West Preston-Lakeside took another step forward in its three-peat quest, moving two wins clear atop the Meadows Greyhounds Division 1 ladder with a 54-point win over Montmorency.
The two-time reigning premiers were challenged early but broke the shackles after quarter time to romp to a 13.13 (91) to 5.7 (37) win at J.E. Moore Park, bringing an end to the Magpies’ three-game winning streak.
The Roosters improved their record to 8-1 on the back of a seventh-successive victory and now sit two games and percentage clear atop the ladder – ahead of Heidelberg, Bundoora, Greensborough and North Heidelberg, who all boast 6-3 records.
Michael Ercolano and Luke Lirosi led the engine room and were key contributors to the victory, while Jackson Clarke won his battle against Patrick Fitzgerald – often backing his judgement to run off the star Magpies forward to begin chains of attack from defence.
Matthew Harman’s fine season continued with another strong performance in the ruck, while Jaylon Thorpe and Ahmed Saad kept the scoreboard ticking over with four goals apiece.
Thorpe was at his best during the second term when the Roosters busted the game wide open, stretching a two-point lead at quarter time to 29 points at the main break.
He kicked one of his side’s four goals during the quarter and had a hand in several others, while also hauling in two marks for the highlights reel – one a high-flying effort at half back and the other a courageous mark running back with the flight, which set up his goal.
Despite falling to its heaviest loss of the season, Montmorency’s best players came from the back half of the ground.
Jai Robinson won a heap of possession across half back, while Michael Fitz-Gerald was impressive in an absorbing battle with Ahmed Saad.
Fitz-Gerald was an anchor on the last line of defence and won many important one-on-one battles against the superstar forward. Saad still managed to kick three majors to three-quarter time, before Fitz-Gerald was released further up the field in the last term.
Stefan Uzelac also toiled hard for Montmorency and finished with two majors. He was one of only two goal kickers for the Magpies, with Patrick Fitzgerald booting the other three.
Montmorency had looked up to the task earlier in the contest, booting the first major and keeping the Roosters goalless for the opening 16 minutes, before Alex Federico broke the deadlock.
West Preston-Lakeside made it two in a row when Jaylon Thorpe converted another shortly after, but the margin was cut to two points at the first break following a goal to Patrick Fitzgerald on the quarter time siren.
West Preston-Lakeside took a stranglehold on the game during a dominant second term, assuming complete control with four unanswered goals.
The Roosters contained the Magpies to just one behind for the quarter, with the visitors battling to create any meaningful forays forward throughout the term.
Montmorency returned from the half time break revitalised and closed the gap to 17 points following successive majors to Fitzgerald and Uzelac within eight minutes of the restart.
The Magpies continued to press for the next five minutes, before West Preston-Lakeside responded in true champion style.
The Roosters piled on five goals in less than 12 minutes to stretch their lead to 50 points, ensuring they had the game well and truly sealed by three quarter time.
Final score: West Preston-Lakeside 13.13 (91) def Montmorency 5.7 (37)
WEST PRESTON-LAKESIDE
Goal Kickers: A. Saad 4, J. Thorpe 4, D. Valeri, M. Ercolano, A. Federico, C. McCabe, L. Lirosi
Best Players: M. Ercolano, J. Clarke, M. Harman, L. Lirosi, E. Penrith, J. Barling
MONTMORENCY
Goal Kickers: P. Fitzgerald 3, S. Uzelac 2
Best Players: J. Robinson, M. Fitz-Gerald, S. Uzelac, T. Rennie, C. Dalgleish, S. McCallum
