TOP FIVE LOCKED IN AHEAD OF FINAL ROUND
The top five of TIV Division 1 Men has been locked in with a round to play in the home and away season.
With Werribee Districts, Caroline Springs, Yarraville Seddon and Hoppers Crossing having already secured their finals spot ahead Round 17, Altona joined them after defeating Parkside, while a Spotswood loss against Werribee Districts ruled the Woodsmen out of finals contention.
Altona moved back into fourth spot courtesy of a 9.10 (64) to 7.15 (55) triumph at Merv Hughes Oval in Parkside’s last game of the 2024 campaign with the Magpies having the bye in Round 18.
In a low scoring and close contest, the Vikings led at every change, but Parkside closed within five points in the final quarter before the visitors did enough to collect their eighth win of the year.
Tane Roordink starred up forward for the Vikings kicking a season-high five goals.
Altona will host Point Cook Centrals this coming weekend following a loss to Caroline Springs.
Brian Lake returned for the Lakers and kicked a game-high four goals in his first game since Round 12, helping his side to a 13.10 (88) to 9.8 (62) victory over the Sharks.
A five-goal opening quarter was the Lakers’ best of the game, while they led by 39 points at three-quarter time before the visitors added three goals to one in the last to reduce the final margin.
For Caroline Springs the result sets up a final round top of the table clash with Werribee Districts with the winner claiming the minor premiership and getting the first week of finals off.
A first quarter blitz from Werribee Districts was the catalyst for a 16.15 (111) to 12.4 (76) win against Spotswood.
The reigning premiers enjoyed their best start to a game this season piling on seven opening term goals, establishing a 30-point quarter time lead before growing their advantage over the next two terms.
Lachlan Rainbow kicked five goals, equaling his season high.
A four-goal fourth quarter was Spotswood’s best of the game while Jack Charleston was again one of the standouts for the Woodsmen gathering 40 disposals.
Spotswood end their season against Yarraville Seddon who locked up third on the ladder with a big win against Point Cook.
The Eagles also started their day strong kicking six goals in the first quarter and never relented kicking at least three goals in each of the next three stanzas.
They finished with five multiple goal scorers with Isaac Kaddour and Spencer Wray the best with three majors in the 16.15 (111) to 7.6 (48) triumph.
After missing the previous match Billy Kolyniuk returned and was named best on for the Bulldogs.
Point Cook are away to Hoppers Crossing in Round 18.