WRFL 2018: Spotswood defeats Werribee Districts in Division 1 elimination final

SPOTSWOOD will contest a cutthroat Western Region Football League Division 1 semi-final this weekend after toppling Werribee Districts in Sunday’s elimination final.

SPOTSWOOD will contest a cutthroat Western Region Football League Division 1 semi-final this weekend after toppling Werribee Districts in Sunday’s elimination final.

The Woodsmen prevailed by 23 points, 16.8 (104) to 11.15 (81), at Werribee’s Avalon Airport Oval.

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The results sets up a clash against Hoppers Crossing — an opponent Spotswood has not beaten since Round 4, 2015.

The Warriors have won the two clashes between the pair this year by 35 points and nine points.

“Last year they had some talls up in their forward line,” Spotswood coach Anthony Eames said of Hoppers.

“They don’t seem to have that this year, but they seem to have that run and spread and they’re going a little bit better in that area probably than they were even last year.

“They’re going to be a very, very formidable opponent.

“They seem to have the wood over us, but we’ll need to be potentially even better than we were last week to get across the line this week.”

Murray Boyd starred in Spotswood’s victory. Picture: Local Legends Photography

The Woodsmen advanced after its accuracy in front of goal proved decisive against the wasteful Tigers.

Just eight points separated the sides at three-quarter-time before the Woodsmen kicked 7.0 in the last term to seal victory.

“We got a couple of lucky breaks and we capitalised,” Eames said.

“They had a few shots on goal they didn’t capitalise on, particularly in the first half, so that kept us in it at halftime.

“The third quarter was again a tight tussle and then a couple of things went our way in the last quarter.

“The positive is you’ve got to take those chances in finals and make them pay. I think we did that quite well.

“We put the pressure on realistically for three quarters. I thought our second quarter was pretty ordinary. We’re still looking for a four-quarter performance if we can find it.

“But the boys are up and about and there’s another big test against Hoppers.”

Spotswood’s prime movers shone in the victory, with Murray Boyd, Tom Langlands and David Iaccarino named in the best.

Jordan Boyd contributed three majors, while five players kicked two apiece.

Deer Park knocked off Hoppers by eight goals on Saturday, 13.7 (85) to 5.7 (37), and will meet minor premier Altona in the qualifying final.