After a slow start the Roosters were able to take the lead in the second quarter and hold on for the rest of the day.
The game was played in wet, sloppy conditions at J.E Moore Park that led to plenty of stoppages and a highly contested brand of football.
The onset of heavy rain in the second quarter changed the game, paving the way for West Preston-Lakeside’s simpler game plan of quick long kicks. It was not as helpful for Greensborough whose forward line was unable to fire.
The first quarter began in relatively dry conditions and Greensborough was quickly behind the eight ball, losing key utility Alex Rintoul to an ankle injury in the opening minutes. While West Preston-Lakeside had the run of the play early, it was Greensborough who would come out on top trapping the Roosters in their backline for much of the first quarter.
In the second quarter the tables were turned as the rain started to fall. Ill-discipline led to West Preston-Lakeside’s first goal of the term and from there it was the Roosters that did the containing.
They won key clearances and Greensborough struggled to rebound, the wet conditions making it tough. West Preston-Lakeside kicked three goals to one to take a six-point lead into the half. The great quarter was only marred by the loss of Simon Prestigiacomo which left both teams one short on the bench.
In the second half the rain dried up but the conditions were still poor. The third quarter was close as the ball went from stoppage to stoppage and the inside midfielders from both teams were able to thrive.
Even though the quarter remained relatively even there were two key moments that put Greensborough behind. The first was West Preston-Lakeside’s first goal of the quarter which came from an undisciplined act by Greensborough. The second was Andrew Luzza’s goal on the siren which was crucial to the Roosters’ chances in the last quarter.
Lachlan McQuilken’s goal, the first of the quarter, brought Greensborough within two goals of the lead and the game looked set to go down to the wire.
However Greensborough was unable to convert its opportunities and a combination of poor kicking and valiant defending meant the lead never changed. In turn, West Preston-Lakeside was able to score on the counter attack, its cleaner disposal leading to a burst of three goals that put the game beyond doubt.
In a game that was centered on stoppages it was the midfielders that dominated. For West Preston-Lakeside Luke Cotchett and Pece Micevski led the way and both were at the bottom of the packs all day. Their clearance work was pivotal to the Roosters’ success.
Ash Bardon was also crucial. He was able to prevent some of Greensborough’s forward thrusts and create his own with clean disposal. Kris Bardon was another player whose clean disposal gave the Roosters the upper hand.
As for Greensborough it was Lachlan McQuilken who was the best at the stoppages. He was able to gather multiple clearances and hit the scoreboard to keep Greensborough in the game.
His job was made a little bit easier with the ruckwork of Joel McLellan. McLellan was one of the few big men to perform well in the wet conditions; he gave Greensborough first hands on the ball and was able to kick a goal himself.
Next week Greensborough returns home to face undefeated Bundoora while West Preston-Lakeside makes the long journey out to Whittlesea to try for its third win for the season.
Final score: West Preston Lakeside 13.11 (89) def Greensborough 9.13 (67)
