Harper Sercombe
Yarraville Seddon Eagles have taken a dramatic step towards a finals berth by knocking off third placed Point Cook in the Western Region Football League division 1 competition.
Inaccuracy hurt both teams early with the Eagles only managing one goal from their six scoring shots, while the Bulldogs missed all three of their chances.
The Bulldogs got into their grove in the second term, kicking four goals to give them the 10 point advantage at half time.
A comeback was on the cards for the Eagles, booting 10 goals in the second half to walk away with a 12.13 (85)- 9.8 (62) win.
Eagles coach Brad Julier said the game was a finals-like contest.
“We knew we had to win and the boys really dug deep and we got the win we needed to,” he said. “They’re all pressure games and must win for us now.
“So if we do happen to make it [into the finals], we’ll be in good form and have the experience of a couple of mini finals in the lead up.”
Julier said his team were able to handle the wet conditions after half time a bit better than the Bulldogs which gave them an edge.
“We were down 10 points and looked a little flat… we were a little bit cleaner in the wet weather and were able to kick five goals in the third which set us up for the last quarter,” he said.
For the Eagles, Jonah Sardi and Lachlan Green both booted three while Mitchell Blake kicked two.
“It’s been a real focus for us not to be relying on any one person,” Julier said.
“The last four or five weeks we’ve got a good spread, it makes us a little bit more unpredictable if we’ve got seven or eight guys that can all kick goals on their day.”
The Eagles now sit in fourth with equal wins as Caroline Springs and Spotswood who sit in fifth and sixth respectively.
The Eagles sit two per cent clear of the Lakers and 20 per cent clear of the Woodsmen.
With a huge clash against the Woodsman on the weekend, this game may secure the last finals spot.
“Another must win game for us,” Julier said of the Spotswood game.
“It’s going to be a tough last two games, all we can do is keep winning.”
The Eagles will face Werribee Districts in the last round before a potential first finals series since returning to the top flight, after winning the division 2 premiership in 2019.
The Woodsmen’s finals hopes took a hit with a loss to long time rival Altona.
The Vikings had a poor day in front of goal, but it meant little as it came away with a 9.17 (71)-6.4 (40) win.
Nathan Clarke was named best on ground for the Vikings, while David Iaccarino was the Woodsmen’s best.
The Vikings move back up to second with the Bulldogs losing.
