PROMOTED PARKSIDE TRIUMPH FOR FIRST TIME
By Connor Pain |
Parkside didn’t have to wait long for its first win in the club’s return to Division 1 football, downing Spotswood 11.9 (75) to 7.10 (52) in Round 2.
Recruit Tom Condon starred for the Magpies with a game-high six goals in the 23-point win at Henry Turner Reserve.
The Woodsmen got the spoils early with Kyle Blake firing to give his side a narrow lead at quarter time, but early success faded quickly as the game flipped to the home team’s favour.
The Magpies’ stifling defence proved stingy after the first break as they restricted Spotswood to just four majors in the final three terms.
Leading by 15 points at three quarter time, any comeback fears were quickly allayed in the final term as the home side secured victory, the perfect response after a tough Round 1 loss.
Parkside’s next challenge is against Caroline Springs, while Spotswood will look to get back to winning ways when they host Altona.
A four-goal to none second quarter helped Altona knock off last year’s grand finalists Point Cook by 19 points, in their first outing of 2024 after an opening round bye.
A tight tussle in the first term saw the Vikings hold the slimmest of leads at the first break, however a burst out of the blocks after the restart was all the buffer the hosts needed.
Altona’s speed and pace around the ground wore the Bulldogs down, and a five-goal deficit at three quarter time was too much to overcome.
The Vikings ran out 10.8 (68) to 7.7 (49) victors, Joel Menadue and James Callaway booting three majors each with Braxton Simms Point Cook’s best.
The bye in Round 3 comes at a good time for Point Cook after injuries to Nick Buykx, Daniel Burton and Heath Schiavello compounded the loss.
Werribee Districts showed no signs of slowing down in a 51-point defeat of Yarraville Seddon.
Ten individual goalkickers highlighted Districts’ balanced attack with big-man Ben McMahon leading the way with three majors.
The reigning premiers extended their lead at every change with some inaccurate kicking keeping the margin from ballooning further in the 15.12 (102) to 7.9 (51) win.
Districts pair Lucas Rocci and Lachlan Smith continued their strong starts to the season as did Darcy Grieves for the Eagles.
Anzac Day and Hoppers Crossing await Districts in a matchup of fierce rivals, while the Eagles host Point Cook Centrals who return from a week off.
Caroline Springs held off a determined Hoppers Crossing 9.18 (72) to 6.12 (48), Bailey Raak’s four goals a feature of his side’s 24-point victory.
Neither side was accurate in front of goal at Hogans Road Reserve, but it was the Lakers stout defence and the influence of ruckman Alex Paech that helped the visitors produce their first win of the season after a disappointing opening round result to Yarraville Seddon.
Jed Anderson and Braden Ferrari were again amongst the best performers for Hoppers who remain winless.