ST Albans moved a game clear in fifth spot on the Western Region Football League division 1 table with a 35-point win over Yarraville Seddon on Saturday.
The 9.9 (63) to 4.4 (28) result, ground out in horrendous conditions at Kings Park Reserve, gives the Saints some breathing space after Hoppers Crossing went down by 18 to Sunshine.
PICTURE GALLERY: Sunshine Kangaroos v Hoppers Crossing
St Albans plays Sunshine and Altona over the next fortnight before closing the regular season against Albion and North Footscray.
The Warriors, St Albans’ only rival for fifth place, meet Altona, Albion, North Footscray and Deer Park.
Saints coach Ian Denny said the 35-point margin over the Eagles was emphatic given the conditions.
“That margin is probably about 90 points on a good day,” he said. “They were horrible conditions and not conducive to good footy. It rained all day and it was a slog.
“We struggled to shake them off but came away with the win in the end, which was important.”
Denny said his forwards proved the difference. Daniel McKerracher kicked three and Lachlan Baddeley two, and there were four individual goalkickers.
The Eagles’ four came through Marc Hussey (three) and Paul McMaster.
“It was one of those games where one goal was one goal but two goals were worth 10,” Denny said.
“Once we got a few in front we were comfortable we’d win.
‘‘We had some key forwards get into the game, whereas they struggled.”
St Albans led by only eight at half time and 11 points at three-quarter- time before a four-goal-to-zip final term. Denny said there are still eight to 10 players to return to the senior side.
Deer Park received a healthy percentage boost in its 12.15 (87) to 1.6 (12) win over struggling Albion.
The Lions kept the Cats goalless through the first three quarters, kicking five, two and three goals in respective quarters to lead by 70 at the final break.
Deer Park’s Kwame McHarg booted four to take his season tally to 52.
The win leaves Deer Park still two games clear on top, although second-placed Spotswood has a superior percentage, while the 11th loss of the season leaves Albion battling Yarraville Seddon to stay out of the bottom two.
The Lions meet North Footscray, Spotswood, Port Colts and Hoppers Crossing in the run home.
