West Preston-Lakeside claims second straight NFL Division 1 win after overcoming Montmorency

Back-to-back wins has reigning premier West Preston-Lakeside building momentum after a horror start to the season and the Roosters have sent a warning to its NFL Division 1 rivals.

Luke Lirosi marks against Heidelberg.

Momentum is building at West Preston-Lakeside and finals are still on the agenda.

The reigning NFL Division 1 premier lost its opening six matches but has claimed back-to-back victories after disposing of Montmorency by 26 points on Saturday.

The Magpies put up a strong challenge, leading by 11 points at half-time, but a dominant second half powered the Roosters home at J.E Moore Park.

West Preston-Lakeside coach Rob Maiorana said his team was starting to rediscover its best form.

“The last three games, the Heidelberg game leading into our two wins, I felt we started to turn the corner,” he said.

West Preston-Lakeside coach Rob Maiorana. Picture: Josie Hayden

“That built into the Lower Plenty game and then to continue the momentum against Montmorency — who was knocking on the door of the top five — was a good result.

“If we can keep the momentum going and get three in a row on the board then we can stay in touch with the top five, and you never know.

“We have to (have finals ambitions). You take each week as it comes, but while it’s mathematically possible.

“We have to keep winning but we think we’re good enough to at least challenge teams in there and if we don’t make it we’ll certainly make it hard for the teams around us.”

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Jackson Clarke’s shutdown job on Montmorency goal machine Patrick Fitzgerald was crucial to victory.

“He was awesome. Obviously Fitzy is probably the most dangerous forward in the competition, so to hold him to a single goal — and that was quite late in the game as well — was good and he also gave us a bit of offence as well,” Maiorana said.

Ozgur Uysal impressed through midfield and up forward with two goals, while Ahmed Saad continued his goalkicking form with six majors.

Montmorency jumped to an early lead thanks to its metronomic accuracy in front of goal, kicking nine goals straight to half-time.

Ahmed Saad in action for West Preston.

However, the Roosters took control in the second half, booting eight goals to two.

“There were a few shakes of the head and we couldn’t buy a goal for a while,” Maiorana said.

“Our conversion was poor and the ball was going down the other end and they were making every angle a goal, which was keeping them in the game.

“I thought we had control of the game but on the scoreboard it was neck-and-neck right up to three-quarter-time.”

West Preston-Lakeside will look for three wins on the trot when it travels to an improved Hurstbridge on Saturday, with the Bridges coming off an impressive win over Bundoora.

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