WARRIORS WIN BIG, FLEMINGTON SCORE THIRD WIN
By SAM RICHARDS
After a weekend off the 2019 TIV Under 18’s boy’s competition continued on Friday night and so did the run of record-breaking goal scoring performances!
Just one round removed from Altona’s stunning 41-goal effort, fifth-placed Hoppers Crossing 1 kicked 48 goals on their way to a 302-point victory over the Werribee Centrals.
The Warriors offensive masterpiece now marks the third consecutive round at least one team in the under 18’s competition has kicked over 30 goals in a game.
The Warriors kicking for goal was one of the highlights of the game – from 62 scoring shots, the Warriors converted 48 goals, an accuracy of over 77 percent.
A major reason behind this was the remarkable performances by forwards Ahmed Haddara (21 goals) and Bilal Chehade (11 goals) and who kicked 32 goals between them.
In the league’s other games, the leagues number-one ranked side – the Altona Vikings – overcame another stern early season test, defeating the fourth placed Yarraville Seddon Eagles by 73-points.
Known for their scoring prowess, the Vikings victory was highlighted by suffocating defense in and around the contest; a large reason why the highly fancied Eagles went scoreless for the entire second half, on their way to kicking their lowest score of the season.
For the Vikings, Silver Yousif kicked 4 goals, while Saad El-Hawli (2 goals) and Bailey Kelly played exquisite games.
Hoppers Crossing 2 claimed their second victory of the season with a 74-point win over the Sunshine Kangaroos, 18.9. (117) to 6.7 (43).
For the winners, Samuel Clifford was voted best on ground for his tireless four quarter effort, while Jayden Danaher (3 goals) and Blake Macdougall (3 goals) contributed 6 goals collectively.
Flemington Juniors recorded their third win of the season with a 61-point win over St Albans in Round 8’s Friday night clash.
After an even first half, the Juniors used a 5-goal third quarter to eventually break away from Saints, winning 13.11. (89) to 4.4 (28).
In the battle between seventh and eighth, Spotswood came away with a forceful 76-point win over Point Cook at home, 19.15 (129) to 8.5 (53).
Lastly, Carline Springs continue to entrench themselves in the top-3 after a commanding 98-point win over Werribee Districts 2, consigning the Tigers to their third consecutive loss of the season.
After a tight, low scoring first quarter, the Lakers would go on to kick 18 of their 20 goals over the next three quarters led by first gamer Oscar Gordon (4 goals), David Milic (3 goals) and Harry Failli (2 goals).
At the conclusion of Round 8, Spotswood’s third consecutive victory moves them into the top 6, while Caroline Springs strong form see’s the Lakers climb to second spot, trailing the top of ladder Vikings by just percentage.