By Mark Murray
ST ALBANS proved it was a definite finals contender with a surprise 25-point triumph over reigning premier Port Melbourne Colts on Saturday.
In one of the most anticipated matches of the Western Region Football League (WRFL) Division One season, St Albans moved into the top five with the impressive 16.10.106 to 12.9.81 win.
Most pundits had the Colts pencilled in to overrun the Saints in the round six fixture, but witnessed the complete opposite.
St Albans handed the Colts their second loss of the season by producing a relentless brand of hard-running, high-pressure footy.
The Saints are on a high at the moment and finished the match full of running to win comfortably and move into the top five with a 4-2 win-loss ratio, the same as the Colts.
Michael Spooner was a constant threat in attack for St Albans finishing with four goals, while the talented Sebastian Arena and David Scott were influential in the confidence-boosting result.
Spotswood stamped itself as the real deal this season with a thrilling two-point win over Hoppers Crossing on Saturday.
The Woodsmen remain undefeated after six rounds on top of the WRFL Division One table, but many saw this match as the acid test against last year’s grand finalist.
Spotswood responded in eye-catching fashion and set up the impressive win with a blistering opening term.
The Woodsmen slammed on 5.2 to 1.4 in the first quarter with the midfield dominating the centre clearances and the backline continually turning defence into attack.
The Warriors were always going to fight back, and cut the deficit to 13 points at half-time.
Tyren Montebruno, Matthew Dwyer and Jason Butty all lifted their work rate in the crucial third term for Hoppers Crossing and the result was a swift shift in momentum.
The Warriors piled on seven third-quarter goals to four to head into the final term six points ahead.
Spotswood then showed it was made of the right stuff by taking up the challenge laid by the 2006 runner-up.
Richard Wilson, Mark Keenan and Matt Fogarty went up a gear when the game was there to be won, and in a thrilling finish Spotswood snatched back the lead and hung on to win by two points, 16.16.112 to 16.14. 110.
Keenan finished with four goals while for Hoppers Crossing Montebruno also booted four.
Meanwhile, Sunshine jumped out of the blocks in its convincing 55-point win over Albion.
Sunshine had a staggering 16 scoring shots in the opening term, going into the quarter-time break with a 7.9 to 4.1 lead.
Shannon Carroll booted seven goals for the winners.
Glen Orden had a hard-fought 11-point victory over Parkside while Yarraville-Seddon had a thrilling three-point triumph over Altona.
