By Liam Twomey
St Albans crashed out of the Western Region Football League division 1 finals on Sunday, going down to Hoppers Crossing by 50 points in a major upset.
While only one position separated the two sides on the ladder, there was a clear gap, pre-finals, between the fourth-placed Saints and fifth-placed Warriors.
St Albans won by a combined total of
153 points when the two sides met in rounds five and 14.
But that meant nothing at Werribee’s Chirnside Park on Sunday as Hoppers Crossing dominated the elimination final.
The Warriors reeled in a five-point quarter-time deficit with an eight-goal
second term.
As if the Saints’ fans thought the match couldn’t get any worse, it soon did when Hoppers Crossing began to take control at the defensive end.
The Warriors didn’t concede a goal in
the third term and booted three of their
own to set up a 17.13 (115) to 9.11 (65)
victory.
Guy Chisnall worked hard for St Albans and was named his side’s best player, while forward Michael Spooner booted three goals. But the work was left to too few for the
Saints.
It was the opposite for Hoppers Crossing, which was led by the outstanding Wayde Skipper, Mohamad El Hawli, John Robinson and Brydon Coles.
While the Saints’ season is over, Hoppers Crossing progresses to a blockbuster clash with Werribee Districts, with a spot in the preliminary final on the line.
That match will be played on Sunday.
