EAGLES NAB DRAW, VIKINGS WIN THIRD STRAIGHT
By Connor Pain |
Defender turned match saver Josh Helliwell kicked a goal after the siren to see Yarraville Seddon share the points with Werribee Districts in Round 11, condemning the reigning premiers to a second consecutive home draw.
Trailing by 20-points at the final change, the Eagles threw everything at the hosts and stormed home before Helliwell stepped up and played the role of heartbreaker.
The visitors came to play kicking the game’s first goal within 60 seconds while moving the ball from defence to attack with ease.
However, Werribee midfield was able to settle, going to work as they turned an early deficit into a quarter time lead, pushing their advantage to 13-points at the main break by shutting down Yarraville Seddon’s transition offence.
The ladder leaders held the Eagles to just three points in the third stanza, but wayward kicking kept the game within reach going into the last.
It was all but one way traffic in the fourth as Michael Selsby nearly won the game off his own boot with two majors, before Helliwell’s monumental goal completed a memorable 10.12 (72) to 10.12 (72) draw.
Still a game and a half clear on top of the table, Werribee have the bye with questions to be answered while Yarraville Seddon host Altona.
Caroline Springs booted nine goals to one in the final term to storm to a 16.12 (108) to 7.5 (47) victory over Hoppers Crossing.
Trailing after the first term following some poor kicking, the Lakers then lead by just 11 with a quarter remaining with the game well and truly in the balance.
But it was utter dominance by the home team in the last as they produced arguably the best single quarter performance in 2024.
The hosts had 10 individual goal kickers in the 61-point win ahead of a clash with Point Cook where they can climb to within two points of Werribee Districts on the ladder.
The Warriors can respond immediately but face a tough ask up against Parkside in Round 12.
Altona produced its own second half demolition this time knocking off Point Cook by 73-points.
The visitors found themselves five-points down at quarter time before the Vikings got the match on their terms with Ethan Taylor instrumental.
Ten goals to one after halftime saw the Vikings make it three wins on the trot in the 17.11 (113) to 6.4 (40) result that lifts them into fifth spot.
Spotswood produced the shock scoreline of the round, drubbing Parkside 22.9 (141) to 8.6 (54).
The game was over after the first two quarters due to a 14 to one goal difference, with the Woodsmen on fire all afternoon in their biggest triumph this season.
Sam Cross bagged a game-high four goals, with three others kicking three majors for the home side.
A win in Round 12 against Point Cook Centrals could see the Woodsmen jump as high as fourth.