Tara Murray
Spotswood put the pressure back on each other to step up and it paid on Saturday in the Western Region Football League division 1.
The Woodsmen find themselves outside the top five at the halfway of the season and yet to beat a side sitting above.
While they’ve had their fair share of injury and illness which has had an impact, they’re yet to have the consistency coach Anthony Eames would have liked.
But there were some positive signs on Saturday against Yarraville Seddon on Saturday. The Woodsmen started well with nine scoring shots to two in the first quarter.
They were able to extend the margin in every quarter on the way to a 15.13 (103)-5.8 (38) win.
Eames said while the win was nice, the way they did was even better.
“The pressure was on with where we are at with ladder position,” he said. “We’ve been able to square up the ledger.
“It was interesting as the guys had put a lot of pressure on each other to perform and a lot of players responded.
“It was even across the board with 22 contributors. An even contribution is all we can ask for every week.”
Mitchell Coleman and James Cleaver kicked three goals each in the win.
Toby Kopa, Zach Del Grosso and David Iaccarino were named the Woodsmen’s best.
The Woodsmen remain in sixth spot, but are now just a game outside the top five with Deer Park losing.
Eames said it had been a frustrating first half of the season. He was hoping they would only get better as they built together.
“With illness and injury our depth got tested,” he said. “The boys have been training hard.
“When we put our best foot forward we are always a chance. Whether we win or not, that’s the question.
“The top sides have been really good, we had to play our best against them. If we can improve our consistency in performance and keep our best side on the park, we will hopefully have a positive second half of the season.”
The Woodsmen this week face St Albans. Eames said they always had a tough match against the Saints.
In other results, Altona had a big win against St Albans. The Vikings controlled the game from start to finish, winning 18.17 (125)-7.3 (45).
Elliot Cavallaro kicked five goals in the win.
Caroline Springs remains undefeated after beating Deer Park, 15.17 (107)-9.13 (67), while Hoppers Crossing beat Sunshine, 19.17 (131)-2.9 (21) and Werribee Districts was too good for Point Cook, winning 26.16 (172)-6.5 (41).
In division 2, Point Cook Centrals, Glen Orden, Newport and North Footscray were the winners, while in division 3, Albanvale, Tarneit and Sunshine Heights had big wins.
