FITZROY STARS have outlasted a much improved Lalor outfit to win by 40 points at Lalor Reserve in Round 3.
The Stars raced to a big quarter-time lead, but a second quarter slump saw the Bloods get back into the game.
Fitzroy, through its midfield guns, was then able to pile on the goals in the second half to run away with a 17.13 (115) to 11.9 (75) result.
The Stars proved they still are a worthy title contender, beating the previously undefeated Bloods emphatically in their first near-complete performance of the 2014 season.
The only thing that would worry the Stars was that second quarter collapse, where they only kicked the one goal to Lalor’s four – a tally which could have been more.
But the second half was the telling story as they blew the game apart on the same ground they progressed to their first ever Grand Final last season, after a rampaging second semi final win.
The Bloods got the early jump, kicking the first two goals in quick succession through Spencer Christopher as they raced out to a 13-point early lead.
The Stars quickly responded with two of their own against the run of play. But the Bloods were able to reward their pressing attacking style of play with another goal through Richard O’Connell to extend the lead back out to seven points.
Fitzroy was able to finish the term strongly, kicking the final four goals to race away to a 20-point lead at the first break.
The Stars midfield was dominant throughout the term despite the Bloods having the better start, and that was the main difference between the two sides at the break.
The Bloods started the second term in the better fashion despite not being able to put it on the scoreboard.
It proved costly as the Stars punished them through Allan Murray, who got on the end of a great coast-to-coast play, slotting the goal whilst hugging the boundary line to put the Stars 25 points in front.
The Bloods though finished the quarter strongly, kicking the final four goals to reduce the half-time margin to a single point, which included Todd Hughes kicking three in a row.
A goal to Matthew Brocchi early in the third quarter gave the Bloods the lead for the first time since the opening quarter. However, they were unable to hold the lead for long.
A costly error saw the start of the Stars string of goals, kicking the next four goals to race out to a 20-point lead with five minutes remaining in the term.
Lalor was able to reply with a late goal but it still trailed at the final break by 16 points.
It was the Stars ability to win with plenty of clearances that got them back into the game. A late Lalor fightback in the final part of the term wasn’t enough to hurt the scoreboard.
The Stars then kicked the first four goals of the final term to race out to a 36-point lead midway through the final term to have the game sewn up. Some goal exchanges saw out the final minutes as the Stars went on to their second win of the year.
The Stars were led by Malcolm Dow, Damien Walker, the Brown brothers and Allan Murray up forward. The Bloods best were Tom Bonson, Jarrod King and Jarrod Parry.
The Stars next take on recently-promoted Panton Hill at Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval. The Bloods will look to rebound as they take on second-placed Mernda at home.
Final score: Lalor 11.9 (75) def by Fitzroy Stars 17.13 (115)
