Hoppers Crossing issued a quick cull of the Sunshine Kangaroos in the Western Region Football League division 1 at Hogans Road Reserve on Saturday.
The Warriors dusted off their defensive blowtorch to hold the Kangaroos to a single goal in the first half to set up a resounding 79-point victory, 20.10 (130) – 7.9 (51).
Warriors coach Steven Kretiuk said it was his side’s best defensive effort of the season.
“One of our issues is that we’ve been off a bit defensively compared to last year,” he told Star Weekly.
“To keep Sunshine, who are a good side, to one goal in a half is as good as we’re going to get.
“I think we doubled their inside-50s in the first half and it was due to our forward-half pressure and tackle pressure and ability to cover their outlets coming out of defence.”
The Warriors have been the most potent attacking side in the competition over the first six rounds, averaging 108 points a game.
Their 20 goals against the Roos came from 10 individual goal kickers.
At the forefront of the carnage was livewire forward Jordan Mead, who booted seven for the second week running.
Mead’s hot form in the forward line is giving his coach something to think about when considering his role for the remainder of the season.
“We brought him into the side as a midfielder, but he can certainly play both,” Kretiuk said.
“It was actually by accident last week that we put him forward.
“He got a corkie and I said to him at half-time, you either don’t play the rest of the game or you play in the goal square and he said ‘I’ll play in the goal square’ and kicked five goals in seven minutes.
“This week, we started him there, but we also put him through the midfield in the second half, so we have the luxury with him to chuck him anywhere because he’s a ball magnet and he’s very clean with the footy.”
The Warriors are finding more avenues to goal this season.
Wayde Skipper has become a forward threat with second ruckman Daniel Riosa having a bigger impact on the ball.
Skipper snared two goals to take his season tally to 17 and is relishing the fact he’s not as handcuffed to the rucking duties as he has been in years past.
Matthew Smith, the Warriors best on ground, also bobbed up with two goals.
Smith was superb at winning the ball in and under and Kretiuk rated it one of the best games he’s seen from the onballer.
Brent Sheean and David Brierty have been integral parts of a deeper Warriors midfield this season and both caused problems for the Kangaroos.
Sheean returned from the preseason as fit as he’s been and is dominating on the wing, while Brierty is showing so much progress in a short space of time that Kretiuk expects him to pass most other midfielders in the competition before too long.
“His stuff inside the contest is as good as we’ve got and he’s an AFL standard kick,” Kretiuk said. “For a guy who’s only 21, he’s up there with the best midfielders in the comp.”
The Warriors have improved to 5-1, but they know they won’t be judged until the end of this tough three-week block of matches.
They have local rivals Werribee Districts at Soldiers Reserve on Saturday, followed by reigning premiers Deer Park and St Albans.
“We’re going to know where we sit in the competition,” Kretiuk said.