By PEPPE CAVALIERI - Division 1 Seniors
SPOTSWOOD has dealt Werribee Districts’ finals prospects a huge blow at the weekend, snatching a last-gasp triumph in a match it never had much right to win.
The Tigers led all day – and a victory would have almost guaranteed a top five birth.
But they didn’t score in the final term as the Woodsmen turned a 21-point, three-quarter-time deficit into a thrilling two-point win.
With scores tied late in the final term, Gareth Newton had a set shot from the tip of the goal square to give the Woodsmen a six-point lead, but kicked it into the man on the mark.
A behind was rushed, and they scored one more time to hold on 8.15 (63) to 9.7 (61).
While Spotswood’s place in second is sewn up, Werribee Districts must beat Albion in the final round and hope Altona lose to St Albans to make finals.
Even a Tigers-Cats draw would be enough should the Vikings falter, it sets up an intriguing finish to the Division 1 season.
In another match that had a significant bearing on the top five, Sunshine beat Altona by 24-points.
Ben McInneny kicked four goals for the Roos, while Ben Christodoulou was terrific with three and Ben Dessent earned best-afield honours.
Five goals to Steve Kennedy wasn’t enough to drag the Vikings across the line, who will control their own destiny this coming weekend.
A win against St Albans will earn Altona the final spot in the finals, regardless of what Werribee Districts can conjure.
Hoppers Crossing grinded to a 25-point win against Albion on Saturday, and remains in the hunt for the double chance.
The Warriors are just percentage behind the Kangaroos in fourth place, and a win against Wyndhamvale in round 18 could see them leapfrog the Roos into third.
Sunshine must defeat Deer Park to ensure a double chance.
The Lions continued their dominant form at the weekend, thrashing Caroline Springs by 99-points.
Despite a good performance from James Ryan and only a 27-point deficit at half-time, the Lakers couldn’t contain the Lions, who booted 15 second-half majors.
Six goals to Chris Stewart and five each to Jase Perkins and Kwame McHarg highlighted Deer Park’s dominance.
And finally, Wyndhamvale won its second game of the season, outlasting St Albans by 16 points.
Bol Kolang and Luke Klein-Breteler kicked a couple each for the Falcons, who moved equal on points with Caroline Springs, but couldn’t lift themselves off the bottom of the ladder.
ALTONA JUMP TO THE TOP OF THE LADDER
By CONNOR PAIN – Division 1 Reserves
ALTONA has jumped to the top of the ladder following its hard fought eight-point win against previous leaders Sunshine in a low-scoring affair.
In what could be a Grand Final preview, the Vikings showed their class to come from behind at the three quarter time break.
The home side booted four goals to one in the final term as they proved too much for Sunshine, the 8.5. (53) to 6.9. (45) win leaves them in prime position to finish the season in first place.
Altona now just needs to win its final regular season game against St. Albans to keep its place at the top of the ladder, while Sunshine will need a Vikings loss and a win of its own against Deer Park if they are to jump back into first.
The Werribee Districts have all but confirmed their place in the finals with a 9.13. (67) to 9.7. (61) win against Spotswood, the Woodsmen now out of the race for a finals spot.
The visitors trailed throughout the first half but had 14 scoring shots to three in the second half which proved the difference.
Andrew Taylor kicked four goals for the Districts in the six-point win, who now sit in fifth place, a game ahead of Caroline Springs.
Werribee will host Albion in the season’s final round looking to remain in fifth place while the Woodsmen will look for a win in their last game of the season.
Aaron Williams’ five goals led the way for Hoppers Crossing in their 13.9. (87) to 3.7. (25) victory against Albion.
The 62-point win keeps the Warriors in the race for top spot, but will need both Altona and Sunshine to lose if they are to jump both sides on the ladder. Hoppers faces Wyndhamvale this week.
Albion’s 13th loss of the year means they’ll need a big win and St. Albans to lose if they are to avoid finishing second-last on the ladder.
Jye King booted a competition-high 10 majors in Deer Park’s 69-point thrashing of Caroline Springs, the win should see them finish with the best percentage in the league.
The 17.7. (109) to 6.4. (40) win means the Lions will finish with at least four more wins than last season, leaving them in a good position for a finals charge.
Last Modified on 14/08/2017 14:20