VERY few, if any, pundits would have predicted that an undermanned Fitzroy Stars would have beaten Division 2 ladder leader North Heidelberg a fortnight ago.
Without a number of injured stars, including Lionel Proctor and Djaran Whyman, it was hard to forecast how the Stars would contain the competition’s standout team.
However, playing with tremendous spirit, the Stars managed to defy the odds to claim a memorable three-point win at their home ground, Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval.
Reflecting back on where the win sits amongst other of the club’s major victories, Fitzroy Stars coach Travis Hodgson said it was one of the club’s finest efforts.
“We’ve had a couple of good wins in finals over the last couple of years, but as far as home and away wins go, Saturday’s win was one of the better ones,” he told NFL.org.au.
“The group will take significant confidence from the win.
“For most of the season we’ve played below our best and had a lot of injuries to key players. Saturday’s win shows us that if we bring the right mindset we can be competitive against anyone.”
The Stars have made Sir Douglass Nicholls Oval a fortress since returning to their spiritual home base midway through the 2013 season.
They have not lost a home game at the ground, with only a thrilling draw against the Bulldogs late last year preventing the club from having a perfect home record.
“Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval is a lot more than your average football club home ground,” Hodgson said.
“It’s a significant place for the community to come together and that means a lot to the boys.
“It usually ensures a really positive attitude and mindset amongst the group.”
After falling short in last year’s grand final against Whittlesea, the Stars have remained a genuine premiership threat in 2014.
However, things haven’t been completely rosy for the club throughout the season. With a mounting injury list, the Stars have often had to come from behind to win games.
The Round 13 win over North, where the club was without any injury rotations by early in the fourth quarter, showcased just how hard the group has worked this year.
“We are capable of scoring quickly, and we’ve had some players who have been able to stand up at crucial times late in games,” Hodgson said
“Like most things, once you’ve done something a few times you gain a fair bit of confidence and belief in doing it again.
“It’s great to know that they have that characteristic, however if we start relying on that, it will no doubt catch up with us. Most football games are set up and won early.
“Lalor have pushed us twice, Mernda, Diamond Creek and North (Heidelberg) have all beaten us and we only got over Panton Hill very late. Every game is a potential loss if you’re below your best.”
Sitting outright second with five home and away matches remaining, Hodgson said he was hopeful of welcoming back a number of key players as the Stars look to hold on to a double chance in the finals ahead of this week’s clash with Lalor.
“Our focus will be getting better week to week and moulding the group with potentially up to eight players to come into the side over the next month,” he said.
“We think if we can do that, then most results can go our way. Our focus has always been to be the best team at the end of the year.
“Djye Morgan, Patty Kelly Briggs and Kain Proctor have all made solid contributions for such young players. Their development is the upside of our horror run with injuries. It’s created opportunities they otherwise may not have got, and they have definitely taken their chances.
“North (Heidelberg) are still the team to beat, the conditions on Saturday didn’t suit their talls and they will be much harder to beat next time. We’ve got a lot of improvement in us but we will make sure we get all of it.”
