PARKSIDE KEEP FINALS HOPES ALIVE, LAKERS WIN FIFTH STRAIGHT
By Connor Pain |
Caroline Springs survived an arm wrestle against Spotswood, needing three goals in the final quarter to overcome the Woodsmen 9.15 (69) to 6.9 (45) in Round 15 of TIV Division 1 Men.
Spotswood got the jump early with three brilliant team goals, but inaccurate kicking kept the lead from ballooning further as the home side were on top from the opening bounce.
The Lakers hit back to end the first and carried that momentum into the second term, however their own poor kicking kept them behind, while the Woodsmen answered each time the visitors threatened to overturn the deficit.
Having trailed by three points at the main break Brian Lake’s men took a two-point lead into the fourth quarter and then owned the last.
The Lakers would add three majors and hold the Woodsmen goalless, further inaccuracy the only reason the final margin wasn’t greater than 24 points.
Max Tessari was brilliant in the middle all afternoon with Steve Kyriazis and Cooper Pepi combining for five goals.
Caroline Springs host Altona in a tantalising Round 16 clash with Spotswood having the bye.
League leaders Werribee Districts produced an incredible fourth quarter comeback and a goal after the siren to escape with a six-point win against Point Cook.
Having kicked 2.14 up to three-quarter time, Districts came home with a wet sail kicking four final quarter majors, the last three of those including Sean Gregory’s winner coming in the space of just four and half minutes.
In the second grand final rematch of the year, the Bulldogs looked likely to get some revenge and make it two losses on the trot for the visitors before their late fightback.
Having drawn two matches this season as a result of goals after the siren, the reigning premiers got their revenge with key defender Sean Gregory the unlikely hero, his late mark and set shot goal lifting Districts to a narrow 6.17 (53) to 7.5 (47) triumph.
A loss for would have seen them concede top spot to Caroline Springs, however the win sees them retain a two-point gap over the Lakers.
Next up for Werribee Districts is a home outing against Parkside while the Bulldogs host neighbouring rivals Point Cook Centrals.
A 39-point win by Altona over Hoppers Crossing moved the Vikings ahead of the Warriors into fourth, thanks in large part to a seven-goal to two advantage over the second and third terms.
The home side led at all breaks with the game all but sewn up by the final change in the battle for fourth.
The 2022 premiers are now two points and percentage clear of the Warriors on the ladder after the 14.17 (101) to 9.5 (62) result.
Hoppers Crossing face another tough task this week when they travel to face Yarraville Seddon.
Parkside’s stingy defence and solid offence proved too much for Point Cook Centrals as the Magpies comfortably defeated the Sharks 13.12 (90) to 4.6 (30).
Goalless in two quarters, the home side had no answers all afternoon for last year’s Division 2 premiers who did as they pleased on their way to their biggest win of the campaign and their first since Round 10.
Sitting seventh on 18 points, Parkside will need to beat ladder leaders Werribee Districts this coming weekend to keep their slim finals chances alive.