AN astonishing 10-goal second quarter by St Albans set up a 29-point win over Port Colts in Western Region Football League division 1 on Saturday.
The Saints managed just two scoring shots in the opening term as the Colts took a 20-point lead into the quarter-time break.
But St Albans slammed on 10 goals to three in the second to take an 18-point lead by half-time. It was a mesmerising turnaround and ensured St Albans leapfrogged Hoppers Crossing to grab fifth spot on the table, with the Warriors going down by 68 to Spotswood.
There would be no repeat of the second-quarter heroics in the second half by the Saints as Port slowed them defensively, cutting the margin slightly in the third quarter to 16 points.
But another five goals – and accurate kicking overall, 19 goals from 23 scoring shots – gave St Albans a slight percentage boost, crucial in the battle for the final slot in the top five.
Jack Sims and Matt Quigley were sensational for St Albans, while Daniel McKerracher booted seven in his second game back from a hamstring injury.
Coach Ian Denny said McKerracher was one of the stars of the win.
“He was the catalyst in the second quarter, that really set us up for the win,” Denny said. “We had a poor first quarter. We came out with a relaxed attitude and found ourselves four goals down. The boys realised that if they didn’t change it we’d find ourselves in trouble.”
Denny said this weekend’s clash with Hoppers Crossing was an “eight-point game” and would go a long way to deciding who claims fifth spot.
“It’s a huge game and both clubs are going in with that mindset,” he said.
“If we win it’s going to hold us in good stead, but if we lose it will be a battle and we’ll have to beat sides we didn’t in the first half of the season.”
The Saints may have to do it without captain and dual Barry Priest medallist Tim Jenkins, who was reported for charging. In other games, Albion was smashed by 107 points by Altona, coach Mark Greenshields lamenting his side’s worst four-quarter effort coming a week after its best four-quarter effort in a four-point loss to Sunshine.
Greenshields said young ruckman Josh Michetti, who backed up from the under-18s, Kym Taylor in the midfield and Chris Hall down back with turning in good, effective games. Sunshine had an easy 131-point win over winless North Footscray. while Deer Park remains undefeated after a 90-point win over Yarraville Seddon.
