Elliott Wood takes a strong chest mark for Spotswood in tough conditions on Saturday. 80970 Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT
By LIAM TWOMEY
SUNSHINE continued its good start to the Western Region Football League season, thrashing North Footscray by 57 points on Saturday.
Patrick Wiggins was up to his usual tricks in front of goal, kicking six majors for Sunshine in a dominating performance inside the 50 metre arc. He was well supported by Paul Sheehan, Ben McInneny and Cory Connor who all kicked three.
The Kangaroos didn’t have it all their own way though, with North Footscray making the better start of the two sides in the wet and greasy conditions at Kinder Smith Reserve.
Some accurate kicking helped the Devils shoot away to a five-point lead at the first break, and the margin only increased during an impressive second quarter.
Rikki Newton and Cameron D’Altera were working hard for North Footscray around the goals while a number of telling possessions from Josh Riddle gave further weight to the possibility of an upset win.
However, after staring down a 15-point half time deficit, it was a different Kangaroos unit that emerged from the dressing rooms.
Sunshine began to win more of the ball around the ground and made the most of their good work on the scoreboard, kicking eight third-quarter goals to turn the match on its head.
Once they hit the front, there was no turning back either as the margin only increased in the final quarter and Sunshine ran out with an impressive win, 17.13 (115) to 9.4 (58).
The result lifts Sunshine to third place on the WRFL ladder with the club hot on the heels of competition pace setters Spotswood and Albion who both remain undefeated.
Jason Cloke was at his imposing best for the Woodsmen on Saturday, kicking five goals in the club’s 53 point win over the Port Melbourne Colts, 18.12 (120) to 10.7 (67).
Cloke now has 24 goals for the season from just four games, and continues to make backlines nervous week in week out.
He was well supported by a number of contributors in an even performance from the competition’s front runners.
Christian Elliott, Benjamin Pope and Chase Morgan all booted two goals while there was no stopping Tom Langlands who was named best on ground.
In other WRFL results, Hoppers Crossing handed Sunshine Heights an almighty thrashing, bring up a 205-point win.
The poor conditions didn’t seem to bother the Warriors’ players who did as they pleased during the 38.15 (243) to 6.2 (38) win.
Six Hoppers Crossing players finished the match with four or more goals with eight from Thomas Jehle the highlight.
Also, Altona defeated St Albans and Deep Park knocked off Albion to complete round four.
