Fitzroy Stars and Whittlesea played out a thrilling draw in an enthralling encounter at Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval in Round 6.
In a rematch of the 2013 Division 2 Grand Final, the game lived up to expectations and produced yet another classic between the two sides.
Neither side was ever able to truly get a hold of the other throughout the entirety of the match and, fittingly, the two were tied on 62 points at full time.
The Stars had 10 more scoring shots than the Eagles in the 7.20 (62) to 9.8 (62) result, but the home side’s inability to convert in front of goal undoubtedly cost them the match.
The Eagles pounced often pounced the Stars’ misfortunes and were able to scrap out a tightly-fought draw – keeping them in fourth place on the Division 2 ladder at the Stars’ expense.
With both sides sitting in the middle reaches of the ladder and looking to keep in touch with the top three, both were desperate for their third win of the season.
Fitzroy got off to the better start with John Hayes kicking truly to give his side the head start.
But Whittlesea hit back as Matthew Atta nailed a set shot after pouncing on a poor defensive error. It sparked a run of attacking footy from the Eagles who produced another goal soon after as Riley Dyson found space and snapped accurately to give his side the lead.
Goal exchanges from Malcolm Dow for the Stars and Chris Horman for the Eagles saw out the first term, with the Eagle holding a five-point lead.
The scoreboard didn’t necessarily provide an accurate indication of the quarter. After that goal to Dyson, the Stars had all the possession but just couldn’t make it count on the scoreboard – where it mattered most.
Fitzroy continued its fast moving brand of footy at the start of the second term, but squandered early opportunities. The Eagles took full advantage and against the run of play drew first blood for the term through Nicholas Horman.
The next 10 minutes saw some contested end to end footy, with both sides creating chances but not finding a way to convert them into goals.
Fitzroy was finally able to get the breakthrough, hitting back through captain Djaran Whyman to reduce the margin to two points. Brenton Briffa responded for the Eagles soon after, before the Stars dominated the remainder of the term.
Despite their control of play, the home side only added one further goal to their tally, through John Hayes. A handful of behinds handed them only a two-point advantage at the main break despite having seven more scoring shots.
After just nine goals in the opening half, the third term looked like it would be a high scoring one when Briffa kicked his second goal of the match within a minute of the restart.
However it was until the dying stages of the quarter that another goal would be kicked, with Whyman slamming home a great running goal as the Stars snatched back the lead heading into the final term.
Riley Dyson got the Eagles off to the perfect start in the fourth term, kicking his second goal early in the piece to put his side ahead by a point.
Goals to Whyman and Dow saw the Stars hold a two-goal lead midway through the final term but the Eagles were able to peg them back through a brace of goals to Nicholas Horman – the second of which levelled proceedings.
With no further scores added thereafter both sides shared the spoils with the second draw in Division 2 for the season.
Coree Thorpe was best on ground for the Stars, marshalling his troops from the backline and holding the Eagles to only 17 shots on goal for the day.
He was well assisted by Peter Hood and Alex Isailovic, whilst Nathan Stefanile, Jordan Oremerod and Nicholas Horman, with three goals, led the way for the Eagles.
Both sides have now recorded two wins, two losses and a draw for the first five rounds. Fitzroy will take to the road in Round 6 to meet an in-form Diamond Creek whilst the Eagles host second-placed Lalor.
Final score: Fitzroy Stars 7.20 (62) drew with Whittlesea 9.8 (62)
