Tara Murray
The monkey is off the back for Hoppers Crossing in the Western Football League division 1 competition.
The Warriors broke through for their first win of the season on Saturday, knocking off Point Cook Centrals with a strong four quarter performance.
The Warriors set the win up in the first quarter with eight goals and were able to hold on after that, winning 13.10 (88)-8.14 (62).
Warriors president John Semertzidis said it was a relief to walk away with the four points.
“Last weekend was our worst game we had played, before that we had been in every game,” he said.
“Against Werribee Districts we should have won that game, we have got one now. We’ve played the top three or four sides and hopefully we’ll have a few easier games now.”
Semertzidis said in the first quarter they were able to blow the Sharks out of the water saying they played out of their skins.
He said not surprisingly, the Sharks then responded.
“We slowed down a little bit and Point Cook Centrals got into the game,” he said. “One of the things we’ve done well in games was fight really hard and we did that again.”
Mitchell Kunigiskis kicked six goals and was one of the Warriors best.
Jed Anderson and Josh Pickess were other standouts with both returning the side on the weekend.
Semertzidis said they were hoping the win would help launch their season.
“It’d been a very long time between drinks, with only two wins last season,” he said. “Hopefully we can get on a bit of a roll.
“We’ve got Altona this week at home.”
The Warriors remain bottom, but are only one game behind Spotswood in fourth spot after five rounds.
Semertzidis said they had made a lot of improvement on last season.
“The losses we’ve had this year, they were 10 to 12 goal losses,” he said. “We’ve improved five or six goals this season.
“It’s made a big difference. The young guys have bought into the coach’s philosophy and we’re finding our feet.”
For the Sharks, Zac Banch, Kwar Ater and Nathan Williams were named their best.
In other matches, Werribee Districts remain undefeated after beating Altona, 19.11 (125)-10.10 (70).
The Tigers trailed by 10 points at half time before kicking 14 goals to three in the second half.
Lucas Rocci was named their best.
Point Cook bounced back after a loss last week and beat Spotswood, 11.13 (79)-10.12 (72).
