Altona’s Jordan Robbins wasn’t short of a celebration after his side’s impressive win over Spotswood in the WRFL. 84459_05 Picture: MATHEW LYN.
By ADEM SARICAOGLU
ALTONA is sitting pretty on top of the WRFL’s division one ladder after knocking off Spotswood at Grant Reserve on Saturday.
The Vikings looked impressive in what was a fierce and entertaining contest between two quality teams, eventually kicking clear in the second half to run out 28-point winners.
Numerous spot fires throughout the day seemed to have Spotswood rattled, however a lack of discipline cost both teams at different stages.
The Woods never looked settled, leaving Altona to storm home in front of packed and parochial home crowd.
Both sides traded blows throughout the first half, keeping the scoreboard close, but it was the Vikings who managed to go into the main break ahead, albeit by just four points.
Spotswood quickly got themselves in front after halftime with goals to Ben Pope and Dylan Callard, who kicked five for the afternoon.
However Altona picked up the tempo, piling on five unanswered goals in a stunning burst that put them 22 points up at three-quarter time.
Despite struggling to penetrate for most of the day, Spotswood had its opportunities to get back into the game early in the final term, but it was Altona through Jordan Robbins who struck first.
Jason Cloke was awarded a 50-metre penalty that brought him within scoring range, but when his attempt at goal sprayed horribly, Spotswood was nearly shot.
Tom Langlands did manage to convert minutes later, but Altona held their nerve, and with the help of a few 50-metre penalties, sealed the game in the last five minutes.
Altona coach Anthony Eames said Spotswood gave his side a genuine contest.
“It was the challenge we knew it would be, and when you’re playing against a side that’s renowned for its strong work ethic, and particularly gifted in a number of areas, you know you’re in for a tough battle,” Eames said.
“Coming off a rebound loss to Port the week prior would’ve stung them into action, and I thought the contest right across the ground was exactly that.”
Despite the win Eames said there is still plenty of room for improvement.
“Our use of the ball in the first half was pretty ordinary going forward, and we addressed that at halftime and made a couple of rotational moves that certainly helped.
“I didn’t really think the performance today was anywhere near brilliant as far as our movement and that sort of stuff is concerned, because great sides like Spotswood can restrict you particularly well.
“But I was really happy with our response from the five or 10-minute mark of the third quarter where they kicked the first couple early.
“Our response from then on was really good, and a sign of a side that certainly wants to make a difference.”
Spotswood coach Chris O’Keefe said his side’s inconsistency cost them the longer the game went on.
“We had to really make sure we played the full four quarters, and we probably didn’t do that again today,” O’Keefe said. “We dropped off in patches during the game.”
The Woods struggled up forward with just four players kicking goals, but O’Keefe still has confidence in the potency of his forward line.
“I know we’ve got the firepower down there and again it’s just a matter of taking the opportunities when they come through,” he said. “I’m not too worried about that.”
