SPOTSWOOD STATEMENT, ALTONA KEEP WINNING
By NICK BOYLAN
Wild winds blew right through RAMS Division 1 action this weekend, as the top six faced each other in must-win clashes over the E.J. Whitten Foundation’s Men’s Health Round.
Spotswood put together a performance full of class and brutal pressure, defeating Hoppers Crossing by 69-points. The Woodsmen gave their home fans the ideal start, kicking 7.5 in the first term with a hefty breeze, and keeping the Warriors to a single behind at the first change.
Hoppers Crossing coach Steve Kretiuk was irate with his side’s lack of tackling pressure, highlighting the sheer amount of “second guessing and not putting heads over the football.”
The Warriors came out strong with the wind, as David Barbieri’s pace and Brandon Houlihan’s clearance work got Hoppers Crossing slowly back into the game. However, their lack of polish going inside 50, combined with Spotswood’s Harley Walshe’s lock down on Brenton Payne, left Spotswood with a 21-point lead at half-time.
From the second half, it was the home side that showed their quality, kicking eight majors in a dominant third-term. Josh Norton and Charlie Nastasi continued to make things happen around the ball for Spotswood, while David Iacccarino was swung forward to great effect.
Well held by Corey Muscat through the first-half, Iaccarino flourished in front of goals and showed his class with two majors in the third quarter.
Spotswood were ultimately too clean and too brutal in the contest for Hoppers Crossing, notching an impressive win over an in-form side.
Elsewhere, ladder-leaders Altona are still on top, as they secured a crucial 16-point win over Deer Park. Keeping the Lions scoreless in the first quarter, Altona did face challenges right throughout the contest. Ultimately, Joel Magnabosco and the Vikings were too good when it counted, securing a quality win.
Altona will hope their winning form continues against Point Cook next weekend, while Deer Park will face a Hoppers Crossing side seeking to atone for their poor performance.
Point Cook were far too strong for Albion, securing their second win of the season to the tune of 141-points. Jack Smead starred up forward with six majors, while Todd Caulfield added five of his own in the win.
The Lakers were too strong against Sunshine, defeating the Kangaroos by 26-points.
Ex-Collingwood star Paul Medhurst was strong with three goals, while Stephen Brewer continued his strong season for Caroline Springs. Sunshine will return home next weekend, hoping they can return to the winners list against St Albans.
The Saints will also be looking to notch a victory, as they went down to Werribee Districts by 18-points. St Albans held a slim nine-point lead at the main change, but a seven goal third-term from the Tigers drastically changed the game.
Cameron Lee was excellent up forward with six goals, while Joshua Mould continued his excellent 2019 form for Werribee Districts. The strong response to last week’s loss to Hoppers Crossing should hold the Tigers in good stead, as they face Spotswood in a ladder-shaping clash next weekend.