarter, but never threatened further.
Spotswood responding with a three-goal run in the middle part of the final term to ensure a 8.15 (63) to 4.5 (29) triumph.
Yarraville Seddon has maintained its eight-point cushion in third place after an 11-point win over Parkside at Merv Hughes Oval.
In a seesawing encounter the Magpies used four second quarters goals to overturn an eight-point deficit at the first change to lead by six points at the main break.
However, the Eagles would add four goals of their own in the third term to retake control, before stretching their advantage to a game-high 28 points at the 11-minute mark of the final quarter.
Parkside hit back with the last three goals of the game, but it wasn’t enough as the visitors saluted 9.15 (69) to 9.4 (58).
Hoppers Crossing returned to the winners list with a six-point win over a resurgent but luckless Point Cook Centrals on Saturday.
In the highest scoring Division 1 match of the weekend the Warriors came away with a 12.12 (84) to 12.6 (78) victory at Hogans Road Reserve to remain fourth on the ladder.
The hosts led by 24 points at quarter time but squandered opportunities early before growing their buffer to 31 points at the half.
The third term was much different with the Sharks nailing five majors to the Warriors’ one to close the gap to a single kick with a term to play.
In a fourth quarter arm wrestle the visitors would go ahead for the first time 20 minutes into the last, but a late Jaxon Sardi goal with the final kick of the game, would see the home side over the line.