Tara Murray
A united Altona has shown that Caroline Springs is beatable in the Western Region Football League division 1.
In the top of the table clash between the Vikings and the Lakers, the Vikings were able to come from 18 points down at half time to come away with an 11.13 (79)-8.8 (56) win.
Vikings coach Corey McCall said while the Lakers remain the team to beat in the competition, the result was massive for his club.
“We went in a little bit undermanned and undersized,” he said. “We asked players to play a role for us and for the club.
“It was a united approach and the guys executed the game plan.”
McCall said the focus early was to stick with the Lakers to put the pressure onto them. They were able to do just that.
“We wanted to be in touching distance and in the game at half time,” he said. “We gained momentum in the second half and hit the front in the third quarter.
“We wanted to put the opposition team into positions they have not been in.
“It was a different scenario for them, they hadn’t been behind at three quarter time all year.
“The saying is when you’re undefeated you’re closer to your next loss than your next win.”
Benjamin Tipper and Elliot Cavallaro kicked two goals for the Vikings.
Ruckman Matthew Trzeciak in his first senior game for the season was outstanding, while Josh Bench was good in the midfield.
McCall said Cavallaro played an unselfish game, with a couple of other key forwards out
But the coach said it was the whole team’s contribution that was the most important thing.
“It was a really great team effort,” he said.
“Every player had a moment or moments. You don’t have to be the best player on the ground.
“It was a full 22 effort.”
The Vikings now sit one game behind the Lakers in second spot. McCall said the Lakers were still the benchmark.
Importantly, with other results the Vikings are now two games clear of third and fourth.
McCall said getting wins on the board at this time of year was really important.
“You want to win as many games as you can during June and July when it gets a bit colder and the grounds aren’t as good,” he said.
“Come early August it starts to smell like finals. It’s the time to grind through wins.”
The Vikings this week face bottom side Sunshine.
They then have a bye. McCall said they would get through this week and then reassess where they are.
“We’ll look to get a few blokes back to 100 per cent,” he said.
“With the gap [on third] we can play the long game a little bit. Some guys are 85 to 90 per cent, we’ll give them another two weeks off.
“Mitch Norton, Mitchell Van Den Berg and some of the tall stocks. Hopefully get everyone back for finals.”
In other results, Spotswood is now only percentage outside the top five after beating Werribee Districts. Yarraville Seddon got an important win against Point Cook, while Deer Park beat Hoppers Crossing and St Albans smashed Sunshine.
More WRFL news:
The Suns inflict Albanvale’s first loss: ow.ly/jlOR30snMIq
