Tara Murray
The midseason break has come at the perfect time for Altona in the Western Region Football League division 1.
The Vikings have had a really strong start to the season and turn at the halfway point, at 8-1, with only a loss to the undefeated Caroline Springs.
With a competition wide bye this weekend due to the Queen’s Birthday long weekend, Vikings coach Corey McCall said they would use the break as a chance to reload.
“It’s fantastic to turn the corner at the halfway mark at 8-1,” he said. “We had some injuries through this period, we lost some tall stock and it all happened in a couple of weeks.
“I’m so proud of the whole group at Altona.
“Players are coming up and playing their roles and winning games of football.”
McCall said the most pleasing thing had been how they could call on a number of different players to step up when they needed them to.
He said they were putting pressure on for spots, which was only good for the long term future of the club.
“We had a young side in against Deer Park two weeks ago at home,” he said.
“They’ve come in and played their parts. They’re not looking at the end goal, but coming in and doing the best they can for the club.
“They’re ready for when they are called on again or get another opportunity. They’re keeping those standards.”
Among those that have impressed include Jimmy Callaway, Colby Redpath and Nicholas Boicos.
On Saturday, the Vikings made it win number eight against Yarraville Seddon.
The Vikings set the tone in the first quarter, leading by 39 points having made the most of the wind.
They were able to maintain the lead, winning 19.10 (124)-12.10 (82).
McCall said the focus had been to just get the points.
“We had a really nice start on the scoreboard,” he said. “Yarraville had the advantage of the wind in the second quarter but we were able to maintain the margin.
“We lost two players after quarter time and we had only two players on the bench.
“It was about staying competitive and holding the margin to get the four points.”
Josh Bench, Jack Norman, Ethan Taylor and Sam Paton were among the standouts.
The Vikings face St Albans at St Albans after the break.
Mitchell Van Den Berg and Domonic Wili are among those who will return in the coming weeks in a bonus for the Vikings.
In other results, Spotswood fell short against Deer Park, losing 8.15 (63)-3.8 (26).
Caroline Springs remain undefeated after beating Hoppers Crossing, 17.5 (107)-8.11 (59).
Point Cook got a vital win against Sunshine, winning 11.10 (76)-9.9 (63), while Werribee Districts was too strong for St Albans, winning 6.6 (42).
In division 2, North Footscray, Parkside, Newport and Point Cook Centrals were the winners.
