In the race … Altona’s Ben Fogarty breaks clear. 66859 Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT
ALTONA’S 17-point win against Sunshine was crucial to its quest to secure a double chance come finals time.
The Vikings set the win up with a 5.5 (35) to 0.0 (0) first quarter against the struggling Kangaroos.
An under-strength Sunshine showed character to restrict Altona to three goals in the second half and kick six of its own, but it was always playing catch-up.
Sunshine remains stranded in seventh spot with three wins, and a finals berth is all but a lost cause.
Altona has a chance to prove its premiership credentials when it takes on top side Spotswood this Saturday.
Albion and Hoppers Crossing played out a thrilling draw, with the scores locked at 10.16 (76) apiece at the final siren.
The Warriors got the jump on the Cats and were 11 points up at quarter-time, but Albion went into half-time with a three-point lead, then extended it to 13 points at the last break.
But Hoppers Crossing refused to give in and displayed a new-found determination that has been on full display since the Warriors were embarrassed by Spotswood in round seven.
The Warriors have proven to be a tough match-up for the Cats, who have shown to have the measure of most other clubs. Albion defeated Hoppers crossing by just five points in round two.
Sunshine Heights recorded its second and most satisfying victory of the season, against North Footscray. The Dragons defeated the Devils 11.11 (77) to 7.14 (56).
Sunshine kicked five goals to one in the first quarter for a handy lead, but North Footscray challenged the Dragons in the second quarter, cutting the margin to two goals at the main break.
But the Dragons showed character to wrest back control in the third quarter and hold on for a morale-boosting win.
Sunshine Heights’ Nicholas Mallia, who is coming second in radio station SEN’s division one most valuable player award, was best on ground.
St Albans had no trouble against bottom side Glen Orden, which had caretaker coach Justin Menzel in charge after the club parted ways with Jason Fastuca. The Saints won a predictably one-sided game 28.29 (197) to 1.8 (14). Aaron Henneman kicked 11 goals.
