HOPPERS HIT BACK, INFLICTING FIRST LOSS ON DISTRICTS
By Connor Pain |
Hoppers Crossing ended Werribee Districts quest for a perfect season with a comprehensive 49-point win in Round 14 of the TIV Division 1 competition in the weekend’s WFNL Match of the Day.
With Jed Anderson back for the Warriors the home side started on fire with inaccurate kicking the only reason an initial lead didn’t balloon by more in the early stages of the first term.
Werribee would hit back though despite kicking against the breeze, a brilliant Jordan Patty goal the highlight as the visitors found going forward tough.
The first break and wind advantage helped the ladder leaders, but it was Hoppers Crossing who won the second quarter and entered the main break ahead by a solitary goal.
Jared Polec’s halftime address had an instant effect, as it was all one-way traffic after the restart as the hosts piled on 12 total scoring shots in a dominant third quarter.
With Werribee struggling just for opportunities in their forward 50, the Warriors pressure went to another level as they saw out any slim comeback hopes with the opening goal of the final term.
After two losses in their past three, the 11.20 (86) to 5.7 (37) victory was the best showing of the season for Hoppers Crossing, who remain second ahead of a clash with Point Cook this week.
Meanwhile, Werribee has another top four clash this time against Caroline Springs who enjoyed a comfortable 33-point triumph against Parkside.
Set up by a six goal to one opening stanza, the Lakers led all afternoon and maintain their chase of second or third on the ladder.
Five goals from Steve Kyriazis and a best on ground performance by Jamie Ristoski leading the visitors to a 13.13 (91) to 8.10 (518) win away from home.
Tom Condon the standout for the losing side with five majors, the Magpies hosting Albion next in a Friday night game to kick off Round 15.
Inaccurate kicking kept Yarraville Seddon from blowing out Sunshine, the visitors too good in the 12.19 (91) to 8.5 (53) win.
With a monstrous 14 scoring shots in the first quarter alone, the Eagles were firing on all cylinders besides front of goal accuracy as they took control early.
Young guns Daniel Snell, West Barker and Issac Kaddour all impressed on the day as the final margin finished at 38 points after a four-goal finish by the Kangaroos.
A date with rivals Spotswood awaits Yarraville Seddon, while Sunshine head to face fellow promoted side Newport.
Rising star Oliver Castro booted four majors in Spotswood’s thumping 17.18 (120) to 6.9 (45) victory over Altona.
A tight contest to halftime, the Woodsmen’s 10 goal to three second half sparked the 75-point win as Altona’s finals chances are all but over, Point Cook Centrals awaiting this week in a must-win clash.
Albion did exactly what it had to do to keep pace with Spotswood downing Newport by 62 points.
In a low scoring opening half, it was the defensive work of Josiah Garisto and Maysen Murgov that helped the Cats to a 12-point lead at the main break.
The home team then got their offence to click for the final two quarters with Jess Cavanagh finishing with a season-best four goals in the 16.8 (104) to 6.6 (42) win.
Meanwhile, Point Cook destroyed rivals Point Cook Centrals 18.11(119) to 5.5 (35) at Saltwater Reserve.
The Bulldogs were brilliant defensively with the Sharks only able to register one goal across the first three quarters as Heath Schiavello and Tyler Kolyniuk led the way down back while Nick Buykx and Zayne Galea both kicked three goals in an even spread up forward.