Spotswood’s double chance hopes received a battering in a 53-point loss to Hoppers Crossing in division 1 of the Western Region Football League at Hogans Road Reserve on Saturday.
The Woodsmen are a game and percentage out of second spot and their own third position on the ladder, which also comes with a finals double shot, remains shaky.
The signs were poor for the Woodsmen early in the blockbuster game as the Warriors piled on four goals to zip in the first term to lead by 29 at quarter-time.
The Woodsmen found a way back into the contest in the second quarter when captain Tom Langlands, onballer David Iaccarino and utility Murray Boyd began to assert their influence over the contest to trim the deficit to 16 by half-time.
But the Warriors pounded the Woodsmen in a nine-goals-to-three second half.
The Warriors are now clear second favourites in the premiership race, while the Woodsmen are fighting to preserve their top-three status.
The Woodsmen will be looking to bounce back when they host second-last Albion at McLean Reserve on Saturday.
Altona has climbed up to fifth spot with a 119-point annihilation of Port Melbourne Colts at Murphy Reserve. Travis Lunardi kicked six goals, while Cameron D’Altera, Daniel O’Leary and Jayden Post kicked four apiece.
The Vikings next host Hoppers Crossing at Grant Reserve on Saturday.
In other top-flight games, Deer Park kept hold of top spot with an 85-point belting of Sunshine Kangaroos and Werribee Districts easily accounted for Albion by 49 points.
