By Tara Murray
Hoppers Crossing unveiled its premiership flag and made it two from two in the Western Football League division 1 on Saturday.
After struggling early last season, the Warriors have shown early they are set to be in the mix again with wins against two of last season’s finalists.
President John Semertzidis said they can’t complain at this time of the season after a really good start.
“On the footy front it has been good,” he said. “We had a good win on Saturday and it’s been a much better start than last year.
“Last year we lost our first four matches. It’s good to have a good start for a bit of a change.”
Semertzidis said they were able to get all their stars out there on Saturday against Caroline Springs and put it together on the field.
He said the margin was a bit larger than what he had expected it to be heading into the match.
The Warriors led by two points at quarter time before kicking six goals to one in the second quarter to open the game up.
They were able to build on the lead in the second half to come away with a 19.10 (124)-11.13 (79) win.
Semertzidis said they slowed down a bit in the second half with the heat.
Ryan Kitchen kicked seven goals in a best on ground performance while Harry Maguire kicked five goals in his first game of the season.
Semertzidis said a number of their experienced players stood out, while he singled out one of the youngest players on the field.
“Lucas Fisher played his second game as a 17-year-old,” he said. “He played last week and held his spot despite four or five players coming back into the side.
“He played in under-16s last year and played seven or eight games in the under-18s as they were short on numbers.
“He’s played senior football before actually playing in under-18s as an under-18 player.”
Anarkiikonda Van Wills and Klyde Milroy, who both joined the club from Yarraville Seddon this season, have also started the season well.
After a big couple of weeks to start the season, the Warriors have a couple of even bigger weeks coming up.
They face Point Cook on Good Friday and then its the grand final rematch against Werribee Districts on Anzac Day.
Across the club, Semertzidis said things were going well.
He said among the highlights was their first ever under-10 team female coach.
In other results, Werribee Districts also made it two from two, beating Yarraville Seddon, 18.15 (123)-15.11 (101).
Jack Fletcher kicked four goals with Ben McMahon named their best.
Point Cook just fell short of a win against Newport, losing 14.5 (89)-12.12 (84).
It was a tough day for Point Cook Centrals, losing to Spotswood 19.18 (132)-3.8 (26).
In division 2, the Suns and Wyndhamvale both had wins while Tarneit lost to Western Rams.
