THOMASTOWN kept its undefeated start to the season going, outlasting South Morang in a 44-point result in Round 9.
After trailing for much of the first half, the Bears used a six-goal to nil last term to romp to the 14.12 (96) 7.10 (52) win at Mill Park Lakes Reserve – their eighth successive victory to start the 2014 season.
Competition leading goal kicker Jacob Osei-Duro and Michael Di Battista starred up forward for the Bears, kicking six and four goals respectively.
For the Lions, Ashley Hobbs was the only multiple goal scorer, slotting three goals to bring his total to 25 for the season. He sits second on the Division 3 goal kicking chart, some 18 goals behind Osei-Duro.
The rain started to pour down immediately as the game began, and it understandably affected the kicking efficiency of both sides.
South Morang was able to hold the ball in its attacking half for the majority of the first quarter, but was only able to kick a wasteful 4.6 to take a 13-point lead into quarter time. The opening term included two goals to Hobbs.
It was much of the same in the second term and when the Lions goaled through Mitchell Buckley and Hobbs, it looked as if it had built a strong lead to potentially hand Thomastown its first loss of the season – especially due to the heavy conditions.
But late goals to Dylan Fuller and Osei-Duro’s third brought the buffer back to just eight points at the main break.
The second half was a much different story to the first.
The Bears came out firing to kick the opening three goals of the third term to take the lead for the first time since the opening quarter.
Similar to South Morang in the first term, inaccuracy was costly for the Bears as they looked to extend their lead, but could only muster an inaccurate 3.5 for the quarter.
A goal to Lion Jake Potter from a free kick late in the term brought Thomastown’s lead back to seven points at the final change.
With the game in the balance, the class of Thomastown showed in the final quarter.
With its defence standing up, attacking suddenly became a lot easier for the Bears as they kicked six goals, whilst restricting the Lions to just a single behind to run away with the game.
Daniel Chadwick was superb down back for the Bears in his first game in the senior team this season, claiming best on ground honours. Jason Abela and David Folino also had outstanding matches.
For the Lions, Nathan Moro was a standout off the wing and half back. Mitchell Hicks was also excellent in just his second senior game.
This week Thomastown will take on Reservoir at Main Street Reserve in a top of the table clash. The Bears proved far too good for the Mustangs when the sides first met at Crispe Park in Round 3.
Meanwhile, South Morang will face Heidelberg West as it looks to cement its spot in the top four of the ladder. A loss to the fifth-placed Hawks would cut South Morang’s buffer in fourth spot to just percentage.
Final score: South Morang 7.10 (52) def by Thomastown 14.12 (96)
