By Lance Jenkinson
Hoppers Crossing will return to the Western Region Football League division 1 grand final for the second time in three seasons.
The Warriors advanced after a nail-biting three-point win over Altona at the Williamstown Cricket Ground on Saturday.
The terrible conditions resulted in one of the lowest scoring matches of the year.
Both sides kicked just three goals apiece, but Hoppers Crossing got over the line by three handy points.
Jayden Post threatened to tear the game apart for Altona, kicking the opening two goals to give his side a 13-point lead at quarter-time.
But the Vikings could only manage one goal through Josh MacDonald thereafter, which came in the third quarter.
Two goals to Jackson Viola and one to best-on-ground Ashlin Brown secured the win for Hoppers Crossing.
The Warriors are unlikely grand finalists.
Even Warriors coach Steven Kretiuk thought making the season decider would be a stretch when he faced an off season full of departures and injuries.
This young Warriors team was fast tracked and gets the chance to stand in the way of history.
Their grand final opponents, Deer Park, are going for a record breaking sixth consecutive premiership.
Hoppers Crossing is out to spoil the party.
However, Deer Park deserved to be hot favourites, having thrashed Hoppers Crossing in week one of the finals by 48.
In other games at Avalon Airport Oval this Saturday, Caroline Springs and Altona will contest the reserves grand final at 11.40am, and the under-19 grand final between Hoppers Crossing and Altona will begin at 9.15am.
The division 1 senior grand final will begin at 2.25pm.
