HOPPERS Crossing had the luxury of being able to rest its battle-weary stars such was the ease in which it disposed of undermanned Sunshine Heights in Western Region Football League division 1 on Saturday.
The Warriors opted to give boom recruit and key forward Kade Carey a week off and used the interchange bench to limit the playing time of their key midfielders.
Warriors captain Brad Murphy said the blowout 205-point win over the Dragons had to be an afterthought with a stern challenge against Deer Park at Hogans Road Oval coming this Saturday.
“[The Dragons] are not a great side at the moment, but we still had to go out there and do a job and we did. Obviously it’s a good percentage-booster and we went about it the right way.
“With no disrespect to Sunshine Heights, we’ve just got to scrap that game and worry about Deer Park, which is a massive game for us.
“We’ll sort out where we’re going to be and where they’re going to be on the ladder. We’re absolutely pumped for the game.”
The Warriors were merciless in pounding the Dragons, kicking kicked nine goals straight in the opening term and 38 for the game.
Thomas Jehle feasted on the delivery into the forward line to boot eight.
“He’s a really good contested mark,” Murphy said. “He’s good on the lead, but technically one of the best set shots for goal I’ve seen, especially in such a young kid.
“When Terry Knight’s playing and when Kade’s playing, Thommo’s going to get the third or fourth best defender and if they take him too lightly, good luck for them.”
A feature of the Warriors’ victory was the run generated from their half-back line.
The Dragons struggled to curtail the ball use and leg speed of Brent Sheean and Daniel Riosa.
“They ran off half-back really well and linked up,” Murphy said.
