By Lance Jenkinson
Manor Lakes is limping its way to the mid-point of the Western Region Football League division 2 season.
The Storm came into the season with high hopes, but the injury toll has crippled the side in the opening eight rounds.
First-year player-coach Dion Lawson is at least getting a good look at the depth of talent on the Storm list, but it is not ideal for a coach who went into the season with finals in mind.
“We’ve got about 20 names on the board that are injured,” Lawson said.
“Some of your top-end talent is gone, your depth is a little bit shaky and we’ve got some injuries in the twos, as well.
“That’s football and you’ve got to learn to deal with it.”
Manor Lakes slumped to 1-7 after a 19-point loss to North Footscray at Howqua Reserve on Saturday.
The Storm was competitive, as it has been in most games this season, but the Devils had too much composure in the crunch moments.
“As a team, there were some really good signs, some very good passages of play with the way we moved the footy and the attack on the man was everything that I asked for,” Lawson said.
“It’s just that we fell down in a couple of crucial areas of the game at critical times.”
The difference in the end was North Footscray’s conversion. The Devils had one less shot on goal, but finished with an immaculate 13.3, compared to the Storm’s 9.8.
Will Finlay was the main shining light for Manor Lakes. He was nigh on impassable across centre half-back.
“That’s probably the best game I’ve seen him play at this footy club,” Lawson said.
“He stood in the hole and took everything that came in and rebounded out.”
Youngsters Bradley Jones and Joel Patty showed strong signs. Jones burnt off his opponents with speed, while Patty’s physicality was a feature.
Justin Palmer was taken from his regular position in defence and inserted into the forward line to good effect. He kicked three goals and formed a dangerous partnership with Ty Priest, who kicked two.
Manor Lakes will round out the first half of the season in a derby against Wyndhamvale at Wyndham Vale South Oval on Saturday.
Elsewhere in division 2, Wyndhamvale tasted defeat for the first time this season, losing a top-of-the-ladder clash with Yarraville Seddon by 59 points. The Falcons remain a game and percentage clear on top of the ladder.
Point Cook Centrals continue to thrive in their promotion year, consolidating third spot with a 27-point win over West Footscray.
In division 1, Hoppers Crossing overcame goal-kicking yips to beat Sunshine by 32 points.
The Warriors could only manage 11 goals from 31 scoring shots.
Werribee Districts cruised to a 78-point win over Caroline Springs to stay in third spot.
Point Cook managed just one goal in a 176-point hammering from Spotswood.
In division 3, flawless Glen Orden remains two games and percentage clear on top of the ladder after a hard-fought 24-point win over a gallant Wyndham Suns.
Tarneit lost a thriller to Braybrook by three points, leaving it a game and percentage behind the top two.
