Three rounds ago, Altona boasted an immaculate 6-0 record and shared a two-game break over the rest of the Western Region Football League division 1 field with Werribee Districts.
But now the Vikings are in a mini-slump.
They’ve lost two of their past three matches and have fallen to third on the ladder.
A similar tale is unfolding at Werribee Districts, which has lost its past two.
As those two sides encountered their first rough patches, the other contenders caught up.
Deer Park and Spotswood pounced to take hold of first and second spots respectively on percentage.
It is not panic stations yet for Altona, which has the same 7-2 record as Deer Park, Spotswood and Werribee Districts.
Altona has a chance to re-claim a top two spot in a blockbuster clash with Deer Park at Grant Reserve on Saturday.
The Vikings can strike a psychological blow on Deer Park if they can beat it for a second time this season.
But if the Vikings don’t turn up, a third loss in four could see them lose touch with the top two.
Altona will be crying out for more avenues to goal after managing just seven majors in an 11-point loss to Hoppers Crossing at Hogans Road Reserve on Saturday.
One thing is certain – Patrick Rose will be dangerous in attack for the Vikings, having kicked 45 goals in nine matches.
He still managed four goals in a starring role for his side against Hoppers, but there were only three other Vikings goalkickers on the day.
While Altona has fallen a couple of rungs, Spotswood has risen in the rankings on the back of a five-game win streak. The Woodsmen flashed their premiership contention credentials with a runaway 46-point win over Werribee Districts at Soldiers Reserve.
Trailing by six points at half-time, the Woodsmen piled on 13 goals to five in a second-half blitz inspired by best-on-ground Joel McInerney and three goals from Jordan Boyd.
The Woodsmen will have a chance to consolidate their spot in the top two when they face bottom-of-the-ladder Wyndhamvale at Wyndham Vale South Oval on Saturday.
In division 2, West Footscray had a 99-point win over Albanvale, Simon Kelland leading the way in attack with six goals and Leroy Hollingsworth booting five. North Footscray was dangerous on the rebound with a 33-point win over Manor Lakes, while Yarraville-Seddon had a 79-point win over Parkside.
