Tara Murray
Yarraville Seddon finally claimed the scalp it had been aiming for in the Western Region Football League division 1 competition.
The Eagles have been slowly building and were aiming for three wins on the trot, when they took on third placed Hoppers Crossing.
In a game partly dictated by the wind, it was the Eagles that were able to hold on against the Warriors, winning, 13.11 (89)-10.14 (74).
Eagles coach Brad Julier said this win would give the confidence to the group they needed to feel like they belong at this level.
“It’s a terrific moment,” he said. “We’ve been close a couple of times to getting a scalp of a top three side.
“Hoppers Crossing is a powerhouse. To knock them off, takes the imposing figure of beating a higher side, out of the equation.
“It’s some reward for a young side and it gives them belief they belong in the top division.”
Julier said the difference on Saturday had been the side playing four quarters of consistent football.
He said so much of this season, they had played well for a quarter or two, but hadn’t been able to put it all together.
On Saturday, the Warriors had the wind in the first quarter, but the Eagles were still able to score three first quarter goals.
Julier said that allowed them to set up the match. They would kick six goals to nil in the second quarter with the breeze to open up a 27 point half time lead.
It would be one point at the final change.
“We knew we had the breeze, but we couldn’t just rely on that,” he said.
“We worked hard and they threw everything at us in the last quarter but we were able to hold on.”
Blake Green kicked three goals in the win, while Oscar Gordon kicked three and played a really important role for them as did Joshua Crofton.
The win was the Eagles fourth for the season. They sit in eighth spot. With four rounds remaining, they sit two games clear of bottom side Sunshine and relegation.
With Julier recently re-signing for another two seasons, things are looking good for the future.
“The noose is off us now,” he said.
“We’ve won three in a row and we want to build some momentum and get planning for next season.”
The Eagles face Deer Park this week as they face sides in the top five to finish the season.
Julier said they were keen for a couple more scalps in the run home.
In other matches, Altona had no issues against Sunshine, winning 19.16 (130)-4.1 (25).
The Vikings led 59-0 at quarter time, with the Kangaroos kept goal less in three of the four quarters.
Spotswood couldn’t match it with ladder leaders Caroline Springs, losing 14.22 (106)-9.6 (60).
Point Cook and Werribee Districts were the other winners in division 1.
In division 2, Newport won a thriller against Glen Orden, while North Footscray and Parkside lost thrillers to Albion and Point Cook Centrals respectively.
Wyndhamvale beat West Footscray in the other match.
