Spotswood was outclassed by reigning premier Hoppers Crossing in Sunday’s Western Football League division 1 elimination final.
The Woodsmen were restricted to just a solitary major after quarter-time as they went down by 59 points at Werribee’s Avalon Airport Oval, 12.14 (86)-3.9 (27).
Spotswood started strongly, kicking two of the game’s opening three goals to lead by nine points at the 11-minute mark of the first quarter.
But it was all downhill from there as the Warriors proved a class above to advance to the second week of finals.
The Woodsmen won by 22 points when the teams met in round 16, but there was to be no repeat of that performance.
Captain David Iaccarino, Jack Charleston, James Cleaver and Spencer Meagher were named the best for the losing side.
Spotswood finished the home-and-away rounds in fifth spot with a 10-8 record, three games behind the fourth-ranked Warriors.
While the season ended in disappointment, the Woodsmen improved significantly after securing six wins in 2024.
Iaccarino, Cleaver and Charleston were among their leading performers this year, while Sam Cross booted 37 goals from 14 games.
Hoppers Crossing coach Jared Polec took a lot out of the win and hoping to take it forward into their match with Yarraville-Seddon this Sunday.
“I was very pleased (on Sunday). The guys battled hard and it all stemmed off that first quarter, where I think they got a bit of a run on and we were able to minimise that impact, and go the other way and attack their attack,” Polec said.
“It was a very pleasing result, and (for Spotswood) to have six scoring shots after quarter-time was a tremendous effort from all 18 players.”
Luke D’Anello
