Hoppers Crossing totally dismantled cross-town rivals Werribee Districts on Saturday and sent a message that it should be considered a premiership contender in the Western Region Football League division 1.
Even the most ardent Warriors fan could not have envisaged a lop-sided 76-point victory at Hogans Road Reserve, especially since the home side had not beaten the Tigers in four attempts since their return to the competition from the VAFA.
“Our pressure around the footy and our attack were very good against a really quality opposition,” Warriors coach Steve Kretiuk told
Star Weekly. “Our ball movement was really precise.”
The Warriors may have fielded a young team, with 15 players of 21 or under, but they ripped the L-plates off in a win like that.
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There is no sneaking under the radar now, the spotlight is on them.
Now the Warriors face the ultimate challenge, a clash against two-time defending champion Deer Park at Hogans Road on Saturday.
That is the Warriors’ sole focus, even if it means little in the jostle for positions within the top five after the Warriors clinched a top-three finish and a double chance at the weekend.
“That’s what finals footy is about, pitting yourself against the better sides,” Kretiuk said.
“This is the biggest challenge in this competition. We have to make sure we prepare properly and we’re certainly not getting ahead of ourselves.”
Wayde Skipper left his fingerprints all over the ball en route to a three-goal, best-on-ground performance. He rotated between ruck and forward and the Tigers had no answers for the dominant big man.
“He was outstanding in the ruck and even when he went forward,” Kretiuk said. “He was the most dominant player on the ground.”
Jackson Viola, so often lauded for his work at the defensive end, swung forward to boot five goals.
That move was made possible by Ashlin Brown going back to keep a close check on dangerous Tigers forward Chris Molivas, who was limited to two goals after kicking 15 in the previous two matches.
“We wanted another tall marking option so we moved Jacko forward,” Kretiuk said.
“If Browny doesn’t take on that defensive role, we have to put Jacko back, so I thought Ash’s job on Molivas was outstanding.”
Youngsters Jordan Taylor, Mitch Palma and Jordan Cook fired for the Warriors, while Jordan Mead booted four goals.
But it was the players on the fringe of the team that most impressed their coach.
“Seven or eight players we weren’t sure about all put their hands up,” Kretiuk said.
While the Warriors host Deer Park in a dead rubber on Saturday, Werribee Districts’ final-round encounter with Spotswood at Soldiers Reserve will have plenty riding on it, with the winner to secure a double chance and the loser facing a potential elimination final against Altona.
In division 2, Wyndhamvale made light work of confirmed wooden-spooner Sunshine Heights, winning by 153 points at Ainsworth Reserve to keep their spot on top of the ladder, but there were heavy losses for Glenorden and Manor Lakes.
In division 3, Wyndham Suns double chance hopes were dashed in a 69-point loss to Albanvale, while Sanctuary Lakes made it four successive wins by edging out Laverton Magpies by nine points.
