STEWART AND ROSE LEAD TEAMS TO VICTORY
By CONNOR PAIN
Chris Stewart’s 10 goals helped Deer Park cruise to a 90-point win over Sunshine to earn their 10th win of the season.
The wire-to-wire win was capped off by a brilliant fourth term that saw the Lions boot eight goals to one, highlighting how good the reigning premiers are at their best.
The loss makes it all the more difficult for last year’s grand finalists in their hunt for a finals position.
Sunshine sit a game and a half behind Spotswood on the ladder and with five games remaining, their chances of playing finals are fading.
It will be all on the line this Saturday, when they travel to Dreamstreet Lending Oval to take on Spotswood, who have lost their past three matches.
One goal in the first half and seven in the second half isn’t the usual recipe for success, but it worked for Hoppers Crossing as they overturned a 17-point three quarter time deficit to run out nine-point victors against the Woodsman.
The 8.10. (58) to 7.7. (49) win seemed unlikely given the Warriors had struggled to play their best football, but when the game was on the line and the race for top spot wide open, they stood up and scored an important come from behind victory.
Matt Ryan kicked four goals in the second half while Jordan Cook was best on ground for Hoppers Crossing.
Elsewhere, St Albans won its third game of the season, comfortably downing Wyndhamvale by 49-points.
The Saints led at each break and kicked away in the final quarter with six goals, but it was their defence in the second term that set up the win as they held the Falcons to just a solitary behind.
David Kovacevic continued his good form in the 17.18. (120) to 11.5. (71) win, earning his second best-on ground performance in the past three weeks as St Albans moved from ninth to seventh.
Five goals to zero in the third term helped the Werribee Districts overcome a pesky Caroline Springs by 15 points and remain on top of the ladder.
Seven scoring shots to two for the Lakers in the final term made things interesting, but Werribee did enough to earn the 10.7. (67) to 7.10. (52) win.
Aaron Law kicked three goals, Chris Molivas added two majors, while Rhyce Prismall was prolific for the Tigers.
Nathan Aidonis was the Lakers’ best.
Werribee Districts will next take on Hoppers Crossing, the in-form team of the RAMS Division 1 competition.
Finally, Patrick Rose’s competition-high 11 goals paced Altona in its 24.9. (153) to 7.8. (50) thumping of Albion.
The Vikings were on top all day but a blistering 11 goal last quarter turned the game from a comfortable win into a 103-point rout.