VIKINGS FINALS EXPERIENCE SHINES THROUGH
By CONNOR PAIN
Werribee Districts were back at their blistering best and are one win away from capping a dominant season, a 16.11(107) to 8.8(56) win over Point Cook dispelling any questions on the Tigers recent form.
10 players hit the scoreboard for the minor premiers who can now rest and recover with a week off ahead of the TIV Division One Grand Final.
Any potential upset bids were ended quickly as Werribee raced out of the blocks, five goals to two in the opening term the perfect set up for the victors as they dominated from the opening bounce.
The Bulldogs stemmed the bleeding in the second but couldn’t stop the ‘home’ side from pushing its quarter time lead from 22 to 26 going into the main break.
The restart didn’t halt the flag favourites momentum as their lead ballooned thanks to a rampaging seven goal to one quarter, showing why Districts lost just one game all season.
Point Cook were able to win the final term but the damage had been done, Werribee winning by 51-points and through to a second consecutive season decider.
The loss will sting but there’s no time to rest for Point Cook, who will now face Altona with a spot in the grand final on the line next week.
The reigning premiers kept their hopes of a repeat alive with a wire to wire 9.14(68) to 6.18(54) upset win over Yarraville Seddon.
The Eagles entered having won six of its past seven games but it was the Vikings who were far too good, a 28-0 opening term all Altona needed as they held on despite a scoreless final term.
Joel and Connor Menadue showed their big game nous booting five combined goals that vital on an inaccurate day for both sides, a combined 32 points registered.
The Eagles dug themselves too deep of a hole as they managed just two goals to half time, the Vikings finals experience shining through in the 14-point triumph and keeping them alive for at least one more week.
It’s a disappointing end for the Eagles who were the form team of the competition heading into the finals, left rueing multiple missed opportunities in front of goals.