DESPITE reigning as premiers, Altona Vikings still feel they have a point to prove in the Western Region Football League division 1.
Vikings captain Josh Russo told the Weekly his club continues to “slip under the radar” while talk around the traps centres on the ‘dream team’ assembled by Deer Park and on how a case could have been made for Spotswood in last year’s grand final.
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Russo believes his side is yet to earn the total respect of the competition.
Perhaps the Vikings need to go back-to-back to get undivided attention from the wider WRFL.
“You read the papers about last year’s grand final and it was about how Spotty lost it and not how we won it,” he said.
“Everyone is talking about all the recruits at Deer Park.
“We’ve also topped up with quality. You add ‘Posty’ [Jayden Post] to the forward line and Abdul [Jawad] from Spotty to the midfield, who gives you speed.
“We’ve also got our home-grown talent. We’re genuine mates and not players coming from different leagues.”
The Vikings continued their assault on the path to the finals with a powerful showing on the road at Hoppers Crossing on Saturday.
They dictated play from the outset for a comfortable 46-point win.
“It was a heated game and the boys withstood the pressure well,” Russo said. “We came with a focus on being intense over four quarters.
“It was important to get off to a good start. We got on top early and that’s where it stayed.”
A feature of the Vikings this season has been the consistent form of Steven Kennedy.
The former VFL player was hampered with injuries last season and is relishing a clean bill of health.
Reece Miles is in a similar boat.
His workrate on the training track is the envy of his teammates.
Miles returned to form to burn his former club on the weekend with his ability to sprint away from packs.
“The workrate from Steven and Reece is second to none,” Russo said.
