WRFL: Cobras cling to finals hopes as Lakers upset Heights

ALBANVALE coach Robert Scardamaglia believes his side has a slim chance of playing finals in Western Region Football League division 2 after a nine-point win over Braybrook on Saturday.

The Cobras (7-7) are sixth on the ladder, one spot, eight points and more than 80 per cent out of the five, but they benefited from Sunshine Heights’ shock loss to Caroline Springs.

Albanvale plays Caroline Springs, Glen Orden, West Footscray and Wyndhamvale in the run home, while Sunshine Heights faces Glen Orden, West Footscray, Wyndham Vale and Parkside.

The Cobras would have to win at least three and hope the Dragons’ season tapers off dramatically.

Albanvale led by 25 points at half-time against Braybrook before the Bombers cut the lead to just six points by three-quarter time. Both sides kicked three in the final term, but the Cobras edged ahead to win  12.12 (84) to 11.9 (75).

Scardamaglia, who pulled on the boots for the second week running, said his side was a “bit lucky”. 

“We kept persisting and we just got there,” he said. “Now we’ve just got to make the most of every game. We’re a very slim chance of playing finals.

“We got through unscathed, but it’s not good when the coach is running around.”

Meanwhile, Caroline Springs had its best win of the season, beating Sunshine Heights 9.20 (74) to 5.11 (41).

 The Lakers held the Dragons to just two goals by three-quarter time and the margin would have been bigger but for Caroline Springs’ inaccurate kicking.

North Sunshine could not repeat its round three heroics against Laverton Magpies, losing 17.12 (114) to 8.5 (53).   

The Roadrunners had their first win in five years against the Magpies in round 3, but a repeat was not to be.