Spotswood claimed an emotional 13-point win over Werribee Districts at Soldiers Reserve on Saturday after one of the saddest weeks in the club’s history.
The Woodsmen were in mourning following the shock death last week of Ben Kelly, the coach of the Woodsmen’s 2008 and 2009 premierships.
Kelly was a well respected figure at whichever clubs he played or coached, and similar scenes of mourning and solidarity were in evidence at the weekend at Williamstown, Williamstown CYMS, Williamstown Juniors and across the wider west.
Spotswood’s players summoned whatever energy they had in reserve after a draining week to produce a memorable win in the Western Region Football League division 1.
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The Woodsmen made a flying start to lead by 38 points at half-time before Werribee Districts fought back with a six-goal third-quarter burst to have scores deadlocked at three-quarter time.
But the Woodsmen were not going to let this one slip and finished the game strongly with a four-goals-to-two final term.
Murray Boyd continued his stellar year for the Woodsmen with three goals in a best-on-ground display.
The Woodsmen, written off a month ago, are up to fourth on the ladder after three gutsy wins in a row.
Altona moved up to third with a cruisey 50-point win over Albion at JR Parsons Reserve. After going into quarter-time all square, the Vikings kicked 10 of the last 12 goals for a comfortable victory.
Meanwhile, nine of the WRFL’s elite players have been selected in Vic Metro’s 47-man squad ahead of a representative clash with Vic Country next month.
The WRFL’s strong representation comes on the back of a three-point inter-league triumph over the Ballarat Football League at Whitten Oval last month.
Matt Dean, the Werribee Districts’ captain, was rewarded with Big V selection after claiming best-on-ground honours in the inter-league game.
WRFL captain Boyd starred against the BFL to warrant his selection.
Others who impressed the Vic Metro selectors were Deer Park duo Jase Perkins and Tim Quick, Albion midfielder Josh Bench, St Albans stalwart Tim Jenkins, Sunshine goal sneak Daniel Castellano, Hoppers Crossing defender Braden Ferrari and Wyndhamvale onballer Brian Graham.
The Vic Metro players will train together for a month before the selectors cut the squad to 23.
