WOODSMEN PREVAIL OVER THE WARRIORS IN MEN’S HEALTH ROUND
By CONNOR PAIN
Spotswood won a rain soaked and windy rock fight against Hoppers Crossing to keep pace with the top four.
The Woodsmen were made to work in all four quarters in the 12.13(85) to 10.11(71) win, the Warriors a tough foe all afternoon.
The home side kicked with the wind in the first and despite steady rain they weren’t deterred. They doubled the Warriors first quarter score (40 to 20) and looked the goods.
Hoppers Crossing worked themselves back into the contest on the back of Ashlin Brown and Joshua Pickess as they cut the deficit to just one major going into the main break.
The arm wrestle continued after the half and despite the visitors being the better of the two sides, they still trailed going into the final term.
It was all Spotswood in the last however as Hoppers Crossing just couldn’t get clean use of the ball and opportunities in the forward half of the ground.
The Woodsmen ground out the tough 14-point win that saw Brandon Walshe and Ethan Bentley kick two goals each.
They can make it back to back wins in this week when they face Point Cook Centrals, while Hoppers Crossing have their work cut out for them when they host Altona.
Altona bounced back from two consecutive defeats to down Point Cook by nine-points, holding off a spirited last quarter comeback by the Bulldogs.
A four goal to zero opening term was the perfect start for the Vikings who continued to cruise as the game progressed.
The win looked certain but stout defence and a six goal to one final term nearly saw Point Cook snatch victory, but Altona’s lead was too big to chase down.
Saad El-Hawli starred in the 9.6(60) to 7.9(51) win with two majors and a best-on ground performance.
Point Cook can rebound in Round 11 when they host Caroline Springs.
The Lakers made it three wins on the bounce thanks to a dominant second half that saw them kick nine goals to one as they ran out 37-point winners against Yarraville Seddon.
The 13.9(87) to 6.14(50) win keeps the Lakers in fourth, while Yarraville Seddon sit sixth ahead of a tough contest this week against Werribee Districts.
Lachlan Rainbow’s game-high four goals extended his lead as the competition’s leading goal kicker in Werribee District’s comfortable 13.13(91) to 6.6(42) triumph against Point Cook Centrals.