WRFL 2021: Altona keeps Spotswood goalless for first time in 74 years

WRFL rivals Altona and Spotswood locked horns on Saturday night, with the result sending shockwaves through the competition.

Altona skipper Steve Kennedy was one of his team’s best. Picture: Local Legends Photography

The most successful club in Western Region Football League history was kept goalless for the first time since 1947 on Saturday night.

Spotswood, which has claimed 15 Division 1 flags, slipped to 0-3 after it was outclassed by undefeated ladder-leader Altona away from home.

The clinical Vikings prevailed by 58 points, 8.15 (63) to 0.5 (5), in slippery conditions, with the result sending shockwaves through the competition.

While Altona entered the fixture as a warm favourite, the scoreline was barely believable given the Woodsmen were tipped to again be among the contenders in 2021.

“It was a bit surreal to be honest,” victorious Vikings coach Corey McCall

“We were expecting a particular way that Spotswood was going to approach the game. Some of it was what we expected and some of it wasn’t.

“With the backs, we just discussed holding our structure behind the ball, and they played it perfectly.

“On the flip side, I don’t think we took a lot of our chances going forward either. We played into Spotswood’s hands a bit going forward in my opinion.

“But to keep a Division 1 team goalless is not what you expect going into a game, that’s for sure.”

Spotswood was missing captain David Iaccarino and has faced a tough draw to start the campaign with night matches against Hoppers Crossing and Altona, while it also went down narrowly to seven-time reigning premier Deer Park.

David Iaccarino in action for Spotswood. Picture: Local Legends Photography

On the positive side, it has time to revive its season with games against Werribee Districts, Sunshine, Caroline Springs and Yarraville-Seddon in the next month.

In contrast, the Vikings are flying after convincing wins over Point Cook (83 points), Hoppers (47 points) and the Woodsmen.

They have also given seven players debuts through the opening three rounds, with Bailey Johnson and Luke Whatman the latest to play their first senior games.

Since Round 1, the flag fancy has made five changes each week, underlining its depth.

“We’ve given some great exposure to some of the youth, and they’re hungry to play Division 1 seniors as well,” McCall said.

“Especially on Saturday night in a big game, to have two debutants come in and play their roles, it’s really good for the future of the football club.

“Ultimately, we don’t want to be having five changes every week, but on the back of COVID, a lot of clubs are experiencing a lot of injuries and soft tissue injuries that are coming out of the game.

“Our approach has always been we were expecting something like this and guys were going to do injuries that they probably haven’t done in the past.

“We’ve taken a real cautious approach.”

Taylor Whitford, skipper Steve Kennedy and Sean Tighe were the standout performers for the victors.

Gun tall Jayden Post, Josh MacDonald, Ben Norton and Josh Rafferty were also absent.

Spotswood was well-served by star recruit Nick Graham, Sam Davis and James Hinds.

Altona will face Deer Park in Round 4 in a re-match of the memorable 2019 decider.