By LIAM TWOMEY
SPOTSWOOD sent a timely reminder that the Western Region Football League division one premiership race is wide open with a 67-point smashing of top of the table Deer Park.
After trailing by 14 points at the opening break, the Woodsmen took complete control of the contest, holding the Lions to just one goal for the rest of the match while slamming home 14 majors of their own.
The 15.10 (100) to 4.9 (33) victory is a remarkable turnaround from the last time the two sides met in round seven when it was Deer Park which ran out 26 point winners.
“I was happy enough with our ability to play four quarters of footy,” Spotswood coach Chris O’Keefe said.
“In the past, especially against Altona and Deer Park this year, we haven’t been able to play those four good quarters of footy.
“That has ended up costing us in all those opportunities,” he said.
“It was good to get a win, another four points and hopefully now sure up the top three spot.”
Justin Dorward, Christian Elliott and Matthew Shaw were outstanding on the Spotswood forward line, each booting three goals.
Around the ground the Woodsmen were led by Shaun Ross who was named the club’s best player.
For Deer Park, Shaun Buttigieg-Clarke, Chris Stewart and Luke Buttigieg were the Lions’ only goal-scorers.
It is the second loss the club has had in the second half of the season after going through the opening nine rounds undefeated.
The blockbusters keep coming for Spotswood who will take on Sunshine when round 17 gets underway this weekend. Deer Park will look to rebound against the lowly placed Port Melbourne Colts.
“I guess this year we have tried to make sure that we have been building to get our momentum going for the end of the year,” O’Keefe said.
“It was a big step for us but at the end of the day it is just another home and away game. It is for four points. We won’t get too ahead of ourselves. We will just turn around and focus on Sunshine next week and making sure we come and play at the same level as what we did yesterday.
“Last time we played them it was a very competitive game and I am expecting the same.”
