The Fitzroy Stars extended their winning streak to five with a 15-point triumph over Lower Plenty in Round 6.
After falling short in their Round 1 battle, the Stars got their revenge on the Bears, with a four-goal to two last quarter getting the hosts over the line in a 15.10 (100) to 13.7 (85) result at Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval.
Richard Bamblett, Malcolm Dow, Hedley Smith and Allan Norris were among the standouts for the Stars – all playing instrumental roles to ensure their side stayed within percentage of top-two sides Diamond Creek and North Heidelberg in A Plus Labour Solutions Division 2.
Darcy Barden added to his goal kicking tally with another six majors for Lower Plenty, while Ben Paterson and Tom Keys continued to keep the visitors in the contest for most of the match.
Not even the strong wind could prevent both sides from finding the goals in an entertaining first quarter.
Vaasili Tuifao continued the momentum that saw him kick six goals at Thomastown a week prior by kicking the first of the afternoon within a minute of the first bounce.
However, a spectacular mid-air goal from Matthew Duckworth and an impressive major from Mark Favrin put the Bears in front soon after.
A goal-for-goal contest followed but it was Barden who kicked three of the last four goals for the term to give Lower Plenty a 16-point lead at the quarter time break.
Fitzroy’s second quarter put the Bears on the back foot quickly. The home side kicked the first four goals of the term, led by two from Bamblett, to send out a strong message to the visitors’ midway through the term.
Lower Plenty took back the momentum late in the quarter thanks to Barden’s fourth goal for the afternoon and a handy brace from Ben Paterson, as their side cut its deficit to three points at the main break.
An interesting third quarter followed. Despite the scores drying up there was plenty of heat between both sides throughout the tight contest.
Rivva Karpany eventually got the scoreboard ticking again with a fantastic set shot from a difficult angle just as time on commenced.
However, it was Barden again who put his side right back in the contest with two goals, including one on the siren, to reduce the Bears’ deficit to just one point at three quarter time.
The last quarter was again goal-for-goal as the see-saw battle continued between two of the competition’s most exciting sides.
It was the Stars who were able to kick the last two majors of the game, thanks to John Hayes and Josh Wanganeen, to seal a memorable 15-point victory.
The Stars will hope to make it six wins in a row when they take on Diamond Creek at Coventry Oval in what looms as an enthralling Round 7 contest before the Queen’s Birthday break.
Having slipped two wins behind the top-three sides, Lower Plenty will be looking get back on the winners’ list and cement its place in the top-four when it takes on Watsonia at A. K. Lines Reserve.
Final score: Fitzroy Stars 15.10 (100) def Lower Plenty 13.7 (85)
