Sunday Spotlight: Hoppers Crossing firm as Deer Park’s biggest threat, Eltham closes on a top-five finish, two No. 1 draft chances go head-to-head and more

THIS week’s Sunday Spotlight examines Hoppers Crossing’s big WRFL win, Eltham’s crucial NFL triumph and looks back at the battle between two possible No. 1 AFL draft picks.

WRFL footy: Hoppers Crossing V Spotswood. No15 Ryan Kitchen for Hoppers. Picture: David Smith

THE Sunday Spotlight returns to examine what proved to be moving day in several competitions, with a Western Region Football League side taking the number-one mantle behind Deer Park, Eltham firming for Northern Football League finals and two top draft hopefuls going head-to-head.

TAC CUP: NO. 1 DRAFT HOPES GO HEAD-TO-HEAD

Most who turned up to Shepley Oval on Saturday arrived with high hopes of a one-on-one dual between first-round AFL National Draft fancies Jacob Weitering and Josh Schache. But Dandenong’s midfield dominance forced Schache into the centre square to find the ball, while poor conditions also conspired against the touted aerial dual. Weitering did his draft chances no harm with 10 marks as the Stingrays won by 29 points.

WRFL: WARRIORS DEER PARK’S BIGGEST THREAT

Hoppers Crossing took the mantle as the Western Region Football League’s No. 1 contender behind Deer Park with a convincing win over Spotswood on Saturday. The Warriors were superior across the park, getting home by 53 points to lock away second spot on the Division 1 ladder. Spotswood sits a game further back in third, with Werribee Districts fourth. Hoppers Crossing will get a look at the reigning premier before finals, with the teams to meet in Round 18.

Eltham coach Mario Bandera. Picture: Stuart Milligan.

NFL: ELTHAM EEKS OUT VITAL WIN

A rushed behind proved the difference as Eltham scrambled to a season-shaping one-point win over Northern Football League rival Bundoora. The Panthers managed the decisive score in the dying minutes of the contest, winning 9.13 (67) to 9.12 (66). While the Division 1 top four appears secure, Eltham is a game clear of Bundoora and Lower Plenty in the race for fifth spot. Matthew Williamson was the Panthers’ best in the victory.

SFL: MORDIALLOC SPRINGS A SURPRISE

Mordialloc held on during a tense final quarter to upset Southern Football League Division 1 ladder leader Dingley by a point. The clubs could not be separated by more than a goal at any break, with last year’s Division 2 premier scraping over the line as the hosts booted a wayward 1.6 in the final quarter. The visitors closed to within a game of top spot after the 8.9 (57) to 7.14 (56) triumph.

Anthony Anastasio gets a kick away for Williamstown. Picture: Graham Denholm/AFL Media/Getty Images.

VFL: SEAGULLS SOAR TO THE TOP

Williamstown climbed to the summit of the VFL ladder with a 93-point win over Frankston at Burbank Oval on Saturday. The Seagulls have won six of their past seven fixtures to sit equal top with Box Hill, which accounted for North Ballarat. Dylan Conway slotted four goals for Williamstown in its 21.21 (147) to 6.4 (40) victory, while Adam Marcon continued his stellar form.