Tara Murray
Newport set the standard for how it wants to play in the first half of its win against Albion in the Western Region Football League division 2 on Saturday.
Newport produced a strong first half to open up a 29-point lead at half time against a strong Cats unit.
The Cats got back into the game in the third quarter, turning the deficit into an 11-point lead.
There was another twist in the tale, with Newport kicking five last quarter goals to seal the 15.14 (104)-12.21 (93) win.
Newport assistant coach Josh Russo said it was a good hard fought win.
“It was a game of two halves,” he said.
“We had a really strong first half, before Albion got a kick in the third quarter.
“We rallied in the last quarter and changed a few things. We’re pretty happy but we shouldn’t have allowed that to happen as coaches and players.”
Russo said after not getting the results they were after in recent weeks, that it could have been easy to fall into the trap of thinking they would lose again.
He said they hoped this would provide confidence and allow them to build throughout the season.
“We didn’t drop our heads and we dug deep and found something,” he said. “After the last few results they could have been thinking about another loss, but they didn’t.
“It will provide confidence. It showed the way we can play. Overall we hadn’t been playing poor, but not just getting the results.
“The first half is the standard and the platform we need to use going forward.
Omar Abou-Zeid and Abdul Jawad kicked three goals each in the win.
Those two along with Mustafa Mesto were among the best.
The win was Newport’s second of the season, with the side now sitting in sixth spot.
This week they face Glen Orden, which has the same record after six rounds.
“The results have not shown how good they are,” Russo said.
“We will not be complacent and it will not be easy. We have to go there with a focused mindset.”
In other results, North Footscray beat Wyndhamvale.
After trailing at quarter time, the Devils built throughout to get the 12.19 (91)-10.6 (66) win.
David Allitt kicked three goals in the win.
Parkside continued its good form, beating Glen Orden 26.13 (169)-5.6 (36).
The Magpies kept the Hawks goal less in the first half, while piling on the scoreboard pressure themselves.
Jackson Lesko and Shaun Campbell kicked five goals each for the Magpies.
Point Cook Centrals were too strong for West Footscray, winning 37.15 (237)-6.7 (43).
In division 1, Altona and Spotswood both had big wins.
The Vikings beat Point Cook, 22.15 (147)-4.7 (31).
Elliot Cavallaro kicked five goals for the Vikings.
Spotswood was too strong for Sunshine, winning 22.24 (156)-11.5 (71).
Mitchell Coleman kicked six goals in a best on ground performance for the Woodsmen.
Yarraville Seddon lost to Deer Park, 14.17 (101)-11.8 (74).
