Tara Murray
Hoppers Crossing’s best and worst was on show in its win against Point Cook Centrals in the Western Football League division 1.
The Warriors were able to do enough in the end to come away with a 12.12 (84)-12.6 (78) win.
Coach Jared Polec said it wasn’t their best performance having led by 31 points at half time.
“We were a little bit inconsistent with our play,” he said. “You saw the best and the worst of us and we need to close the gap and find that middle ground especially when teams are coming at us.”
Polec said despite dropping away defensively against the Sharks, they never gave up offensively and that was the difference in the game according to Polec.
Sam Clifford kicked three goals for the Warriors and was their only multiple goal kicker.
Corey Muscat, Clifford and Bailey Young were named their best.
For the Sharks Daniel Strnak and Luke Henderson kicked two goals each, while Strnak was named their best.
Polec said they were trialling a new system as they try and close the gap in their performances.
He said the side had made massive inroads this season having finished bottom last year with two wins.
“There’s been a lot of improvement and so many positives,” he said. “We just need a bit more consistency.
“It’s about closing that gap in defence. It’s a credit to the guys for believing in me as coach and the system we’re developing.
“When we do come up against a top side, we want to be matching it, not just making up the numbers.
After 14 rounds the Warriors sit in fourth spot, two points clear of Spotswood which is just outside a finals spot at this stage.
It’s a massive match this week for the Warriors, who face Altona which is in fifth spot, also two points behind them.
Polec said winning this match would take them a step closer to sealing a finals spot.
“Travis [Varcoe] has got them playing good footy at the right time,” he said.
“We need to nullify them at stoppages and score off their turnovers.”
Altona on Saturday did what no other team had done this season, beating Werribee Districts.
It was a low scoring affair with the Tigers failing to kick a goal after quarter time in the 5.10 (40)-3.11 (29).
Callan Gilboy, Ben McMahon and Josh Cochrane were the Tigers best in the loss.
They still remain on top, but Caroline Springs is only two points behind.
Point Cook has slipped to bottom after losing to Spotswood.
The Bulldogs were held goal less in the first half and couldn’t close the gap in the second half, losing, 8.15 (63)-4.5 (29).
Austin Hodge, Tyler and Billy Kolyniuk were the Bulldogs best. They now sit percentage behind Point Cook Centrals.
In division 2, Tarneit made it two in a row with a big win against North Sunshine, Wyndhamvale beat North Footscray, while the Suns were upset by West Footscray.
