The Fitzroy Stars have cemented their spot inside the top three on the Division 2 ladder with a come-from-behind win over Lalor on Saturday afternoon.
The Stars kicked eight goals to three in the final term as they ran over the Bloods to take a 19.13 (127) to 16.19 (115) win at Lalor Reserve in Round 8.
Djaran Whyman starred up forward in his first game for the Stars, kicking six goals, including four in the final term. John Hayes also chimed in with five of his own to take his total to 23 for the season.
For the Bloods, Todd Hughes and Scott Morrison slotted four and three goals respectively on a day where they won plenty of respect, but ultimately missed a huge opportunity to move inside the top four at the Queen’s Birthday break.
Lalor came out of the blocks quickly and held the ball in its forward half for most of the first ten minutes. Despite dominating the territory, the home side wasn’t able to capitalise on its opportunities, kicking just one goal in that period through Hughes.
Fitzroy was then able to go down the other end and kick two of its own to take the lead for the only time in the first three quarters of the match.
The goals seemed to sting the Bloods who were able to kick four of the next five goals to take a 17-point lead into the first break.
The Stars came again at the start of the second term, kicking the first two goals through returning tall Jake McCauley and Hayes.
Lalor was able to stem the flow, but wasn’t able to hit the scoreboard itself despite dominating play. Finally, after four missed shots, Jarrod King was able to slot a running goal from just inside the 50 metre arc to give the home side reward for its dominance.
Both teams kicked inaccurately in the second quarter, with the Bloods kicking 3.9 and the Stars kicking 4.6 for the term.
The game became a shootout in the third term with both teams straightening up their kicking. The Bloods were able to keep the upper-hand and take a 19-point lead into the final quarter.
Whyman and the Stars then took over, kicking the first six goals of the fourth quarter unanswered to take the lead for the first time since the first quarter.
The Bloods were never able to wrestle momentum back from the Stars, who ran out 12-point winners. It was the third time this season the Stars have pinched victory in the final term, following tight home wins over Diamond Creek and Panton Hill earlier in the year.
Whyman was an easy choice for best on ground, with his four goals in the last quarter playing an instrumental part in the gutsy win.
For the Bloods Jarrod King played an exceptional match, predominantly across half-back.
Following the Queen’s Birthday break, the Stars face Panton Hill at Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval. Meanwhile, Lalor will look to get back on the winners list when it faces neighbour Epping in a fight for fourth spot on the ladder.
Final score: Lalor 16.19 (115) def by Fitzroy Stars 19.13 (127)
