Half the battle for Hoppers Crossing is what goes on between the ears.
When the Warriors are mentally tuned in to a task in the Western Region Football League division 1, they can produce results like Saturday’s punishing 47-point win over Sunshine Kangaroos on the road at Kinder Smith Reserve.
If they are not switched on, they are susceptible to unexpected losses, like the brain fade they had a week earlier against Altona Vikings.
“We’ve got to make sure we come with the right mindset, because if we don’t, we certainly fall away a fair bit,” Warriors coach Steven Kretiuk told Star Weekly.
“We didn’t turn up mentally against Altona and they had a will to win the game more than we did, which is disappointing.
“So we set ourselves for this week to make sure we have a good opportunity to get the four points after that disappointing loss to Altona.”
The one act that typified the Warriors day would come from Ryan Kitchen.
The forward-turned-midfielder had no business to do with a looped ball from a Kangaroos player to his teammate, but he made it his business.
He ran the best part of 40 metres to make a contest and affect a spoil with self-preservation the furthest thing from his mind.
Right at that moment, Kretiuk knew his side would not yield to the Kangaroos in a danger game.
“When they were about to rebound, he’s sprinted and crashed the pack and ended up injuring himself,” Kretiuk said.
“It’s just about that determination.
“It will be in our highlight reel on Tuesday night because that’s the efforts we need if we’re going to go anywhere this year.”
Jordan Taylor would feature prominently in the Warriors highlights too.
The teenager’s repeated ferocity at the contest had even the most experienced players on the ground taking notice.
“He certainly shows the way for some of our older guys,” Kretiuk said.
“When the ball is in the vicinity, the way you should attack it is the way that he attacks it.”
Corey Muscat’s selfless attitude was another key to the Warriors win.
You are never going to totally eliminate the influence of Kangaroos onballer Jake Allan, but Muscat willingness to perform a run-with role on Allan limited the damage.
“I really rate Jake Allen – he’s one of the premier onballers in the comp,” Kretiuk said.
“He got his touches, but they were all under pressure, they were rushed and he didn’t have much impact in the game.”
The Warriors had winners across the board after quarter time, when they piled on 12 goals to five for a runaway win.
Jordan Mead and Mohamad El Hawli booted four goals apiece for the Warriors.
Mead was the game’s most dangerous small forward, while El Hawli was damaging on a wing.
Jackson Viola and Harley Armstrong-Weston were rock steady in defence, while veteran Wayde Skipper had a big impact in the ruck.
When the Warriors come face to face with Werribee Districts at Hogans Road Reserve this Saturday, something will have to give.
The Warriors are yet to beat the Tigers since their return to the competition from the VAFA, but they are also yet to taste defeat on their home track this season.
There is more than just local bragging rights on the line with a win to either side likely to lock away a finals double chance.
Werribee Districts will go into the game chock full of confidence, not just because of their impeccable record against the Warriors, but after holding
Port Melbourne Colts goal-less in a remarkable 174-point win at Soldiers Reserve last start.
Chris Molivas booted 10 goals for the Tigers, while Ryan Harrington booted seven.
In division 2, Wyndhamvale moved a step closer to the minor premiership, beating Caroline Springs by 48 points, but there were heavy losses for Glenorden and Manor Lakes.
In division 3, Sanctuary Lakes are heading to the finals after a 58-point win over Tarneit, while the Wyndham Suns stayed in the double chance hunt with an 82-point win over Braybrook.
