Tara Murray
Hoppers Crossing came away with the points against Spotswood on Saturday in the Western Region Football League division 1, but it could have easily gone the other way.
The Warriors trailed by 31 points at the main break, as they were made to pay for their poor ball use.
While it could have been easy to put the cue in the rack, the group fought back in the second half.
The margin was reduced to 15 points at the main break, before four goals to one in the last quarter, sealed an 8.14 (62)-9.5 (59) win.
Warriors coach Steve Kretiuk said they would take the points.
“It wasn’t pretty but it was good to get the four points, as it’s pretty close this year,” he said.
“The first half didn’t look good as we didn’t possess the footy as well as we would have liked and opened up the game for them.
“They were able to capitalise on our turnovers. We rectified that in the second half and controlled the game a bit better.”
Kretiuk said they made a few positional changes at half time to try and be a bit more dynamic going forward.
He said they were thrilled with how the group responded.
“We had more opportunities to score,” he said. “At half it could have gone either way mentally.
“We were able to ground out a win. With a really young side in, there were some good signs.”
Nicholas Sing and Ezzat Haddara kicked two goals apiece for the Warriors. Joshua Pickess, Haddara and Nicholas Poland were named the Warriors best.
But it was a young player on debut that impressed Kretiuk the most. Levi Boys was named as the 23rd man, which gave an opportunity for a younger player to step up and play, and he didn’t look out of place.
“It was his first senior game and he made a significant impact for us,”Kretiuk said.
“In the last quarter we tried to get him off for a rotation but we couldn’t as he was playing so well.
“He will be a handy footballer for us.”
The win was the Warriors’ sixth of the season. They sit in third spot.
The Warriors face their biggest challenge this week, taking on an undefeated Caroline Springs side.
Kretiuk said they were looking forward to the challenge. Liam McMahon and Jack Dorgan are set to return from injury in a boost for the Warriors.
“They are a stocked up side,” he said. “They play a good brand of football and we will know where we are at after this match.
“We have to make sure we sharpen up on our efficiency, especially with our foot skills.”
In other results, Werribee Districts was too strong for Sunshine, winning 20.9 (129)-8.12 (60).
Point Cook lost to Caroline Springs 30.30 (200)-4.4 (28).
In division 2, Wyndhamvale lost to Parkside, while Point Cook Centrals remained undefeated after beating Glen Orden.
Tarneit and the Suns were among the winners in division 3.
