WRFL: Altona remember Dan Lunardi as Ethan Taylor and the Menadue brothers fire

An ‘inspiring’ coaching move and some brotherly love helped lift Altona to a massive round one win as it paid tribute to its assistant coach who died suddenly earlier this year.

Altona’s win to kick start the season may be as special as they come in 2022.

The Vikings 14.8 (92) to 4.8 (32) WRFL Division 1 opener against St Albans had it all as the club paid tribute to assistant coach Dan Lunardi who suddenly died in February.

After a tight tussle for the opening three quarters, Altona ran away with the contest with a 10-goal final term on the back of a strong breeze at Grant Reserve.

Vikings coach Corey McCall said he couldn’t have been prouder of the way his playing group had represented his “close mate”.

Looking down on the playing group, Mr Lunardi — who worked closely with the back line — would have had a massive smile on his face given the defensive efforts of the Vikings.

“Before the game we spoke about how we represented Dan and I think we went about it perfectly,” McCall said.

“I think the breeze was about a three or four-goal advantage and we were able to come away with a big finish which came off the back of a strong third quarter where we held St Albans to just a couple of scoring shots.

“We weren’t playing the way we wanted to in the first half so when we released the shackles in the last quarter, the game really opened up for us.”

There were plenty of reasons for Altona to be happy. Picture: Local Legends Photography

Ethan Taylor was the “spark” the Vikings needed after halftime according to McCall.

After failing to get significant impact from their wingers in the first two quarters, Taylor lifted his side with a goal against the wind.

“He had all the characteristics we were after and told the boys we wanted to see,” he said.

“He worked hard defensively and was able to get on the scoreboard as well which was really pleasing.

“I thought it was an inspiring second half of footy from him in particular after a consistent game.”

The Menadue brothers, Connor and Joel, enjoyed strong displays in the pair’s first senior game together as Joel finished with six majors.

Meanwhile, Connor finished with two goals as Elliot Cavallaro kicked three goals on his return from Goulburn Valley league club Shepparton United.

Josh Bench, Kyle Crooks and Jack Robinson were also among the Vikings’ better players.

“Joel looked very dangerous especially during the second half,” McCall said.

“He was able to make things happen for us inside 50. Then Connor produced some of his best footy when we moved him into the middle of the ground.”.

Connor Menadue played his first game for Altona. Pic: Michael Klein

For St Albans, Mathew Pickering, Jack Sims, Cooper Pepi, Jadyn Trowsdale, Zac Jimenez and Mason Dipetta were named the best players.

Altona will look to make it 2-0 when they face a huge test of its premiership credentials against Werribee Districts.

St Albans will look for its first win against Spotswood.

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