CAROLINE Springs endured a dog of a day, failing in its quest to make it three consecutive wins for the first time in its short history in the Western Region Football League division 2 on Saturday.
The Lakers have been one of the improving sides this season, and while most penned their opponents Wyndhamvale as favourites heading into the game at Town Centre Oval, few tipped the margin to blow out to a big 79 points.
Lakers football manager Peter Howarth told the Weekly it was a harsh reality check for his club about how much further it needs to improve to be competitive against the top sides in the competition.
“We won two in a row last week for the first time,” he said.
‘Three in a row was a step too far.
“We’ve still got a lot of work to do.
“We’re still learning.”
Right now, the Lakers’ depth is one of the key factors holding them back.
The bottom third of their list is not as strong as the title-contending teams and that is understandable considering the short time they have had to build a senior list.
It makes it all the more important to keep quality personnel fit and healthy.
When reigning club champion and chief ball winner Danny Ingram went down with a quadricep injury in the opening five minutes, the Lakers were robbed of one of their clearance kings.
“He was a big loss,” Howarth said.
“He’s last year’s best-and-fairest and an
on-field leader.
“He’s very good inside and out.”
According to the Lakers internal statisticians, ruckman Marc Goddard won the hitouts 24 to 21.
The Lakers held their own at the stoppages, despite the absences of Ingram and captain David Cavanagh.
What killed them was their own sloppiness with the ball.
The Falcons also hurt them with their run and carry on the spread.
“Their use of the ball was much better than ours,” Howarth said.
“They hit their targets and run into space, whereas we held it up.”
The Lakers, just in their second season, are building for the future.
They got a glimpse with impressive performances from teenagers Chris Bestall and Matthew Rizzo, who were not afraid to mix it with the bigger senior bodies.
First-gamer Jonathon Orifici was best for the Lakers on the wing, showing his blistering foot speed and sound disposal, particularly when the game was up for grabs in the first half.
“He came to us at the start of the year just looking for a game,” Howarth said.
“He won his way up to the seniors on a basis of good performances [with the reserves].”
Dean Galea and Matthew Smith were damaging with their disposal out of the defence for the Lakers.
In the end, they were powerless to stop the tidal wave of ball going into their last line and once the floodgates opened after quarter-time, they opened in a big way.
WRFL SCOREBOARD
Division 1
Altona 22.14 (146) d North Footscray 4.6 (30), Port Melbourne Colts 17.19 (121) d Albion 10.14 (74), Sunshine Heights 6.10 (46) lt Spotswood 28.15 (183), St Albans 21.5 (131) lt Hoppers Crossing 25.10 (160), Sunshine 18.11 (119) d Deer Park 16.6 (102).
Next round: Albion v Altona (JR Parsons Reserve), Deer Park v Port Melbourne Colts (John McLeod Oval), Hoppers Crossing v Sunshine (Hogans Road Reserve), North Footscray v Sunshine Heights (Hansen Reserve), Spotswood v St Albans (McLean Reserve).
Division 2
Albanvale 17.13 (115) d West Footscray 10.10 (70), Caroline Springs 6.8 (44) lt Wyndhamvale 18.15 (123), Glenorden 13.5 (83) lt Parkside 16.22 (118), North Sunshine 3.2 (20) lt Braybrook 31.26 (212), Yarraville-Seddon 26.12 (168) d Coburg Districts 8.7 (55).
Next round: Braybrook v Albanvale (Pennell Reserve), Coburg Districts v Caroline Springs (Cole Reserve), Laverton v Parkside (Laverton Park), North Sunshine v Glenorden (Dempster Park), Wyndhamvale v West Footscray (Wyndhamvale Reserve).
