ALTONA was merciless defensively in a 74-point win over Sunshine Kangaroos in the Western Region Football League division 1.
The Vikings slammed the door shut on the visitors, allowing just 10 scoring shots in the game.
In a hard-fought contest, the Kangaroos won their fair share of the ball but their frustrations mounted with every forward-50 entry that failed to penetrate the defensive wall of Joey Halloran, Joel Magnabosco, Johnathon Hevern and David Barnaby.
Vikings captain Josh Russo was full of praise for his teammates.
“They’re just blokes you love having on your team,” Russo said.
“They probably don’t get pumped up as much as the midfield boys, but they work harder than anyone in the team.”
This was billed as one of the matches of the day.
The opening three quarters lived up to the hype with the final score not being a true reflection of the hard work the Vikings had to do to set up the win.
“It was definitely a tough challenge. They hit us pretty hard,” Russo said.
“It was just a good tussle and we just kept chipping away, extending our lead.
“In all honesty, it was more so the last quarter where we blew the game open.”
The Vikings restricted the Kangaroos’ key players to manageable numbers.
Aaron Freeland shared the honours with former AFL star Mitch Hahn, and Halloran kept key Kangaroos forward Patrick Wiggins to one goal.
Magnabosco was one of the Vikings’ best, damaging on the rebound.
“He’s one of our leaders. He’s directional and uses the ball well,” Russo said.
“He really set up well and delivered, as good half-backs do.”
When the dam wall broke, the goals began to flood in for the Vikings.
Russo said the delivery into the forward 50 was as good as his side had shown all season.
That was reflective on the scoreboard with prime targets Jayden Post (five goals), Mitch Turnbull (three) and Richard Knight (two) feasting on the silver service.
Munir El Houli (three), a promising teenager, and Josh Rafferty (two) chimed in with multiples.
“It’s probably one of the few times this year that we’ve really rewarded their leads,” Russo said.
“‘Posty’, Mitch Turnbull and Richard Knight, they all got their hands on the footy.”
The Vikings will square off with Spotswood at McLean Reserve on Saturday in what promises to be a fascinating grand final re-match.
The Woodsmen are in good form, after a 50-point win over Port Melbourne Colts.
Their past two meetings have resulted in one- and three-point wins for the Vikings. Expect another close encounter on Saturday.
