By LIAM TWOMEY
GLEN ORDEN has firmed as the Western Region Football League division two premiership favourite after an impressive 36-point win over Wyndhamvale. The Hawks were expected to have former Geelong AFL star Kent Kingsley for his first hit out with the club this season, however, he was a late withdrawal because of injury. Wyndhamvale made the better start to the contest, opening up an 11-point lead at the first break.
From there, it was all Glen Orden, with the Hawks reeling in the deficit during a six-goal- to-one second quarter and then extending the lead at every change.
Glen Orden coach Nick Diker was rapt to come away with the win.
“It was one of those games where it was like a big heavy weight title fight, and we were just seeing who could land the first blow and feeling each other out as coaches,” Diker said.
“Wyndhamvale, make no mistake, they were our bogie team, and I was heavily stressed going into yesterday’s game, put it that way.
“It was great to come away with the win, it was all played in the right spirit and it was a great game of footy.”
Despite missing Kingsley, Damien Yze took control on the Hawks forward line, booting seven goals in just his second game for the club.
“Damien was fantastic,” Diker said.
“Every time the ball came through the middle of the ground … he is just such a presence. He has been there and done that, and he knows what spaces to lead into. We know what spaces to leave open for him and he demands the footy.
“The number one thing about him is that he finishes off his good work and gets results for it. Whether he marks it on the boundary or 40 or 60 metres out, he just blocks everything out and kicks the goal.”
Other multiple goal scorers included Jesse Fortune and John Zangari in the 15.12 (102) to 9.12 (66) win.
For Wyndhamvale, Josh Van Der Munnik battled hard to be named the Falcons’ best player while Daniel Bunworth was also impressive.
Glen Orden will now turn its attention to last year’s runner up Parkside in another tough clash this week.
“The challenges keep coming for us, taking on Parkside who are really another contender,” Diker said.
“All the teams who think they are going to go somewhere we have got in the first few rounds.
“We will know where we are at after that.”
