St Mary’s sit a game clear in the top five of the MC Labour Division 2 ladder after holding off a resurgent Thomastown to win by eight points at Main Street Reserve.
The Burra led by almost 40-points in the third quarter before the Bears stormed their way back to lead on two separate occasions in the final quarter. But St Mary’s were able to regain the advantage in the late stages of the match, outlasting the home side to prevail 15.10 (100) to 13.14 (92).
Jake Dambrauskas returned to the St Mary’s line up and was one of the best for the afternoon putting in an impressive display. Forwards Zane Costello, Nicholas Dean and Tane Cotter were also dangerous in the attacking half with the trio combining to register nine of the Burra’s 15 goals.
Daniel Chadwick, Josh Beare and Anthony Capeci were the shining lights in the Bears defeat, all three playing influential roles in turning the momentum during the final quarter. Beare in particular was dangerous, kicking four goals in the last stanza to almost single handedly get his side over the line.
The win keeps St Mary’s in the top five and gives them some breathing space from sixth placed Watsonia while Thomastown will spend a fourth consecutive week outside the top five and are in danger of falling further behind the leading pack.
After conceding the opening goal of the game, the Burra quickly wrestled back momentum to lead by two goals at quarter time.
A high scoring second quarter followed, with 11 majors scored between both sides. But it was the visitors who had control of the contest.
St Mary’s produced their most impressive stanza of the match, kicking 7.1, including five consecutive majors in the middle parts of the quarter, to lead by 36-points at the main break.
The Bears came out of the half time interval a different team, turning the tide of the match.
Thomastown registered 12 scoring shots to the Burra’s three and while the accuracy was poor, the momentum was well and truly with the Bears, Capeci and Chadwick were especially excellent.
The belief was rising from the Thomastown camp and trailing by just 12-points at three quarter time, the Bears skipper almost proved to be the match winner.
Beare was inspirational up forward, kicking four majors to give the home side the lead and sending the Thomastown faithful into a frenzy.
But trailing by a straight kick just past the midway point of the final term, the Burra were able to produce one last surge to spoil the party for the Bears.
Tane Cotter kicked an important major late in the quarter to level the scores before he marked and goaled from a difficult angle moments later to help his side secure their fifth win of the season.
