Eight goals from Michael Spooner proved the difference in St Albans’ 22-point win over Sunshine in division 1 of the Western Region Football League on Saturday.
Spooner dominated the forward 50 and proved a constant headache for the Kangaroos’ defenders in the 14.13 (97) to 10.15 (75) win.
PICTURE GALLERY | St Albans v Sunshine
St Albans coach Marcus Barclay was rapt with the performance of his star forward.
“Michael has been a St Albans player all his life and he came back to the club at the halfway mark of the season,” Barclay said.
“He fitted straight in because he grew up with all the players so it didn’t take him long to learn the way we play. We needed him to step up, especially at this time of year, so his performance was really pleasing.”
Despite trailing by six goals at half time, Sunshine showed some of the form that had many WRFL fans tipping them to be a finals team this season.
The Kangaroos booted six goals in the third term to close the gap to just 12 points before St Albans regained control.
“We tried to put a few of our young guys in the dangerous positions to get them up to speed with division 1 footy [in the third quarter],” Barclay said.
“It took them about 10 or 15 minutes to click into gear and by that stage, to Sunshine’s credit, they had kicked a few goals.
“We went back to what we know and had a good last quarter.”
With two rounds left before finals, the Saints are fourth on the ladder and could move to third if results fall their way.
Sunshine is seventh with a 5-11 record.
In other weekend results, Werribee Districts got the better of Albion 20.20 (140) to 6.9 (45) to keep the Tigers outright second.
