HOPPERS BREAKTHROUGH WITH FIRST VICTORY
By Connor Pain |
Hoppers Crossing produced the upset of the season in Round 5 of TIV Division 1 Senior Men’s footy with a 26-point win against Point Cook Centrals, their first triumph in 2024.
Mitchell Kunigiskis’s six goals highlighted the 13.10 (88) to 8.14 (62) victory to kickstart the Warriors’ campaign after four straight losses to start the year.
Entering as heavy underdogs, Hoppers Crossing reversed the storyline and showed for an extended period the type of football they’re capable of.
Boom recruit Jed Anderson was among the best, as were big names Ashlin Brown and Josh Pickess.
The win puts the Warriors just percentage behind seventh spot ahead of a battle with Altona, the loser likely finishing the round on the bottom of the ladder.
The loss will sting for the Sharks who could have jumped into the top four but squandered a golden chance. Things don’t get easier in Round 6 when they travel to face Parkside in a battle of the two most recent Division 2 premiers.
A slow start and first half injuries to forwards Lachy Green and Lewis Stanton did little to stop Yarraville Seddon from climbing to second on the ladder, thanks to a 13.14 (92) to 10.11 (71) victory against Parkside.
In a fiery clash that saw the Magpies dob the game’s first five majors, the Eagles responded swiftly after a rocket from coach Brad Julier at quarter time and cut the 27-point deficit at the first change to six by the main break.
Both sides had chances in the third however the home side wrestled control in their favour, before a four goal to two final term sealed the come from behind 21-point victory.
Tom Condon was gallant in defeat with six majors, but it was another week of letting a lead slip for Parkside, who will feel like they could be sitting in the top four.
The Eagles have the bye and can nurse sore bodies after the bruising contest.
Point Cook survived a tough battle with Spotswood, holding off the Woodsmen by just seven-points at Saltwater Reserve to claim their second win of the season.
Leading at every break, you’d be forgiven for thinking the Bulldogs were in control all afternoon however it was a see-sawing affair that went right down to the final siren.
Michael Cilmi kicked a game-high four majors in the 11.13 (79) to 10.12 (72) win, ahead of a grand final rematch in Round 6 against Werribee Districts.
Spotswood face Caroline Springs in a battle for third spot.
After trailing a halftime, a 14-goal to three second half saw Werribee Districts cruise to a 19.11 (25) to 10.10 (70) result over Altona.
The Vikings led by 10 points at the main break on the back of some strong play from Cooper Atchison and Jay Hansen but Districts came out after halftime a different side.
Lachlan Rainbow was back to his best kicking five majors while Lucas Rocci, back from a week off, had another impactful day.