LALOR did what no side in Division 2 has been able to achieve in 2015, defeating Thomastown in an epic at Lalor Reserve.
It was the Bloods’ second big win in succession after beating Fitzroy Stars a week prior, however this victory felt more notable after trailing by 39 points during the second term.
Having led for the opening three quarters it was Thomastown’s lack of ability to kick more goals with the wind in the third term which proved costly.
The Bloods trailed by only nine points at the three-quarter time break and took full advantage of the small deficit, using the wind to slam home five unanswered goals to commence the final term before going on to win 17.14 (116) 13.13 (91).
Thomastown hadn’t lost a game since Round 10 last season, in what was its only loss en route to the Division 3 premiership, and was gunning for a three-game lead atop the Division 2 ladder heading into the Queen’s Birthday weekend bye.
On a typically windy Saturday in Melbourne, the coin toss had great importance and the Bears took full advantage after kicking with a strong wind in the first quarter.
They kicked five unanswered goals in the first half of the first term to race out to a 34-point quarter-time lead.
Lalor then looked to be using the wind to its advantage at the start of the second term. The Bloods locked the ball in their forward half for the first five minutes of the quarter and created plenty of scoring opportunities, but just couldn’t capitalise.
Thomastown then goaled against the run of play to extend its lead out to a match-high 39 points.
Lalor captain Shannon Smith finally rewarded the Bloods’ forward efforts by getting his side’s first for the term, and his major was soon followed by another to Ben Curtiss as the momentum seemed to be shifting the home side’s way.
A number goal exchanges during the middle of the term meant Thomastown still held a 27-point advantage going into time on, but the Bloods ended the quarter strongly.
Steve Marshall’s side kicked four unanswered goals in a five-minute burst to end the half and trailed by only two points at the major break.
The wind was clearly playing a key role in the match, and Thomastown was looking to again use it to full effect when kicking with it in the third term.
However, the quarter turned out to be one to forget for the Bears as they managed only two goals to Lalor’s one to take just a nine-point advantage into the final change.
This would prove costly as Lalor kicked five unanswered goals to start the final term to open up a 25-point advantage midway through the quarter.
Two successive Thomastown goals through Tristain Harrower and Matthew Ferraro gave the Bears some hope of coming from behind to claim an eighth-straight win to start the season.
However, the Bloods closed out the game with the last two goals, including a major after the siren to Spencer Christopher to give them their most important win of the year and second place on the Division 2 ladder.
Leading the way for the Bloods was Jason Dowell, Jarrod King and Nick Mafilovski, who bagged four goals. The Bears’ best in defeat were James Mercuri, Steven Cadby and Lukas Fellows.
After a week’s break Lalor takes on winless Mernda at home in Round 9 as it looks to further entrench itself inside the top two. Thomastown will be looking to get back to winning ways when it travels to Panton Hill.
Final score: Lalor 17.14 (116) def Thomastown 13.13 (91)
