SPOTSWOOD MAINTAINS FIFTH, WHILE TOP FOUR DOMINATE
By Connor Pain |
Albion sits just percentage outside the top five after a stirring two-point win over Altona, capping an encouraging first 10 rounds of the TIV Division 1 season for the promoted side.
Scoring was at a premium all afternoon as both sides had scoreless quarters, neither able to kick more than three goals in a single term at Altona’s JK Grant Reserve.
With Josh Bench, Juy Capp and Caleb McPherson starring, the Cats led at every break.
A half time lead of 20 points was enough to see them over the line despite scoring just one goal in the second half and two points total in the last term as they claimed their fifth win of the year, 7.10 (52) to 7.8 (50).
Four goals from Joel Menadue wasn’t enough for Altona as a fourth loss in a row for the Vikings sees them slump to seventh, ahead of a tough test against a red-hot Caroline Springs.
Albion’s quest for three wins on the trot won’t be any easier as they host Yarraville Seddon.
Spotswood arrested its two-game skid thanks to a 10.12 (72) to 7.11 (53) victory at Point Cook.
Leading the way for the visitors were James Cleaver and Michael Szulc, while seven individual goal scorers from 10 total goals would have pleased coach Steve O’Bryan, as the Woodsmen did enough on both sides of the ball to hold the Bulldogs at bay in the 19-point win.
Billy and Tyler Kolyniuk were the top performers for Point Cook who now sit two games and a healthy percentage outside of the top five, a battle with Parkside awaiting this week.
Spotswood will now face the competition’s toughest test, hosting top of the table Werribee Districts.
A 58-0 opening term proved all Caroline Springs needed as they trumped Sunshine by 92 points.
Steven Kyriazis made it 13 goals in two weeks thanks to a bag of six, with Alex Paech and Copper Pepi dominant in the middle of the ground in the 19.18 (132) to 6.4 (40) road win.
On a tough day for the Kangaroos, Daniel Torcia and Mathew Medcraft were standouts for the hosts.
Corey Hitchcock’s seven majors highlighted Yarraville Seddon’s 89-point win over Parkside.
The Eagles had their way with the Magpies all afternoon finishing with a seven-goal final term that saw them run out 21.19 (145) to 83.8 (56) victors.
Young gun West Barker also impressed for the home team while Tyson Brazel’s four goals drew him within two of Daniel Nielson who currently tops the goal scoring chart.
Dean Simmons kicked three brilliant long-range goals to be one of Parkside’s best players.
For the second week running seven Werribee Districts players kicked multiple as they saluted 23.16 (154) to 2.5 (17) against Newport.
Joshua Mould with five majors and Garrett Spinks four were the best of the goal kickers for the ladder leaders as they ran riot at Soldiers Reserve.
The Panthers were goalless in the opening half as Sean Gregory and Zak Busuttil intercepted everything that came their way to help set up the 137-point win.
It would have been the round’s biggest margin if not for Hoppers Crossing’s 26.24 (180) to 5.5 (35) demolition of Point Cook Centrals.
A massive nine-goal haul by Ryan Kitchen and a season-best seven majors from Josh Pickess saw both men individually outscore the Sharks in the 145-point win.
Daniel Strnak again battled tirelessly for the Sharks accumulating 30 disposals for the second week in a row.