Hoppers Crossing Warriors smash the Albion Cats by 63 points in WRFL

Hoppers Crossing solidified a top-four spot with a 63-point win over Albion in WRFL, despite leading by more at half-time.

HOPPERS Crossing solidified a top-four spot with a thumping 63-point win over Albion in Western Region Football League Division 1 on Saturday.

It was a game of two halves for the Warriors — after leading by 12 goals at half-time, the home side failed to win the second half against the Cats.

Warriors coach Steve Kretiuk was disappointed his side failed to capitalise on a huge half-time lead.

“It wasn’t a four-quarter performance,” Kretiuk said.

“We certainly set up the win in the first half, (but) there are a few things we need to work on.”

The Warriors led by 15 points at the first term, but 10 goals to one in the second quarter extended the margin beyond 70 points.

It was the type of football Kretiuk expects from his chargers.

“We were really pleased with holding them to one goal (in the first half),” he said.

“They’ve got some really good players that can impact on the scoreboard.”

But the Cats clawed back the momentum in the second half, keeping the margin to 75 points at three-quarter-time, before kicking 3.9 to 2.3 in the final term.

Kretiuk said his side lacked output in the second half of the 18.12 (120) to 7.15 (57) victory.

“We were certainly beaten all over the ground in the second half,” he said.

“Some players we put in the midfield didn’t step up to the plate. In the second half, we had some guys trying to get onto the gravy train.”

But the former Western Bulldogs player is pleased with his side’s start to the season.

“If you told us before Round 1 (that we’d be top four), we wouldn’t have picked it,” he said.

“I said to the group afterwards, ‘We’ve raised the bar more than expected.’

“Now we need to raise the bar a bit more. We want to be in a position to play regular top four and push for a flag in the next few years.”

The Warriors can test their wares against third-placed Spotswood on Saturday.

“I’ve always said, we’re trying to create a culture like Spotswood have over the last 10 years,” Kretiuk said.

“They’re our benchmark for us. I regard them as the best in the last 10 years, consistently.

“There’s no expectation as far as us playing finals. To be honest, I don’t even look at the ladder. As long as we’re improving as a side, a win is a bonus.”

In other results, Werribee Districts smashed St Albans by 62 points. The Tigers booted a remarkable 14 unanswered goals to claim a big win. In Division 2, Glen Orden and Wydnham Vale both had convincing victories. Sanctuary Lakes, Manor Lakes and Laverton all had losses.