Altona has gatecrashed Deer Park’s flag unfurling party to inflict a stunning upset on the opening day of the Western Region Football League division 1 season.
The Vikings came back from 14 points down at three quarter-time to overrun the five-time defending champions by three points at John McLeod Oval on Saturday.
Vikings coach Saade Ghazi praised his side’s willingness to fight every step of the way when most would have written it off.
“To come back from that deficit when we didn’t have the scoring end [in the last quarter], it was a pretty good effort to win,” he said. “We had a longer pre-season than Deer Park with them starting off a bit later than us obviously with them playing finals, so the message was to just hang in there and it could turn.
“The boys were really good, they stuck at it and were obviously really good last quarter.”
The conditions made for a tough contested brand of football.
The arm wrestle appeared to be going Deer Park’s way as it kicked 1.5 to 0.3 in the third quarter to take the lead beyond two goals – a significant advantage in a low scoring game.
But Altona dug deep with a five-goal-to-two final term to pull off a win.
Altona unveiled its new-look forward line to good affect with Patrick Rose and Sean Tighe booting three goals apiece.
Mitch Turnbull, used at times as the focal point of the Vikings’ forward line in recent seasons, relished the chance to take on the third-best defender and finished with two goals of his own.
“This year we’ve got a lot more options,” Ghazi said. “It gives Mitch Turnbull and Elliot Cavallaro an opportunity to not get the first and second best defenders any more.
“It also gives us three or four different avenues to goal, whereas last year we were a little bit predictable.”
Mitch Norton, a VFL-listed player with Williamstown, was the best player for Altona on his return to his home club. The onballer used his speed and skill on the ball and on the wing to propel the Vikings forward.
Another VFL-listed player, Harrison Tanner, aligned to Richmond, was brilliant in the midfield. Tanner calls Altona home after moving into the area.
It was an impressive start for Altona, but it moves on with caution.
Awaiting the Vikings over the next fortnight is the home opener against Spotswood and trip to last year’s runners up Sunshine Kangaroos.
“We’ve got one tick so far, it was an important one, a great win for the footy club,” Ghazi said.
“That was very positive, but we start thinking about Spotswood pretty quick.”
Meanwhile, Spotswood began the season with a bang, thrashing Wyndhamvale to the tune of 77 points at McLean Reserve.
Spencer Davis topped off a best-on-ground performance for the Woodsmen with four goals.
