By LIAM TWOMEY
ALTONA recovered from a slow start to overrun Hoppers Crossing by 10 points on Saturday. Despite occupying a lower ladder position, it was the Warriors which made the better start to the contest, booting 6.7 in the first quarter to open up a 24-point lead at quarter time.
Hoppers Crossing maintained its control over the match during the next two quarters, holding Altona to just five goals.
Still trailing by 20 points going into the final term, the Vikings were able to flick the switch and start to eat into the margin.
Kicking with the aid of a healthy breeze, Altona scored 4.6 and held Hoppers Crossing scoreless in the final term to seal the win.
Jayden Post, Mitchell Turnbull and James Stephens kicked two goals each for Altona while Steven Kennedy and Joel Magnabosco were the best around the ground.
For Hoppers Crossing, Terry Knight, and Aaron Williams kicked five goals between them.
The result sees Altona remain in third spot on the WRFL Division One ladder with a 12-3 win/loss record for the season.
The Vikings are equal on wins with Spotswood, but trail the Woodsmen by 63 percentage points.
The news isn’t as good for Hoppers Crossing with the Warriors in sixth place, one game outside the top five.
When round 16 gets underway this weekend, Altona will take on St Albans while Hoppers Crossing will meet Albion.
Elsewhere in Division One, Deer Park inflicted more pain on the winless North Footscray, defeating the Devils by 259 points.
In a battle between first and last on the ladder, the Lions were in cruise control throughout, booting eight goals in the opening quarter to break out to a 49-point lead.
If the Devils thought that was bad, the score line only got worse as an 11 goal-to-one second term saw the margin grow to over 100 points at the long break.
Deer Park continued the onslaught at the resumption of play, kicking 23 goals in the second half to seal the 42.19 (271) to 1.6 (12) win.
The Lions now turn their attention to a blockbuster clash against Spotswood this week.
