YARRAVILLE CLAIM THE VICTORY
By CONNOR PAIN
Yarraville Seddon Eagles produced its biggest win of the season, knocking off reigning premiers Altona, putting them just two games outside the top four.
The Eagles were made to work for their third win in four matches, holding on under a Vikings onslaught.
The visitors got off to a fantastic start but inaccurate kicking kept their lead from ballooning further than the 10-points they led by at the first quarter break.
Four goals in the second term put the Vikings up by a goal at the half, but they were well beaten after the restart as the Eagles shut down any forays forward and kept them to just two behinds.
Down six to up 13 going into the last quarter, Yarraville Seddon needed to hold on tight as the home side through everything when going forward but it wasn’t to be.
Despite seven total scoring shots to just one, Altona couldn’t catch the visitors as the Eagles ran out 10.9(69) to 8.14(62) winners.
Altona face Point Cook in Round Ten with the Vikings needing a win to stop its losing streak to reach three games, while the Eagles travel to face Caroline Springs.
Point Cook survived by the skin of its teeth, downing rivals Point Cook Centrals by just one point in tough conditions.
Trailing at each break, the Bulldogs willed themselves to victory with three goals in the last quarter despite just one through the first three.
Another close loss will haunt the Sharks but just one total behind in the second and fourth terms doomed the visitors.
Point Cook Centrals couldn’t have asked for a tougher opponent in Round 10, a date with Werribee Districts awaiting them.
Caroline Springs cruised to its second win in a row, comfortably dispatching Hoppers Crossing 13.14(92) to 6.12(48).
The Lakers weren’t troubled all day as the Warriors struggled to score until the game was beyond doubt, the 44-point victory keeping the 2022 minor premiers in the hunt for a top two finish ahead of a battle with Spotswood.
Werribee Districts used 12 individual goal kickers as they remain undefeated thanks to a 16.10(106) to 4.9(33) triumph against Spotswood.
The Tigers were dominant going forward with Michael Luxford booting a game-high three majors in the 73-point win.