Sport
West Preston pushed hard by hungry Lalor
Laura Jolly
29Apr08
West Preston's Billy Morrison can't shake the close attention of Lalor's Ibrahim Atik.
Lalor came within a whisker of its second win in as many weeks on Saturday, falling an agonising eight points short of West Preston-Lakeside.
The Bloods led until the dying moments when they were overrun by West Preston, who won 14.11 (95) to 12.15 (87).
But coach Stephen Easton said after a horror start against Heidelberg in Round 1, Lalor was on the improve.
"We had plenty of chances to win but West Preston just overpowered us.
"We didn't do enough to close the game out," he said.
But Lalor's fitness was not a factor, according to Easton.
"Their tall options probably just over-powered ours.
"Our on-ball brigade and midfield were great all day, but in the end we were outgunned."
Lalor booted seven first-term goals to three but wasted chances in front of goal.
West Preston narrowed the gap to 22 points at half-time, before coming home fast in the final term to snatch an unlikely victory.
Damien Shepard and Joseph Kantilla led the goalkicking for Lalor with two each, while Andrew Carmusciano and Terence Upoko impressed in the midfield.
Easton said Lalor's aim early in the season was to establish itself in Division 1.
"After we were blown away in the first game it was good to come back and win by a few points last week.
"We only lost by a few points this week, so I'd say we'd win quite a few this year.
"At the moment we are still in the bottom pack on the ladder so we'll aim to get out of that."
But Lalor will have a huge fight on its hands on Saturday when it travels to Montmorency.
The Magpies remained undefeated ladder leaders after Round 3, thrashing a young Diamond Creek side by 115 points.
Bundoora was solid in its second win for the season, defeating Greensborough 17.12 (114) to 10.6 (66).
North Heidelberg defeated Eltham by the narrowest of margins, 12.15 (87) to 13.8 (86), but nearly paid the price for wasted chances in front of the big sticks.
Heidelberg got its season back on track after suffering its first loss since 2006 last week, proving it is still a Division 1 powerhouse with a 58-point win over Northcote Park.
