WEST Preston-Lakeside scored its first win of the season with a 76-point thumping of Lower Plenty on Saturday.
The Roosters, coming off a Round 1 draw to Northcote Park, were sublime after quarter-time, kicking 13 goals to two.
Lower Plenty had control of the game in the first quarter but inaccuracy cost it a quarter-time lead, with the Bears trailing 3.5 (23) to 5.0 (30).
The game broke open during the second term, with the Roosters stretching the margin to 26 points by half-time.
West Preston-Lakeside coach Frank Raso said going man-on-man helped the Roosters take control.
“They came out pretty hard and had a lot of players behind the ball,” Raso said.
“Once we nullified their loose men in defence, the game opened up. We let them play their chipping game too easy, but the game broke open after half-time.”
The Roosters kicked six unanswered goals in the third quarter to lead by 62-points at the final break, and they eventually ran out 76-point victors.
Raso said the team’s young brigade stood up again. “We had seven under-19s kids, most of them have done two preseasons now, but six are in my best 22,” he said.
“They’re starting to get to know the game plan.
“Belbasis is a 19-year-old and he ran with Vasilevski. Bonnadio is another 19-year-old and he got a heavy tag. These two are just kids playing good footy.”
Luke Lirosi was also a standout in his second game for the club since transferring from Epping.
“He gives 110 per cent, he spreads well, wins the hard, contested footy,” Raso said.
“He got high-20s in disposals, eight to 10 tackles. He’s a good pick-up for us.”
There was a positive feel around the club during the week, despite sharing the points with Northcote Park in Round 1.
Raso said it was his job to keep the team level-headed.
“I really wanted to make sure we didn’t get ahead of ourselves,” he said.
“Playing a team most picked to win the grand final (in Northcote Park), and I thought we reacted really well. We know we’ve improved.”
The Roosters host Greensborough after the Easter break, while Lower Plenty travels to Bundoora.
This article is courtesy of Leader Newspaper.
