Spotswood’s Jason Cloke was back to his best with four goals against Hoppers Crossing on Saturday. 86875_06 Picture: DAMIAN VISENTINI
By ADEM SARICAOGLU
SPOTSWOOD will meet Altona in next week’s WRFL division one grand final after smashing Hoppers Crossing by 48 points on Saturday.
The Warriors were brave, but the battled-hardened Woodsmen proved too good the longer the game went, coming back from five points down at quarter-time to book their place in the decider.
Two quick Spotswood goals in the opening minutes threatened to set the tone for the day at Avalon Airport Oval, but the Warriors rallied to kick the next four majors with a steady wind at their backs.
Missing coach and midfielder Chris O’Keefe with a minor hamstring complaint, Spotswood power forward Jason Cloke stepped up to the plate and rekindled his sense for goals in the second term, helping lift the Woodsmen to a 14-point half-time lead.
Hoppers Crossing star forward Kade Carey caused havoc in Spotswood’s back line throughout the first half, but when he was helped off the ground with what appeared to be a serious knee injury in the shadows of half-time, all momentum and confidence was with the Woodsmen.
Carey returned to the game in third quarter with his right knee heavily taped but his side looked rattled regardless.
Numerous 50-metre penalties and downfield free kicks gifted Spotswood crucial goals during the third quarter, essentially putting the result beyond doubt before three-quarter time.
Already up by 26 points at the final change, Spotswood then piled on six final quarter goals, ultimately blowing the final margin out to eight goals.
After the game O’Keefe said his side’s slow start did not bother him.
“I was very, very pleased at quarter time,” he said.
“That wind was howling down that end and I thought it was at least a four or five goal breeze and to be within six or seven points, I was very happy with where we were at that time.
“Our attack on the footy and everything was fantastic, and all our measurements were up through the roof, so it put us in good stead.”
Along with Cloke’s performance, O’Keefe also praised his midfield’s efforts.
“Tom Langlands, Jai Audley, Torin Baker, they were all super,” O’Keefe said.
“They all really stood up, especially when I asked them to at different stages throughout the game.”
Langlands, Audley and Baker were named the best three players on the ground.
