THOMASTOWN got itself back on the winners’ list with an important and hard-fought nine-point victory over Whittlesea at Main Street Reserve in Round 12.
After losing two games on the trot to fall off the top of the table, the Bears were able to regain their mojo and keep hold of second spot on the Division 2 ladder with a 11.16 (82) to 9.19 (73) win over the Eagles.
Whittlesea had its chances throughout and produced most of the attacking in the final term, but to no avail.
The visitors managed only a measly nine behinds for their efforts in the last quarter, while the Bears were able to boot two majors to hold on for their ninth win of the year.
Thomastown started the match better, kicking two goals within the first five minutes to have the local faithful on their feet early.
A couple of goal exchanges saw out the next 10 minutes, before Alex-Sean Ioannidis and Matthew Ferraro got themselves a goal each to give the Bears a commanding 17-point buffer following an entertaining first term.
The second term was not as free-flowing but Thomastown once again dominated general play.
However, the Bears had only 1.8 to show for their efforts in a wasteful quarter, as the Eagles were able to put through 2.3 to make it only a 16-point difference at the major break.
Thomastown’s second-quarter inaccuracy looked as though it would prove costly when Nicholas Horman and captain Andrew Fairchild dobbed early goals for the Eagles in the third quarter to cut the margin to just five points.
Tristain Harrower booted his second to reply for the Bears, with the goal momentarily halting the Eagles’ charge. That was before Fairchild goaled at the other end to again bring the margin back to five points.
With Whittlesea pressing hard, the pressure mounted on Thomastown’s defence. However, the Eagles missed some relatively easy opportunities.
This opened the door ever so slightly for the Bears, who responded with a goal against the run of play when Ioannidis booting his second of the day.
However, nearing the end of the third term, Janan Daniel was able to reward the visiting side’s relentless efforts in front of goal to slam one home for the Eagles.
Fairchild then took a strong contested grab and went on to nail his set shot to put his side in front for the first time in the match.
But Jacob Osei-Duro – in his return match following a knee injury – instantly replied just before the three-quarter time siren. His third for the match gave the Bears back the lead by two points heading into the final term.
The Eagles continued their momentum into the final term, but once again inaccurate kicking at goal plagued them.
Thomastown was able to capitalise fully at the other end, with goals to James Rizzolio and Daniel Chadwick giving the home side a two-goal buffer.
Whittlesea never stopped attacking, but only had a further five behinds to show for their efforts as the Bears walked away with a nine-point win.
Leading the way for Thomastown were Lukas Fellows, Rizzolio and Chadwick, whilst the Eagles best in defeat were Matt Dornauf, Fairchild and Jay Russell.
Thomastown now travels to Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval to tackle the fifth-placed Fitzroy Stars. Whittlesea will be favoured to bounce back when it takes on bottom-placed rival Mernda at the Whittlesea Showgrounds.
Final score: Thomastown 11.16 (82) def Whittlesea 9.19 (73)
