The finals race was all shook up in a dramatic three hours in the Western Region Football League division 1 on Saturday.
Altona threw its hat back into the ring with a 46-point win over fifth-placed St Albans at Grant Reserve.
The Vikings not only drew level on points with the Saints, but have a shot at taking their spot in the top five when they face Port Melbourne Colts away on Saturday, while the Saints twiddle their thumbs with a bye.
Vikings playing coach Josh Russo told Star Weekly the manner of the victory was a signal of intent from his team.
“It was really pleasing to beat one of those sides that have been above us,” he said. “It gave us an opportunity to claw back some points.
“We don’t want to make up the numbers … we want to be up to our necks and the way we can do that from now on is win games.”
For three quarters of the game, it was a real arm wrestle.
The Vikings had their noses in front by eight points at three-quarter time but the Saints had been wasteful and were very much in the contest.
It was going to take something special for one of the sides to break away, and the Vikings produced one of their best quarters of the season to bang in eight goals to one.
“I thought we played really well after quarter-time,” Russo said. “We weren’t playing good footy early but we really fought back and started to dominant possession and play.
“It wasn’t an easy day for footy but I thought our leaders stepped up and helped us prevail.”
One of those leaders was Jayden Post, who proved the difference between the sides with eight goals.
He was the beneficiary of the hard work of midfielders Jordan Robbins, Travis Lunardi and Trent Rafferty, who, in turn, had ruckman Josh Rafferty feeding them first use of the ball at the stoppages.
“Eight goals is awesome to see in the paper but there was a lot of lead-up work that resulted in those eight goals,” Russo said. “It is reflective of him converting his opportunities.”
Post, a former Richmond-listed player, had an extended break from the game last season and played only four matches.
The 25-year-old came back refreshed this season but took some time to re-capture his best football.
He seems to be at the peak of his performance now and that is bad news for opposition teams.
“He’s certainly been brewing for a couple of weeks,” Russo said. “He’s played a key role over the last four or five weeks, being the leader and the player everyone knows he can be and dragging a few boys along with him.
“From an execution point, I feel he is now on top of his game.”
Meanwhile, Spotswood had a percentage boosting 142-point win over Port Melbourne Colts at McLean Reserve.
Lachlan Fairley booted seven goals for the Woodsmen in a best-on-ground performance. The Woodsmen and Hoppers Crossing will battle it out for second spot at Hogans Road Reserve on Saturday.
In division 2, North Footscray has built a handy two-game-and-percentage break over fifth-placed Caroline Springs after a 62-point win Caroline Springs at Hansen Reserve.
Lucas Hall and Kaine Williams both kicked six for the Devils.
West Footscray strengthened its hold on second spot with an 85-point thrashing of Glenorden.
