WERRIBBE DISTRICTS IMPROVE TO 6-0, PARKSIDE MOVE UP
By Connor Pain |
Parkside overcame a slow start and produced a dominant second half to defeat Point Cook Centrals 15.13 (103) to 6.9 (45) in Round 6 of the TIV Division 1 Men’s season.
Star forward Tom Condon shined with a competition-high eight goals, as the Magpies jumped from second last to fourth with their second win of the campaign.
The Sharks, missing several of their best players, were strong early after a disappointing performance in Round 5 and led at quarter time.
But not much went right after the first break as the home side’s defence was immense, conceding just four goals over the final three terms.
The Sharks had no answers as the Magpies piled on eight goals to two after halftime, seeing a 20-point advantage balloon to 57-point by the final siren.
O’Neill Moncreiff (Parkside) and Mitch Palma (Centrals) both finished with 38 disposals at Merv Hughes Oval.
The loss leaves Centrals with a lot of questions ahead of another tough clash this coming weekend against Spotswood, while Parkside host Hoppers Crossing.
Back-to-back wins have the Warriors alive in 2024 and percentage off the top four after a 16-point triumph against Altona.
Both sides brought their A game defensively which left scoring at a premium, however it was the home side who rode a three-goal to one third term to secure a 8.4 (52) to 5.6 (36) victory.
The Vikings’ ongoing troubles to hit the scoreboard sees them bottom of the ladder, a stark form reversal for last year’s finalists and the 2022 premiers.
It was no surprise that backmen claimed best on ground honours for both teams with Braden Ferrari brilliant for Hoppers Crossing while for Altona, Cooper Atchinson continuing his strong season.
Werribee Districts again turned it on after halftime as they dispatched of Point Cook by 34 points in a rematch of last year’s Division 1 decider.
Despite being a different side to the one that ran out on Grand Final day, the Bulldogs didn’t take a backwards step with only inaccurate goal kicking stopping them from leading at halftime.
However, the good times didn’t last for Point Cook as the home side pulled away after the main break as they so often do, extending their lead over the final two terms to remain unbeaten in 2024.
Key position pair Ben McMahon and Jack Fletcher (three goals) impressed with Shaun Wyatt the top performer for the Bulldogs.
The 13.17 (95) to 8.13 (61) win maintains Districts’ two-game buffer at the top of the table, meaning even with the bye in Round 7 they’ll remain ladder leaders.
Caroline Springs overcame their own slow start to trump Spotswood 17.8 (110) to 7.8 (50).
Booting 15 goals to four after quarter time would see the Lakers post their biggest score of the season with coach Brian Lake the focal point in attack kicking four majors.
Max Tessari returned from a two-game absence to star for the home team while Sam Cross contributed three goals to be the Woodsmen’s best.
Caroline Springs will aim to cut into Werribee Districts’ stronghold on top of the ladder when they host Point Cook next.