West Preston-Lakeside continued its march up the Meadows Greyhounds Division 1 ladder with a 19-point win over Hurstbridge at Ben Frilay Oval.
The Roosters led at the end of each quarter to claim a third-successive win in the 11.15 (81) to 9.8 (62) result.
After dropping the opening six games of their premiership defence, the Roosters have now closed within four points of the top-five. A trip to Bill Lawry Oval awaits next week to take on out-of-form Northcote Park, who currently sits in fifth place.
Matthew Signorello was outstanding in the middle of the ground and played a major role in his side’s win. Signorello found the ball both in tight and in space and capped his day with two majors.
He had strong support from Mitch Tobin, Luke Lirosi and Alex Federico in the midfield, while Jackson Clarke was used in defence and the ruck and was a key contributor. He finished with two goals and was a constant threat in the air.
Mitch Hymus was a standout in defence for Hurstbridge and kept Ahmed Saad goalless in a riveting battle. Hymus won many important one-on-one battles deep in defence, although Saad did boot four behinds.
Cooper Perrin continued his strong form and finished with a game-high four goals to take his tally for the season to 16. Troy Barbero also performed well, while Jamie Smith dominated the hitout count.
The Bridges were brave in defeat after being left to one player on the bench from midway through the third quarter.
Cameron Cloke’s day ended in the first term when he landed awkwardly in a marking contest. Callum Cook and Mitchell Dale were also sidelined over the next two quarters – limiting their side’s rotations in a bruising battle.
West Preston-Lakeside also suffered a significant blow late in the day, with Liam McVeigh sustaining a knee injury in the final term. McVeigh limped from the field and didn’t return.
The Roosters got off to a solid start and raced to a 15-point lead midway through the opening term following early goals to Ozgur Uysal and Matthew Vincitorio.
Hurstbridge was on the back foot, with the task made harder when Cloke was forced from the field. However, the Bridges steadied with a goal to Daniel Keenan and then closed within four points when Perrin booted his first minutes later.
Mitch Tobin capped a great quarter with a goal on the run to restore a 10-point advantage for the visitors. Playing on the wing, Tobin found plenty of the footy in the term and kicked his goal on the run from long range.
A goal from deep in the forward pocket to Jack Donnelly helped the home side move within a goal at quarter time and the Bridges took the lead early in the second term when Perrin kicked his second.
The second quarter was hotly-contested with a host of downfield free kicks and 50m penalties paid – which included a goal being kicked by Liam McVeigh after consecutive free kicks against Hurstbridge.
Matt Gersh quickly replied to snatch back the lead for the home side approaching time-on, but it was the visitors who finished the quarter better in what proved to be a decisive 10-minute period.
Two goals to Signorello, either side of a major to Isaac Constantinidis, helped the Roosters open a 15-point advantage at the main break.
Down to two fit men on the bench, Hurstbridge needed a big third term to give itself a chance of a third-straight win and the Bridges started well, with Bailey Jordan kicking a goal in the opening minute of the term.
However, West Preston-Lakeside was quick to return to the form it displayed late in the second term and successive goals to Clarke and Lirosi stretched the lead to a game-high 20 points at the 10-minute mark.
Hurstbridge threatened to make several comebacks thereafter, but West Preston-Lakeside was able to respond each time the Bridges managed to kick a major.
Both sides enter the second half of the year with a 3-6 record, however both are very much in the finals hunt in what is proving another even season.
Final score: Hurstbridge 9.8 (62) def by West Preston-Lakeside 11.15 (81)
