By LIAM TWOMEY
ALTONA successfully navigated its way past another challenger in the Western Region Football League on Saturday when the Vikings accounted for Hoppers Crossing by 56 points.
The reigning premier made the perfect start to the match, kicking 5.5 in the first quarter to open up a 26-point lead.
From there, the margin only increased as an even performance during the next three quarters saw the Vikings coast to the 19.15 (129) to 12.11 (83) win.
Saturday’s result sees Altona remain in fourth spot on a congested top end of the WRFL ladder.
The Vikings share a 5-1 win/loss record for the season with Spotswood and Sunshine which occupy second and third places respectively.
Deer Park is on top and remains undefeated after six rounds.
The Warriors are one place behind the Vikings in fifth spot after a 3-3 start to the season.
When round seven kicks off this weekend, Altona will take on sixth placed St Albans and Hoppers Crossing will look to return to the winners list against the struggling Albion.
In other WRFL division one results, Spotswood handed Yarraville a 148-point thrashing.
The Woodsmen were quick out of the blocks during a five goal to one first quarter which saw the margin jump to 27 points at the opening break.
From there, the news only got worse for Yarraville and the Eagles struggled to break through on the scoreboard all afternoon.
Yarraville kicked just one goal in the first half and three for the match.
At the other end of the ground, Spotswood had no such trouble with 20 goals coming in the final three quarters.
The 25.21 (171) to 3.5 (23) win is the second time in two weeks Spotswood has managed to post a victory over 150 points after thrashing North Footscray by 325 in round five.
Jason Cloke was at his dominant best on the Woodsmen’s forward line, booting five goals while coach Chris O’Keefe also chipped in with four goals.
Around the ground, Elliott Wood and Luke Ryan were named the best players for the winners.
For Yarraville, Adam Baker, Scott Krakouer and Nick Avery were the only goal scorers.
This week will see Spotswood take on Deer Park and Yarraville will meet Sunshine.
