By Lance Jenkinson
It was one of the last frontiers remaining unconquered by Hoppers Crossing and coach Steven Kretiuk in Western Region Football League division 1.
A win on the road against local rivals Werribee Districts had frustratingly eluded the Warriors.
That hoodoo came to an end on Anzac Day with the Warriors claiming a 21-point win in the Wyndham blockbuster at Soldiers Reserve.
The landmark victory ticked a lot of boxes for Kretiuk.
“It was a really good win,” he said. “It’s the first time we’ve beaten them there since they’ve been in the competition. It was obviously a really big day to be involved in, being Anzac Day.
“A huge crowd, a pretty big event and probably the best we’ve played for a while, so it was pleasing.”
Kretiuk gave the thumbs up to Anzac Day football in the WRFL.
He applauded those in the massive crowd, calling on them to be regular attendees to WRFL matches, not just on special occasions.
“That’s what local footy is about,” Kretiuk said. “The crowd and the supporters that were there. It’s a massive step in the right direction for the league. People need to understand that we need that support for every single team in the competition, week in, week out – not just on big occasions.”
Hoppers Crossing secured its second consecutive win on the back of an eight-goal-to-four final quarter.
Daniel Riosa was immense for the Warriors, particularly when the game was on the line.
The ruck-forward capped a best-afield performance with four goals.
Hoppers Crossing’s forward line fired on all cylinders. Daniel Strnak was a livewire small with four goals and there were multiples goals for Brenton Payne (three), Jackson Viola and Brandon Houlihan (two each).
It was the defensive work of new recruits Hayden Iannacone and Ethan Henley, along with Nathan Williams, that saved the day for Hoppers Crossing. They had the big jobs curtailing the dangerous Werribee Districts forward line that has caused the Warriors so many headaches over the years.
“Those guys don’t get the recognition externally because they’re not high possession winners,” Kretiuk said. “But when you look at the game as a whole, they’ve done something that we haven’t been able to do for a long time … keep their forwards quiet, so hats off to those guys.”
Hoppers Crossing will face another 2-1 side, Spotswood, in a mouth-watering clash at Hogans Road Reserve on Saturday.
Elsewhere in division 1, Altona overcame Spotswood by 10 points, St Albans came
back from 25 down to beat Caroline Springs, Deer Park cruised to a 230-point win over Albion and Sunshine crushed Point Cook by 70.
In division 2, Point Cook Centrals had a thrilling one-point win over Manor Lakes and Wyndhamvale stormed to a 116-point victory over North Footscray.
In division 3, Wyndham Suns broke through for their first win under new coach Dean Cachia, beating Laverton by 25 points.
Glen Orden made it three straight with a 56-point win over Sunshine Heights, while Tarneit continued on its merry way with a 190-point mauling of North Sunshine.
MORE WRFL NEWS
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/altona-one-up-in-rivalry/
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/st-albans-fights-back/
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/albanvale-sees-off-sting-of-defeat/
