Thomastown confirmed itself as a genuine contender in the MC Labour Division 2 premiership race, with an 11-point win over Eltham at Main Street Recreation Reserve.
The 11.7 (73) to 8.14 (62) triumph now has Thomastown sitting in first spot on the ladder, with two Round 1 wins to start the 2021 season.
Both sides entered the match with good momentum after big victories in their Good Friday season openers, but with Thomastown losing star midfielder Matthew Vasilevski to a hamstring injury, the Panthers entered as slight favourite.
However, the Bears were able to cover the loss of their captain and record their best win under new coach Mario Bandera.
Anthony Capeci was the star of the show for Thomastown with five majors, including some classy snaps.
Tyrone Leonardis won a lot of the ball through the middle for the Bears, with his explosiveness a highlight of his game.
Tyla Barrow, Adrian Natoli and Aaron D’Angelo were also influential in the win.
Despite his side’s defeat, Tom Cantwell had a great game for Eltham in the ruck. Cantwell dominated the hitouts while winning plenty of the footy too.
Co-captains Brent Macaffer and Anton Woods tried their best through the midfield for Eltham all day.
New recruit Jackson Weatherald was also among Eltham’s best players due to his regular run and carry off half back.
Eltham got off to a good start with Daniel Jarvis kicking the opening goal of the match.
The Panthers dominated possession for the first quarter of the match but for the second-consecutive match were unable to convert their chances in front of goal early.
As such, they went into quarter time with only a five-point lead after kicking 3.5 (23) to 3.0 (18).
The second quarter saw Eltham continue to fail to make the most of its chances going inside 50 and Thomastown made the Panthers pay for their mistakes, with quick ball use through the middle of the ground helping the home side take a 20-point lead into half time.
Eltham came out hungry in the third quarter, kicking the first two goals to get back within seven points, but Thomastown quickly turned the tide due to its centre clearance dominance.
Brayden Plant, Aaron D’Angelo and Ben Nesci kicked the final three goals of the third quarter, helping the Bears take a 24-point lead into the final change, with the game in their control.
Eltham came out hot to start the final term, dominating the centre clearances. The Panthers kicked three goals in a row from Michael Still, Daniel Jarvis and Tim Currie to get back within four points.
But just as the Panthers looked like running over the top, Anthony Capeci was able to seal the win for Thomastown with a classy snap, letting off a huge roar from the Bears crowd.
Final score: Thomastown 11.7 (73) def Eltham 8.14 (62)
THOMASTOWN
Best Players: T. Barrow, A. Capeci, A. Natoli, A. D’Angelo, K. Slater, S. Ball
Goal Kickers: A. Capeci 5, B. Nesci 2, A. D’Angelo, B. Plant, K. Slater, T. Leonardis
ELTHAM
Best Players: T. Cantwell, A. Woods, B. Macaffer, J. Weatherald, M. Keys, T. Currie
Goal Kickers: D. Jarvis 2, A. Woods, M. O’Regan, M. Still, A. Bellchambers, J. Weatherald, T. Currie
