By ASH BOLT - Under-19 Division 1
ALTONA have kept their finals chance alive with a thrilling three point win over Hoppers Crossing at Grant Reserve.
The Vikings needed a win to stay in the hunt but they got off to a slow start as Hoppers Crossing led by 17-points at quarter-time.
Altona worked their way back into the game with a four goal to one second quarter to take a three-point lead into the main break and they were able to push the margin out to seven-points at three-quarter-time.
With the game coming down to the wire, both defences were solid and it took about 10 minutes into the quarter for Hoppers’ Noah Walker to kick a goal and level the scores.
From then on, neither team could kick a goal, but Altona’s three behinds were enough to win the game.
Matthew Wright was Altona’s best while Jake Meiers kicked three for the Vikings. Lachlan Windram and Nick Poland were the standouts for the Warriors.
Yarraville Seddon were not able to confirm their spot in the finals, falling to Deer Park by 15-points at Yarraville Oval.
A win would have sealed fourth place for the Eagles and they looked to be on the right track with a commanding seven goal first term to lead by 37-points at quarter-time.
However Deer Park fought back after the shocking first term and kept the Eagles to just four more goals for the game as they sealed a 15-point win.
Jye King was dominant up forward for the Lions, finishing with three goals while Nicholas Tsaloukis and Blake Green were Yarraville Seddon’s best.
Werribee Districts kept themselves within touching distance of top spot with a 42-point win over bottom-placed Spotswood at McLean Reserve.
Spotswood looked to give Werribee Districts a challenge early and led by five points at quarter-time, but back to back five goal quarters for the Tigers after the first break put the game out of reach.
Mickey Nicholls was the star for Spotswood with four goals while Elliot Rosado kicked two.
This week sees Werribee Districts and Deer Park play off for top spot in the final round of the season at Avalon Airport Oval. Only percentage separates the teams on the ladder and the last time they met, the match finished in a draw.
The other game of the round sees Altona trying to clinch the final spot in the top four. A win against Spotswood at Burbank Oval will see Altona take the last finals spot, but a loss or a draw means Yarraville Seddon will finish fourth instead.
Yarraville Seddon and Hoppers Crossing both have a bye.
Last Modified on 15/08/2016 16:13