By Michael EspositoBy Michael Esposito
SPOTSWOOD was its own worst enemy but still overcame Port Melbourne in round two of the WRFL on Saturday.
Despite kicking one goal less than Port Melbourne, Spotswood still prevailed by 13 points, such was the wayward kicking.
Port Melbourne on the other hand made the most of its opportunities, kicking 12.4.76. Spotswood’s scorecard read 11.23.89.
“Our goalkicking was disastrous,” Spotswood coach Chris O’Keefe said.
“(Port Melbourne) were able to keep themselves in the game and it got pretty tight in the last quarter.”
Spotswood had Port Melbourne’s measure in general play but had little breathing space all game. The Woodsmen were three points up at three-quarter time and kicked four goals to three in the last to secure victory. The final stanza was the only quarter Spotswood kicked more goals than points.
“We certainly had a lot more opportunities and a lot more of the play in our half,” O’Keefe said.
“We’d go down and kick two or three points and they’d go up and kick a goal, so it would be one of those things which is very frustrating and disappointing, you’re doing all the hard work and not getting the rewards from it.
“A win’s a win and against Port Colts, who are a very much improved side from last year, it’s good, they’ve got some good new recruits and play very well so I’ll take four points against them any day.”
Michael Lewis and Michael Fogarty were among the Woodsmen’s best players, while new recruits Torin Baker, in his debut, and star recruit Jason Cloke were dominant.
“(Baker) worked extremely hard and got plenty of the footy. It was a good for him to have a run with us and get a feel for it and he certainly acquitted himself very well,” O’Keefe said.
“(Cloke) marked everything that came near him all day which is what we expect him to do.
David Mcgregor starred for the Colts, booting seven goals.
O’Keefe lauded the performance of 18-year-old ruck-man William Overton-Skinner, who performed commend-ably against one of the league’s most celebrated players, Brad Julier.
“He got better and better around the ground as the game went on and he’s going to be a real player of the future. We’ll continue to play him in the next couple of weeks for us and we’ll go from there.”
Spotswood will take on Altona after the Easter break on 30 April in what has become a highly anticipated derby given Altona’s tremendous start to the season.
“They’ve put on a couple of really good performances already this year and are obviously very much improved, so we’ll be making sure we bring our ‘A’ game that week,” O’Keefe said.
In other results, reigning premiers Albion had its first win of the season with a five-point win over Hoppers Crossing, while newly promoted North Footscray defeated Sunshine Heights by 51 points to continue their dream start to Division 1. St Albans easily accounted for Glen Orden.
