Altona’s inability to convert in front of goal during a wasteful third quarter proved its downfall in a 17-point loss to Werribee Districts on Saturday.
The Vikings matched it with last year’s runner-up in the WRFL division 1 opening round at Grant Reserve on Saturday but could not stem the tide against the highly fancied visitors in a five-goal-to-zip third term.
Vikings midfielder Josh Russo said Altona came up short despite battling all the way.
“They took their chances and we didn’t,” he said.
Altona will have two weeks to stew over the result, having the bye in the second round.
But the Vikings will also get a chance to discuss the positives to come out of the game.
“If you just look it as a negative that you lost, it’s going to be a long season,” Russo said.
“If you can build on what was working and what was good about the game, you only hope to improve in the coming weeks.”
It was Saade Ghazi’s first game in charge as senior Vikings coach.
Ghazi, a JJ Liston Trophy winner at Williamstown in the VFL, replaced Russo, who was the club’s player-coach last year.
The benefits of having a sideline coach were clear for Russo, who enjoyed the chance to wind back his own responsibilities and simply focus on playing.
“It’s good to have fresh views and someone going about it a different way,” Russo said.
“I felt rotations were crisp [and] there was a bit more feedback coming from the runner, which is a directive of the coach.
“It allows players to play and coaches to coach, and for me it’s a good opportunity to focus on footy again.
“You’re around a bunch of mates that will go to war for you, so it was good to be amongst it as a player and allowing someone else the stresses of being the coach on game day.”
Playing assistant coach Jayden Post snared three goals for the Vikings.
Post copped a big knock early but battled back to be one of most influential players.
Jordan Robbins and Lee Spiteri made bright starts to the new season, feeding off some tidy ruck work from Josh Rafferty.
Tim Andrews was rock solid down back.
Meanwhile, Spotswood will face St Albans on the road at Kings Park Reserve in a tough season opener on Saturday.
The Woodsmen drew the short straw with a bye in round one.
In division 2, Yarraville-Seddon cruised to a 186-point win over West Footscray with Dean McDonald and Lachie Longmire booting five goals each.
North Footscray dominated after half-time to beat Glen Orden by 66 points.
In division 3, Newport Power played its first game of senior football, going down to Tarneit in a thriller by 11 points.
Laverton came up short by 22 points against Sanctuary Lakes and Parkside demolished Braybrook by 121 points.
