The Fitzroy Stars sent another strong message to the Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 competition after a come from behind 23-point victory over Epping at Epping Recreation Reserve.
The Stars erased a significant 25-point quarter time deficit and then pulled away in the final term to prevail with a 15.8 (98) to 11.9 (75) result. The victory strengthens their grip on second place, while the Blues now slip outside the top five.
Lionel Proctor’s men trailed by as much as 32 points late in the first quarter with the Blues providing all the answers.
Liam Waldron started brilliantly with three majors from set shots, the first was from a tight angle and the last was a long bomb which just cleared the pack.
Epping was doing everything well, winning the inside fifties and tackling effectively. It was difficult at that stage to see how the Stars were going to make it a contest.
However, Alex Williamson stepped up on the quarter time siren and nailed a set shot to reduce the deficit to 25 points.
Things were still buoyant in the Epping huddle at the first break, with coach Brad Hollow noting that all the key indicators were positive. He urged his players to persist in doing the things that had put them so far in front.
But the Fitzroy Stars hit the ground running in the second term with three goals in the first six minutes. The last of the trio being a classy goal from Kain Proctor following a handball receive.
The Blues kicked two steadying goals midway through the term courtesy of Jake Conway and a wonderful set shot on an angle from Daniel Rakhlin, to push the lead back out to 18 points.
But the Stars kept the charge going, and booted four of the last five goals for the term to have the game in the balance at the main break when they trailed by a solitary point.
The visitors hit the lead for the first time all game during the third term when Williamson stepped up to the plate again, kicking truly from directly in front.
Once Epping lost the lead, they were never able to regain it, as it seemed that whatever they did well in the first term could not be replicated thereafter.
Meanwhile the Stars stepped up their pressure and were moving the ball well once getting it to the outside.
Jye Brennan was playing his first game for the year and proved his selection was warranted, as he goaled after a terrific tackle and was involved in several great passages of play on the day.
After the game was played at a frenetic pace in the first half, the third term only produced four majors. But the Stars kicked 3.3 to 1.4 to take a handy 10-point lead into the last change.
Given that they had the momentum going for them, the mood was positive in the Stars huddle. It was noted that the midfield got on top and the defence was holding up well, but the challenge was still going to come from the home side.
The Blues were close enough if good enough, but their field kicking let them down at times, while they also missed some shots at goal.
The Stars kicked the first two of the final term via Kain Proctor and James Trajkovski to take the lead out to 22 points.
The local fans were given a glimmer of hope with a major just after the midway point of the term, but Tyson Pickett scored the quick reply when swooping on the ball and running away from his opponent to make the game safe.
Experienced players such as Lionel Proctor, Jai Burns and Neville Jetta soaked up time and played some tempo football, ensuring there was little chance of a miraculous comeback by Epping.
“It was good to rebound after getting belted in the first quarter, I like the character of our group to get it back on our terms,” Fitzroy Stars coach Lionel Proctor said.
Proctor liked the contribution of Allan Norris in the ruck, while also giving praise to James Trajkovski and defender Anthony Walker. There was virtually no weak link in the Stars team once they settled, with regular top performers in Kain Proctor and Jai Burns again impressing.
James Tadd was the best midfielder for the Blues and got plenty of it, meanwhile Jordan Wilkins led the defence with sure hands and took some fine contested marks.
Jordan Hollow and Luke Lirosi also performed admirably.
