By Lance Jenkinson
Spotswood was given an intense pre-finals workout by St Albans in the Western Region Football League division 1.
The Woodsmen managed to get up by four points in a game that could have gone either way at Donald McLean Reserve on Saturday.
Woodsmen coach Anthony Eames was full of praise for both teams who did not give an inch in a game that was played in extremely varying weather conditions from sun to hail.
“It was a hard-fought game,” Eames said. “They had a fair old crack at us today.
“It would’ve been a good one to view for supporters either way.”
Spotswood was forced to dig deep in the second half to record its third straight win.
The Woodsmen stared a two-goal deficit in the face during the third quarter, but they found a way to get their nose in front by three-quarter time.
A fourth quarter goal for Jordan Boyd was all the Woodsmen needed to hold on for victory.
“We were under the pump a few times,” Eames said.
“The second half, in particular, the conditions closed in a bit and it made it a hard old slog.
“We showed a bit of character, there’s no doubt about that.”
Harley Walshe continued his good form for Spotswood at centre half-back.
Walshe was one of the most effective players aerially on the ground.
“He’s reading the game well and competing particularly well in the air,” Eames said.
“His use of the footy is pretty solid too.
“He played on a good player in [St Albans forward Lachlan] Baddeley, so that was a good test for Harley.”
Woodsmen big man Murray Boyd had an enthralling battle with David Kovacevic.
The honours were even in a key battle, though Boyd bobbed up for two important goals.
David Iaccarino was influential in the midfield for Spotswood, while Ciaran Lynch and Josh Drage were the other standouts.
It was a big day for Spotswood with 1958, 1968 and 2008 premiership reunions capping off a memorable game.
“It was a great vibe in the clubrooms,” Eames said. “They’ve got a few [premierships] at Spotswood, so most home games are some sort of reunion.”
The finals-bound Spotswood will face Caroline Springs in a danger game at Town Centre Oval on Saturday.
Meanwhile, second-placed Altona moved closer to a double chance with a 13-point win over Werribee Districts at J.K. Grant Reserve.
The Vikings led by a massive 37 points at three-quarter time on the back of goal hauls from Patrick Rose (four) and Travis Lunardi (three), but Werribee Districts made it a nervous last quarter by banging on five goals to one.
