Northern Football League

West Preston have registered one of their biggest wins of the 2009 season with a last quarter comeback to knock off Eltham by 21 points at Panther Place in Round 8 of the NFL Division 1 season. The win gives them a sniff of a revival to their season after putting themselves within 2 games of the Top 4, whereas the Panthers need to find another win soon, as they linger above the drop zone.

The Roosters came to play early, with Jake Williams dominating in the centre, and he played a hand in Glenn Robertson's first major for the game. Billy Micevski soon added another for the visitors before Josh Lorey opened the Panthers' account. Eltham were outplayed all around the ground in the first stanza, unable to cope with the quick ball movement of West Preston, and went into the first break 19 points down.

Eltham coach, Craig Hayes, was disappointed with the opening quarter, labelling it as the worst opening to a game from his side all season. The simple message was that accountability continues after the first bounce.

With young guns Gavan Connelly and West Preston's Williams going head to head, the Panthers definitely weren't going to slide away. Little 'spotfires' started all around the ground during the quarter showing the desperation from both sides to get the four points. The Panthers restricted the Roosters' inside 50's and could've had a lot more goals on the board if it wasn't for the defensive discipline from the visitors. At the long break, Eltham were a measly four points down.

The game opened up a lot more in the second half, but it went all the way of Eltham. It took up to the 16th minute mark for the first major to be scored, by Eltham's Stefan Courtot. Another goal from Ryan Hocking steadied the ship, and gave the Panthers the lead. They could've been further in front if they were more accurate, but held only a six point lead at the last change, thanks to a late goal from West Preston's Damien Smith.

West Preston coach, Vin Datoli, urged his side to replicate their form from the first quarter, especially his side's physical presence around the contest.

His call appeared as if it had fallen upon deaf ears in the last quarter, with Courtot getting his side's first major within the opening stages. From there though, it was the Billy Morrison show, a five goal haul - including two massive goals from outside 50 - paving the way for a desperate win favour of the Roosters.

Final scores - Eltham 9.18 (72) to West Preston 13.15 (93)

Courtot was the leading goal kicker for the hosts with three majors, and was his side's best in a tough loss for the club. Morrison's five goal haul ensured he was the leading goal kicker, with Stephen Gosling and Jake Williams leading the way for West Preston.

This week West Preston head over to Montmorency to see whether they have made any progress, whereas Thomastown is the destination for Eltham, a crucial game to ensure that the Panthers stay in Division 1 for another year.