A goal-less final quarter saw Albion give up a three-quarter-time lead against Altona in the opening round of the Western Region Football League Division 1 on Saturday.
After starting slowly, the Cats took a 13-point lead into the last break at Grant Reserve and looked to be heading for a first-up win.
But they scored only two points in the final term while the Vikings had eight scoring shots and the home side ran out winners 13.12 (90) to 12.10 (82).
PICTURE GALLERY: Albion v Altona
Altona coach Josh Russo said it was a tough game which could have gone either way.
“Albion played really well and we were lucky to get away with a win,” he said.
“We got away with a good start and thought we were on top. Then they took control and we were chasing.
“We got back into the game in the final quarter and started doing what we were in the first quarter.”
Russo said the team’s defensive work, particularly in the first and fourth quarters, was what earned his side the win.
“We capitalised on our chances in the last term, defended really well and cut out their attacking side of the game.”
He said Luke Ryan, Daniel O’Leary and Ryan Green were among the Vikings’ best.
“For Albion, Kym Taylor was good for them, and their ruckman was really good until he got injured, which helped us out,” Russo said.
Others among the best for the Cats were Thomas Deutschbein and James Thompson. Five players scored two goals each.
In other Division 1 matches, winners were Deer Park, Sunshine, Spotswood and Werribee Districts.
Deer Park had an easy 15.13 (103) to 5.8 (38) win against St Albans in the opening match of the season on Friday night, with James Condos kicking five goals for the winners.
An eight-goal first term allowed Sunshine to record a 127-point win against Yarraville Seddon, 24.19 (163) to 5.6 (36). Former AFL player Patrick Wiggins kicked five.
In Division 2, Caroline Springs beat Laverton by 210 points, 36.19 (235) to 4.1 (25), with Shaun Buttigieg-Clarke kicking nine. Other winners were Parkside, West
Footscray, Sunshine Heights, Tarneit and Wyndham Vale.
