ALBION AND PARKSIDE END WINLESS RUNS
By Connor Pain |Ā
Parkside survived a ferocious last quarter comeback from Newport to earn its third win of the year, keeping in touching distance of the top five.
It took over 10 minutes for the gameā€™s first goal to be kicked which came via Parkside, but once it did both sides went full force at the contest.
With forward half synergy hard to find early, it was the home side whose stifling defence went up a notch in the second term as they held the visitors to just a solitary behind and took a 20-point buffer into the main break.
The Magpies went up another level in the third, finally finding connection from defence to attack and looked to be running away with the points.
A goal inside the first minute of the last buoyed Newport, a further three cutting the margin to just seven points.
But before they could make a final charge the siren blew cutting short what would have been an audacious comeback as Parkside ran out 9.8 (68) to 8.7 (55) winners.
Bruno Laguda was again brilliant for Parkside with 34 disposals and a couple of goals.
Both clubs have tough Round 10 matchups, Parkside battling Yarraville Seddon while Newport head to face ladder leaders Werribee Districts.
Albion produced its best win of the season with a surprising 14.8 (92) to 8.10 (58) victory over Spotswood.
Five different Cats kicked multiple goals, Cooper Muir the best of them with three majors, as the home side was on top all day.
With the score 22-1 at the first break, the Woodsmen cut the deficit to seven points at halftime before Caleb McPherson and Josh Bench helped propel the home side to the 34-point triumph to now be just percentage from fifth.
Spotswood can arrest their slide with a road win over Point Cook, while Albion can separate themselves from Altona by claiming four points against the Vikings.
Yarraville Seddon recorded their third consecutive win while inflicting Altonaā€™s third straight loss with a 32-point triumph at home.
In front at every break, inaccurate kicking the only thing keeping the score from ballooning further as the home side could just never find their range.
Lachlan Julier booted three goals on debut for the Eagles as they ran out 13.15 (93) to 9.7 (61) victors.
Hoppers Crossing did enough in its 35-point win over Sunshine in a low-scoring affair at Kindersmith Reserve.
Both teams struggled to convert on goal, but Josh Pickess had no such problems continuing his strong form with a season-best five majors for the Warriors.
Hoppers Crossing can maintain ladder pressure on Werribee when they host Point Cook Centrals this week.
Top seed Werribee Districts tallied more than 160 points for the third time this season after savaging Point Cook Centrals, 24.18 (162) to 4.7 (31).
Seven players kicked multiple goals for the visitors with Josh Mould finishing with four majors for the third time in four weeks.
A Steve Kyriazis seven-goal haul highlighted Caroline Springsā€™ 21.12 (138) to 5.5 (35) win against Point Cook.
The Lakers jumped out of the blocks with eight-goal opening quarter and were never troubled.
They can solidify their top four spot with a win over Sunshine next time out.