Spotswood’s Mick Lewis marks despite Chris Senserrick’s acrobatic spoiling attempt. 67505
By Michael Esposito
SPOTSWOOD relinquished top spot after being upset by a fierce St Albans outfit at McLeans Reserve Oval on Saturday.
St Albans defeated Spotswood 17.12 (114) to 12.17 (89) in a match that rewarded toughness.
Spotswood coach Chris O’Keefe said his side failed to match the Saints’ willingness and physicality and let the visitors dictate terms. “It was probably one of the worst losses I’ve been involved with at Spotswood,” he said. “There was probably one or two guys who could really put their hand up for the whole day and say they had a really good hard go, and the rest were passengers.
“We allowed them to play the game on their terms and we just can’t do that and expect that you’re still going to win games.
“For the first quarter and a half we were pretty good, especially with our pressure and tackling, and then we dropped away in the second half of the second quarter and they got on top. We had opportunities in the second half but we couldn’t kick goals and we couldn’t convert those opportunities. Their key forwards were marking everything and converting their goals.”
O’Keefe said a repeat performance would not be tolerated.
“The hardest thing is to keep winning games, and when you do that complacency can creep in at times. One of my main jobs throughout the year and especially from now on in is to make sure that complacency doesn’t return in any way shape or form.”
Jason Cloke, who kicked three goals, and Jai Audley, were shining lights for Spotswood in an otherwise flat performance.
“Audley is a tireless worker. He gives 100 per cent every week. You can’t question his intensity or willingness to put his body on the line,” O’Keefe said.
The Saints are within a game of second-placed Spotswood and two games ahead of fourth-placed Altona.
IN other results, Albion overcame a competitive Altona outfit to win 14.14 (98) to 8.16 (64) and move to top spot.
Only two points separated the sides at the main break, but Albion ran the game out better, kicking nine goals to three in the second half.
Sam Stephens, Todd Finco and Shaydon Bloomfield kicked three goals for the Cats, while Ziggy Kadour and Josh Rafferty kicked two each for the Vikings.
Albion captain Aaron Tymms was the Cats’ best player, while Finco continued to excite and Glenn Manton was rock-solid in defence.
Steven Kennedy and Anthony Chiu were stand-outs for Altona, while Travis Lunardi, coming back to Altona while his VFL side Werribee had the bye, also played well.
Port Melbourne defeated a gallant North Footscray 18.12 (120) to 15.14 (104) to keep in touch with the top five.
The Colts opened up a four-goal lead at quarter time and looked like running away with the game, but the Devils would not go away, and were only four points down at three quarter time.
Star big man Brad Julier was Port Melbourne’s best player, while Patrick Jackon was best for North Footscray.
Hoppers Crossing, which sits two points above Port Melbourne in fifth spot, was far too strong for Sunshine Heights. The final score was 21.15 (141) to 5.5 (35). Ben Fletcher kicked seven goals.
Sunshine recorded a 186-point win against Glen Orden. Sunshine captain Macauley Goring kicked seven goals.
