DEVILS BREAK FROM THE PACK
By PADDY GRINDLAY
North Footscray have emerged as the chaser from the WRFL Division 2 pack, a game clear in third after overcoming a plucky Newport outfit in an entertaining afternoon at Langshaw Reserve.
With foreboding weather held off, the Devils leapt to a three-goal lead in the third term and held fast, with the good form of Samuel Kater and Jordan Eitler continuing.
Newport wouldn’t be easily defeated at home though, and wound the margin back to 12 points at three-quarter time, with Hussein Kadour yet again belying his age and experience to dominate the contest, ending the match with four goals and best-on-ground honours.
The quality of the Devils wouldn’t be denied though, with a mature fourth-quarter performance steadying, then ending the contest. Four goals from Kater and three to Eitler, Brandon Walsh and Mathew Serafin were too much to bear, the Devils kicking away to an 18.12. (120) to 14.12. (96) win.
At Glen Orden, six goals from Daniel Rosenzweig certainly troubled the omnipotent Point Cook Centrals Sharks, but not enough to serve the division’s ladder-leading team their first loss of the year.
The enigmatic Rosenzweig, known for his enthusiasm and ability to ruffle the opposition, booted nearly half of his Hawks side’s score on his home patch at Heathdale Oval, with Glen Orden staying with the Sharks to half-time, where they trailed by just nine points.
It was then that Point Cook made evident just why they’re the team to beat this year, piling on six goals to nothing in the third term to set up an 18.9. (117) to 11.12. (78) victory.
No team has gotten within four goals of the Sharks this year, with a flag tilt looking very healthy in what looks to be the first complete season since 2019.
Mitchell Palma was best afield, while Aaron Williams continued his strong year in front of goal with five majors, good enough to maintain a hold on the competition’s leading goalscorer award.
Trailing him in that tally is Albion full-forward Ben Doll, who after a quiet week against the Devils last weekend booted four in the Cats’ cruisy win over winless West Footscray.
Cody Bench, Matthew Gauci joined Doll with four majors for the men in hoops as they recorded a whopping 104-point win over the Roosters and J.R Parsons Reserve.
Darcy McPherson’s season for the Cats has been excellent, and he continued on his merry way with another strong outing, while Jordan Jobling booted two of the Roosters’ four goals.
Albion kicked 11 goals to one after half-time to run away with the 19.21. (135) to 4.7. (35) drubbing.
Finally, Parkside responded from a glum loss to the Sharks by dispatching with Wyndhamvale, 14.15. (99) to 7.6. (48).
Connor McIntosh and Jordan Mould battled manfully for the defeated Falcons, but were overcome by the Magpies’ usual suspects; Jy Lambley and Jonah Vraca.
Magpie Nathan Montague proved hard to best up forward with four goals.
Next week, North Footscray’s three-game winning streak will be tested by the gutsy Hawks at Hansen Reserve, with Glen Orden desperate to put a halt to a four-game losing skid.
West Footscray will host Newport, while Parkside face Albion, who gave them a real struggle in Round 2.
Finally, Wyndhamvale will be out to avenge a 100-point thrashing suffered at the hands of Point Cook Centrals from earlier this year when they face the Sharks at Featherbrook Reserve.