BULLDOGS UPSET LAKERS, WOODSMEN END TWO-GAME SLIDE
By Connor Pain |
Spotswood aided by a strong opening quarter cruised to a 27-point triumph against Point Cook Centrals in Round 7 of TIV Division 1 Men, pushing them to fourth on the ladder.
Matthew Payne nailed three majors to be the WYN FM Match of the Day broadcast best-on-ground for the Woodsmen who had four multiple goalkickers in the 15.6 (96) to 9.15 (69) win.
A six-goal first term got the visitors off to the perfect start despite the Sharks controlling the tempo in the early goings.
Payne was electric and with contributions from Kyle Blake (two first quarter goals and four for the game) and Nicholas Graham the Woodsmen lead by 22-points at the first break.
The scoring eased in the second term, but the visitors remained in control as the home side was unable to take advantage of multiple opportunities in front goal, adding 2.5.
The second half continued as the first had progressed, and despite Centrals getting within two goals midway through the third with Mitch Palma and Lachlan Grant leading the charge, it was Spotswood’s afternoon.
Unable to be stopped in transition all game the Woodsmen finished the day well in control to triumph for the first time in May and collect their third win of the campaign.
They host Werribee Districts in their toughest matchup of the year while the Sharks travel to Caroline Springs and will aim to arrest a troubling form slump.
Hoppers Crossing sit just percentage out of the top four thanks to a third consecutive win with a 11.12 (78) to 10.9 (69) defeat of Parkside.
A first half stalemate turned in favour of the Warriors after the main break and despite not leading by more than nine-points at any change, the visitors did enough to beat a resilient Parkside on their home deck.
With boom midfield recruit Jed Anderson still sidelined Josh Pickess and Corey Muscat starred inside to ensure Liam McMahon and Riley Fisher walked off victorious in milestone outings, both playing their 200th games for the club.
The league’s top goal kicker Tom Condon booted four majors, but it wasn’t enough for the Magpies who fall to seventh, although just one game separates them from fourth spot.
They can get back to winning ways in Round 8 when they face Altona, however Hoppers Crossing will be disappointed to now have the bye after their recent run of form.
Point Cook produced its best win of the season thanks to Michael Cilmi’s five majors, as they knocked off the red-hot Caroline Springs by 24 points at Saltwater Reserve.
The Bulldogs led at each break but a six goal to three blitz in the final term sealed the 13.8 (86) to 7.20 (62) victory, inaccurate kicking costly for the Lakers.
The result sees Point Cook move to 3-3 on the year ahead of a meeting with Yarraville Seddon, while Caroline Springs dropped from second to third.
Yarraville Seddon edged over the line in a nail-biter against Altona, coming away with one-point win 7.9 (51) to 7.8 (50).
After leaving the ground injured in the Eagles’ last outing against Parkside, Lachlan Green’s four majors were vital, with his contribution being more than half of his side’s goals for the day.
After missing consecutive games Zac Pritchard was a welcome addition for Yarraville Seddon being named his team’s best, while for the home side even with Stefan Martin’s ruck dominance the Vikings were again unable to kick a winning score.