Thomastown notched up its first win of the season in empathic fashion, cruising to a 94-point win over the Fitzroy Stars.
In a game played in perfect conditions at Main Street Recreation Reserve, the Bears outplayed the Stars to record a 25.20 (170) to 11.10 (76) win.
Matthew Ferraro ended the game with five majors, despite early jitters in front of goal, while Daniel Chadwick had a stellar game in midfield, accumulating plenty of disposals and kicking four goals.
For the Stars, Shawn Wilkey tried gamely while Aaryn Gibson was elusive around the ground and kicked two goals.
Coming off the back of a 94-point defeat to Diamond Creek in Round 1, the Stars hit the ground running, booting the first goal of the game within 15 seconds of the opening bounce.
The visitors were willing to take the game on and looked to play-on at every opportunity. The frenetic pace of the Stars early in the first quarter opened up their forward line and allowed Gibson to find space to kick his side’s second goal of the game.
Thomastown was ignited by some brilliance from Anthony Capeci. The mercurial forward snapped a goal on the boundary from 45m out, on his weaker left foot.
Following Capeci’s effort, the Bears gained the ascendency in the quarter by playing at the same frenetic pace as the Stars.
James Rizzolio kicked the Bears’ second goal, before Ferraro put Thomastown in front by slotting his first major of the game. It was third time lucky for Ferraro, who missed two easy shots on goal prior to his first major.
At quarter time, the Bears led by 11 points. Thomastown coach Ben Chapman urged his midfielders to improve, as they lost the centre clearances 6 to 1.
The second term began in the same fashion as the first, with the Fitzroy Stars booting the first two majors of the quarter.
Clinton Benjamin’s goal reduced the margin to one point, but just as it appeared the Stars were gaining the momentum, Rodney Carruthers kicked a steadying goal against the run of play for the Bears.
The Bears seemed to always pick the right option when going forward and this saw the lead drift past 40 points heading into half time.
After the break, the Bears again showed their finals credentials by kicking eight goals in the third term.
Daniel Chadwick was the star of the quarter, distributing the ball with quality and kicking three goals.
For all of their attacking prowess in the game, the Bears defence was equally impressive. Lucas Fellows generated run off half-back and Dylan Chapman took some strong pack marks, despite an injury scare early in the game.
With the game all but over, James Rizzolio addressed the players at three-quarter time and implored them to not take their foot off the pedal.
Rizzolio’s speech did the trick as the Bears kicked six goals to one in the final term. Nicholas Horman was the star of the quarter, kicking two goals and applying plenty of attacking pressure.
Thomastown will hope to carry on its good form when it takes on the high-flying Eltham in Round 3, while the Stars will need to improve dramatically if they are to upset unbeaten Lower Plenty, after consecutive 94-point defeats.
Final score: Thomastown 25.20 (170) def Fitzroy Stars 11.10 (76)
