Sunshine’s finals hopes took a hit on Saturday when the Kangaroos lost to Hoppers Crossing by 46 points in the Western Region Football League.
Despite being one of the form sides of the competition in recent weeks, the Kangaroos were well beaten by a quality opponent.
Hoppers Crossing recovered from a one-point quarter-time deficit to storm home, kicking 12 goals across the next three quarters.
But it wasn’t just at the attacking end that the Warriors did their best work.
Hoppers Crossing also managed to apply the pressure on the Sunshine forwards, keeping the Kangaroos goalless in the second term and conceding only one goal in the final quarter.
The 16.16 (112) – 9.12 (66) win is Hoppers Crossing’s 10th of the season and lifts the Warriors to third on the division 1 ladder.
Sunshine will now need to win its final two games of the home-and-away season to secure a berth in the finals.
The Kangaroos trail fifth-placed Altona by six points, but with the Vikings having a bye this week that margin cannot be extended.
Sunshine will need to beat Spotswood this week and then Altona in the final home-and -away match.
OTHER RESULTS
Elsewhere at the weekend, Deer Park got the better of St Albans by 33 points, 15.17 (107) – 11.8 (74).
The Lions were led by Corey Brown, named best on ground, while Kwame McHarg booted four goals.
In division 2, Caroline Springs was no match for Wyndhamvale , succumbing by 48 points, while Sunshine Heights was beaten 36.21 (237) – 6.4 (40) by West Footscray.
