VIKINGS CONQUER WOODSMEN, BULLDOGS ON TOP

By CONNOR PAIN

Altona used a four goal to zero third quarter to overcome a tough Spotswood by 31 points, making it two wins from two for the reigning premiers.

The Vikings were made to work as they were blitzed early by the Woodsmen who kicked the opening three goals of the match.

The visitors brought immense pressure at the contest and a stout defence in the first term, showing vast improvement on their Round 1 loss.

Slowly but surely the home side worked their way back into it, turning an eight-point deficit at the first break into an 11-point lead at the half.

A dominant premiership quarter changed the game however, all but putting the result to bed.

Spotswood were held to just two behinds in the third as Altona’s pressure rose to the occasion, before both sides booting one goal in the final term, the Vikings running out 12.6.78 to 6.10.46 victors.

Joel Menadue led the way with four majors while Jaden Rice was a standout in the middle.

Altona battle Point Cook in Round 3, while Spotswood will look for their first win of the season against Hoppers Crossing.

The Bulldogs used a balanced attack for a complete four-quarter performance, downing Yarraville Seddon Eagles 12.11.83 to 7.9.51.

Point Cook jumped out of the blocks with nine scoring shots (five goals) to four for a 25-point lead after the first and didn’t let up for the entire afternoon, thanks to eight different Bulldogs hitting the scoreboard and they now sit top of the Division One ladder.

The Eagles now sit 0-2 and a tough matchup against Caroline Springs awaiting them this week.

Caroline Springs proved too much for Division One newcomers Point Cook Centrals, a 16.11.107 to 9.8.62 win solidifying the Lakers premierships aspirations in 2023.

The home side led at each break and were rarely troubled after opening a dominant 30-point buffer at the first break.

The Sharks are still in search of a first win and will be up against it when they host 2022 grand finalists Werribee Districts in Round 3.