ROUND 12 TIV UNDER 18 RE-CAP
By SAM RICHARDS
Round 12 of the 2019 TIV Under 18’s competition featured two blockbuster clashes between the leagues current top four sides, while a lowly ranked team pulled off one of the great upsets of the season, despite kicking just one-goal for the game.
In a pulsating clash at Grant Reserve, top of the table Altona defeated third-place Caroline Springs by 42-points on Saturday, extending their stay at the top of the ladder for a third consecutive week.
A week removed from conceding just three points against St Albans, the Vikings delivered another defensive masterclass, holding a potent Lakers offence to just two majors for the entire game on their way to a 8.10. (58) to 2.4. (16) win.
It was the Lakers lowest score of the season.
Through a strong midfield showing, not to mention a well-rounded spread of goalkickers and it was little surprise the high stakes clash was played on the Vikings terms for most of the contest.
In what was arguably the Vikings most impressive win since their round nine dismantling of the Eagles, Altona was strongly led by Chaitanya Sarikonda and Lars Vidovic, while Luke Whatman provided exceptional value in just his first game for Altona.
Elsewhere, 12th place Hoppers Crossing 2 upset 8th placed Werribee Districts 2 in a remarkably low scoring affair, claiming a 13-point victory, despite only kicking one goal for the entire game.
The Warriors won 1.12 (18) to 0.5 (5).
For the winners, Bilal Hammad and Isaac Cohen were busy all day, while Ali Elhawli was the lone goal scorer.
Point Cook defeated Werribee Centrals by 93-points thanks to a strong opening term in which the Bulldogs kicked seven goals to one.
The Dogs victory was their fifth win of the season, placing them comfortably inside the top 8.
After a tough loss the previous week, Yarraville Seddon responded impressively claiming an important five-point victory over Spotswood, 10.9 (69) to 9.10 (64).
The Eagles kicked five last quarter goals to overcome a 13-point deficit in what was a thrilling contest between fifth and sixth.
Meanwhile in the other top four clash, Hoppers Crossing 1 leap frogged Werribee Districts 1, to claim second spot on the ladder, after the Warriors won by 30-points.
After a tense first half with little separation between the two sides, the Warriors would restrict Districts 1 to just four behinds for the second half.
For the 9-2 winners, Dylan Blair’s 3 goals were a game high, while Kevin Vo played a prominent part in the important victory.
In the final game of the round Flemington Juniors defeated Sunshine by 14-points.