Tara Murray
Josh Helliwell has become the unlikely hero for Yarraville Seddon in front of goal in the Western Football League division 1.
Helliwell kicked a goal on the siren in round 11 against Werribee Districts to give the Eagles a draw with the top side.
The defender was again with the ball in his hands on Saturday after the siren against Point Cook Centrals.
He was able to convert again to give his side a 9.14 (68)-10.7 (67) win.
Coach Brad Julier said they had confidence in Helliwell delivering in again.
‘We’ve had a few close ones the last couple of weeks,” he said. “Josh, who kicked it, kicked the one two weeks ago.
“He had a dress rehearsal. He was pretty happy about it. He normally plays in the backline, and has been able to sneak forward and kick a couple of important ones.”
The two goals are the only goals that Helliwell has kicked this season.
Julier said it was a match where both sides had periods of dominance.
“We were able to get on top in the second quarter, but they kicked a late one,” he said.
“We couldn’t get our hands on the ball in the third quarter and they kicked seven straight. We had work to do in the last quarter.
“We almost had enough time.”
Jesse Varsamakis kicked three goals for the Eagles, while Lachlan Green kicked two.
Julier said that Green had a really good game as did Klyde Milroy and Helliwell.
He was also impressed with the younger brigade.
“We were quite young on the weekend,” he said. “We had seven players who are still eligible for under-18s.
“The young guys stood up and we got a good contribution from everyone. We had a few guys away and a few VFL [Victorian Football League] guys who got opportunities.
“We wanted to give a few younger guys a go and the Western Jets had the bye as well.”
The win keeps the Eagles clear in third spot.
Julier said they had a good gap on the chasing teams, with not much between the whole competition.
There is a division 1 bye this weekend, giving the Eagles the week off.
They face Parkside and then have a bye the week after.
“We’ll try and gear up for finals,” he said. “Parkside has been pretty competitive and hard to beat at home.
“They are one of the sides fighting for the last couple of spots, we want to keep them at bay.”
In other matches, Spotswood beat Altona, 17.7 (109)-7.8 (50), while Parkside lost to Caroline Springs, 10.12 (72)-10.8 (68).
