Altona’s season of near misses has continued in the Western Region Football League division 1.
The Vikings could not sustain an impressive start against four-peat premiers Deer Park, going down by 18 points at JK Grant Reserve on Saturday.
In a similar tale to when the sides met in round one, Altona was in a strong position to win the game, but faded late.
In the season opener, the Vikings held a handy eight-point lead at three-quarter time, only to be overrun in the last term.
This time, the Vikings led by 16 points at half-time, which could have been more had it converted its chances in front of goal more efficiently.
Again, Deer Park would come home like an out-of-control freight train, claiming the four points.
The Lions kicked 11 goals to five in the second half to keep their spot on top of the ladder, leaving Altona to rue another game that got away.
Brett Shiels (four goals) and Jordan Robbins (two) were the most dangerous players on the day for the Vikings.
The Vikings have lost four games by single digits this season and another close loss has left them a game outside the top five in sixth.
Altona will feature in another gold class game when it travels to Hoppers Crossing on Saturday.
Spotswood produced a stunning last-term fightback to beat Sunshine Kangaroos by nine points at McLean Reserve.
The Woodsmen looked gone for all money at three-quarter time, trailing by a massive 23 points. In modern football, a four goal margin can be pegged back in no time, and the Woodsmen managed to do so with an exhilarating six-goal-to-one final term.
Spotswood is mere percentage off top spot, but that battle for first place will be up for grabs when the Woodsmen face ladder-leader Deer Park in a blockbuster at John McLeod Oval on Saturday.
In division 2, North Footscray showed no signs of weakness in a 94-point drubbing of Albanvale at Hansen Reserve.
The Devils piled on the pain in a 13-goal-to-one second half.
Tyren Montebruno kicked four goals for the Devils, taking his season tally to 28, while Sam Denby-Blake continued his stellar recent form with a best-on-ground display.
Yarraville-Seddon Eagles had it all its own way in a 109-point demolition of West Footscray at Shorten Reserve.
The Eagles were merciless from start to finish on a day when Matthew Taylor kicked seven goals and Jack Hargreaves added six.
It sets up a mouth-watering first-versus-second clash between Yarraville-Seddon and North Footscray on Saturday.
Newport Power’s tough season continued, losing to Manor Lakes by 69 points at Bryan Martyn Oval.
In division 3, Laverton Magpies fell agonisingly short of a second win, beaten by North Sunshine by three points at Laverton Park.
Parkside sunk to defeat for the first time this season, losing to second-placed Wyndham Suns by 41 points at Henry Turner Reserve.
Braybrook fell by 34 points to Tarneit at Pennell Reserve on Saturday. It was the Bombers sixth straight loss.
