This was a win for the boys. Laverton Magpies coach Christian Spence deflected all the credit to his players after the eye-catching 30-point win over Sanctuary Lakes in the Western Region Football League division 3 at Laverton Park on Saturday.
Spence lauded the willingness of his side to get their hands dirty at training in the lead-up and then coming ready to play.
“The win was for them and they totally deserve what they got,” he told Star Weekly.
“They’ve been building to this and it’s a credit to their hard work. Their performances over the past four weeks have been phenomenal.
“I couldn’t be prouder as a coach.”
The Magpies were in control from the outset.
Their superior leg speed was evident as they raced to a 37-point half-time lead.
The on-ball brigade, led by Drew Mitchell, Bryan Lawry, Jake Johnson and Paddy Hynes, got on top early and never let up.
“Our midfield was sensational and I think it was the difference,” Spence said. “We’ve got young guys with a lot of pace.”
New Magpies recruit Wade Kirkwood capped a best-on-ground display with three goals. The Tasmanian utility has impressed since landing at Merton Street with his ability to play a variety of positions.
“He’s been a fantastic pick-up for the club,” Spence said.
“He’s a dangerous forward who can play high or deep and he has a capacity to go back as well.
“He’s well-rounded in all aspects of the game and is getting better every week.”
The Magpies would not have won without the influence of Mick Lindsey in the forward line.
He snared five goals and worked well with Steve Paone and Richard Mulroy in his first game back at the club since being cleared from second division West Footscray.
“He led from the front and provided us with a good target,” Spence said.
“He’s hard at the ball and his second and third efforts in the way he plays are phenomenal.”
The Magpies are suddenly just half a game outside the top four and with a game against bottom side Braybrook this Saturday, but Spence doused premature talk of finals.
“It’s only one game of football and there are still eight rounds to go,” he said.
“We still have a hard road ahead of us. We play all the top four sides in the last eight games and the competition is very even.
“We just have to keep playing the brand of football that we’ve been playing.”
In division 1, Spotswood was again no match for Deer Park in the second grand final re-match of the season, going down by 65 points at McLean Reserve.
At no stage did the Woodsmen appear likely of an upset as the Lions moved a massive 10 points clear on top of the ladder.
Altona harmed its finals chances with a 76-point loss to rising Werribee Districts at JK Grant Reserve.
In division 2, West Footscray claimed a 43-point win in its neighbourhood stoush with North Footscray at Hansen Reserve.
The Roosters were in control from go to whoa, with Mustafa Mesto and Munir El Houli each booting four goals for the winning side.
Yarraville-Seddon had a weekend to forget, upset by seven points at home by Glenorden.
