WARRIORS TOP EAGLES, VIKINGS WIN ANOTHER LATE
By Connor Pain |
Hoppers Crossing and Yarraville Seddon played out what might have been the game of the year to date in TIV Division 1, a seesawing clash that saw the reigning premiers triumph by 18 points.
Hoppers got the early jump, but the opening term belonged to the visitors before a second quarter barrage from the Warriors showed why they are a strong chance to repeat in 2025.
Inaccurate kicking was the only thing denying the hosts a bigger halftime lead and within the opening minutes of the third the game appeared headed for a one-sided ending thanks to a double-goal off the back of a free kick that saw the Warriors with a game-high 27-point lead.
Most young sides could have been forgiven for rolling over against an experienced outfit, but the Eagles just went to work.
Topping Hoppers Crossing’s second term, the visitors piled on seven straight goals to flip the game and take a 13-point buffer into the last.
As premiership sides do, the Warriors shone brightest in the last and ran out the game to perfection with a four-goal to none final term flipped the three-quarter time deficit into a 16.17 (113) to 15.5 (95) win at the final siren.
Josh Pickess was brilliant for Hoppers while Sam Clifford and Arki Van Wills were the best of the home team’s six multiple goal kickers, both finishing with three majors.
Tyson Brazel kicked five goals for the third straight game for Yarraville Seddon who will look to bounce back against Point Cook Centrals. The Warriors will look to consolidate second spot when they face Albion who suffered defeated at the hands of Point Cook on Saturday
After a couple of narrow losses Point Cook secured its second win of the season on the back of a dominant opening term away at Albion.
The visitors started the game with a five goal to zero first term to establish a 30-point lead and the margin was that at the end of three quarters thanks to strong showings from Billy Kolyniuk, Zayne Galea and Michale Cilmi (four goals).
Despite not kicking a goal in the last Saad Ghazi’s side came out on top 11.10 (76) to 7.14 (56).
Spotswood led at every break and overcame a pesky Parkside, 12.19 (91) to 7.13 (55) to end a three-game slide.
Poor kicking probably kept the margin from not ballooning further at Donald McLean Reserve as the Magpies were stifled all afternoon going forward with Nathan Haylock outstanding.
Kyle Blake was the most dangerous forward for Spotswood kicking three goals, while Bruno Laguda again had a major impact for Parkside.
The Woodsmen will take on Sunshine away from home next, and it won’t get any easier for Parkside when they play host to Werribee Districts fresh off a 140-point rout of Sunshine.
Daniel Nielson booted seven majors for last year’s runners up as the home side kicked 22 goals to one after quarter time as they defeated the Kangaroos 25.15 (165) to 3.7 (25).
Dillon Viojo-Rainbow and Josh Mould (four goals) were also busy for Werribee Districts with Matthew Medcraft and Xavier Kardachi two of Sunshine’s top performers.
Caroline Springs used an eight-goal to one second quarter to springboard its comprehensive 22.10 (142) to 7.6 (48) away win over Point Cook Centrals.
After trailing by 63 points at the main break the Sharks cut into the deficit with four goals in the third, but it was all one-way traffic in the last, the Lakers finishing well with a seven-goal term.
Coopers Pepi starred with 37 disposals while Steve Kyriazis and Frank Campisi both contributed season-best returns of five and three goals respectively.
Next up for Caroline Springs is a home encounter against Newport.
Meanwhile, on Saturday night at Newport, Altona won its third game of the season by two points or less, coming from behind to inflict a late loss on the Panthers.
Despite trailing at every break, the Vikings again willed itself over the line conceding just two points in the final term, while its own last quarter score of 1.5 was enough to secure a 10.11 (71) to 10.9 (69) victory.
Connor Wright’s season-high four goals was in vain for the Newport as Colby Redpath, Ethan Taylor and James Callaway all stepped up late for Altona.