Tara Murray
The Footscray and Altona rivalry had an even greater meaning in the Hockey Victoria premier league on Saturday.
The two western suburbs teams in the premier division, the clubs got together in the off season and decided to put something on the line every time they play.
The two clubs will play for the Western Trophy, which is decided by the results of the premier men’s and women’s matches, along with the premier reserves men’s and women’s matches.
The trophy added to the first round match up between the two sides as the season got underway on Saturday.
The final points were equal at six points each at day’s end after two wins and two losses each.
The decider went down to goal difference which resulted in Altona took out the trophy by a goal difference of two.
Altona won the men’s premier league match 4-0, while Footscray won the women’s premier league match, 2-1.
Footscray president Nicole Virtuoso said they were quite excited by the trophy which had come out of a conversation between her and Altona president Brian Fanning.
“We are two premier league clubs,” she said. “There’s been a good friendly rivalry over a number of years.
“The trophy will be decided by the results of the four premier matches across the day. The trophy will be silver and will also have some royal blue, which both clubs have on their uniforms.
Virtuoso said there was normally a big crowd when the two teams faced each other and they were hoping to see more of that this year.
Altona president Brian Fanning said while the two clubs are opposition sides, they both share a lot in common.
“In terms of geography, they are our closest premier league side,” he said.
“It’s always a big home game for both clubs so we thought we would formalise it with a trophy.
“The trophy is reflective of the whole premier league program and the club as a whole.”
Fanning said there were a number of people that had gone between the two clubs over the years.
“We’ve had a bit to do with each other,” he said. “Both are in the same zone for junior development.
“We generally sit and talk through things. We’re in the same business and it benefits Hobsons Bay and Maribyrnong have really strong clubs.”
In round two, Footscray plays Waverley, while Altona faces Greensborough.
Tara Murray
