HOPPERS Crossing had the composure to seal a 16-point opening night win over St Albans in the Western Region Football League’s Good Friday blockbuster at Kings Park Reserve.
The Warriors had assumed a semblance of control over the match in the second and third quarters, but the Saints refused to concede, getting as close as one point midway through the last term.
A play-changing late smother from Terry Knight and a 50-metre penalty and goal to Aaron Williams in time-on ensured the Warriors would hold off a late charge from the home side to get their campaign off to a winning start.
Warriors captain Brad Murphy told the Weekly in the rooms post-game that opening-round encounters were invariably tight, hard-fought contests with every player trying to make their mark on a new season, and he was happy to escape with four precious points.
“We knew it’d be an arm wrestle,” he said. “Typically, round one, sides struggle to get the game in the open. It’s really congested footy.
“We just had to match their hardness early. They’ve got big bodies and they’re hard at the footy. We overran them with our fitness.”
The holiday affair under lights starred two of the best power forwards in the game.
Warriors full-forward Kade Carey and Saints centre half-forward Aaron Henneman each booted four goals. Brydon Coles was one of the major reasons the Warriors returned to Hogans Road with the points, limiting the influence of dual Barry Priest medallist Tim Jenkins.
Scott Greenhough backed up for his second game in 24 hours and was outstanding in the ruck.
The young ruckman had featured for Collingwood’s VFL side against the AIS/AFL Academy in an exhibition match on the MCG a night earlier.
“Three years ago, he wasn’t playing footy,” Murphy said, “so for him to come out now and play two games in 24 hours and then to contribute the way he did tonight was terrific.”
Attention turns to the opening round of division 2 this weekend.
Saturday’s fixtures (home team’s first) are: Albanvale v North Sunshine, Glenorden v West Footscray, Manor Lakes v Laverton Magpies, Parkside v Braybrook, Sanctuary Lakes v Sunshine Heights and Wyndhamvale v Caroline Springs.
