After kicking only two goals in the first half to trail by seven points, the Stars got their game going in the third and fourth quarters to claim an 8.16 (64) to 5.7 (37) win – their third triumph over the Bears for the season following two 11-goal wins earlier in the year.
Lionel Proctor, Keith Morgan and Jason Kanoa won plenty of contested ball throughout the afternoon and willed their side over the line through their sheer determination.
Patrick Davis handled the sloppy conditions better than any other forward on the ground and was the Stars only multiple goal kicker for the afternoon. He finished the game with three goals while five other Stars slotted singles.
Down the other end, Raafat Rachrache was the only other multiple goal scorer on the ground with two goals, while Daniel Lauretta, Joseph Abbas and Joshua Beare all kicked one in the losing effort.
Both teams came out hard after their respective reserves teams shared the points earlier in the day, drawing at 68 points apiece.
The conditions made it near on impossible to play with any run and carry, as both teams only managed one goal apiece going into the first break.
Thomastown had a chance to take a commanding lead into the main break but only managed to kick 2.5 after dominating the second quarter. Their inability to put the Stars to the sword would prove costly later in the afternoon.
After struggling to overcome Hurstbridge in the wet at Coburg City Oval just a month ago, the signs weren’t looking good for the Stars at the main break as they were failed to exert any of the outside pace and skill they have displayed for most of the season.
But the Stars’ supporters had their doubts extinguished almost immediately after half time as their side came back from the break with new-found vigour.
Fitzroy came out firing after the main break, kicking four goals to two in the third quarter to take a handy 11-point lead going into the final quarter.
The Stars’ attack on the football was noteworthy and their forwards were able to take their chances whenever they presented despite the heavy conditions.
They then played with great defensive pressure in the final term, holding the Bears scoreless whilst kicking two goals of their own to claim a hard-fought victory.
In the end it was merely a combination of the conditions and poor kicking at goal from the Stars that kept the margin to just 27 points, with the fourth-placed side a class above their opponent in the second half of the match.
Next week, Fitzroy will look to hand Epping its first loss of the season when it hosts the ladder-leader at Bill Lawry Oval. The Stars were sensational in their last start on the ground – claiming a thrilling five-point win over Diamond Creek.
Thomastown will look to cause an upset when it takes on the third-placed Demons who it lost to by 108 points back in Round 9.
Final score: Thomastown 5.7 (37) def by Fitzroy Stars 8.16 (64)
