LALOR retained top spot on the Division 2 ladder with a tricky 17-point win over Thomastown at Main Street Reserve in Round 14.
The Bloods win was aided by forward Todd Hughes, who kicked four second-half goals, while Jarrod King produced a best on ground effort.
There was great anticipation leading into the contest with the previous encounter in Round 8 being one of the best games of the season – where the Bloods ended the Bears unbeaten start to the season.
This game did not quite live up to those expectations with all up only 15 goals being kicked. However, the win was equally important for the Bloods who now sit one game clear of Whittlesea atop the ladder.
The match began in a tedious fashion with errors aplenty from both sides.
Lalor had the ball in its half for a majority of the opening 10 minutes but was unable to capitalise on its dominance.
The deadlock was broken in the 13th minute when Nick Sandy snapped a goal to put the Bloods in the lead.
Thomastown regained the lead when Jason Abela was awarded a free kick and slotted home a goal from 20 metres out.
But it would be Lalor with the ascendency for the remainder of the opening term, with Sandy kicking his second major and captain Shannon Smith kicking a massive goal from outside 50, to give the visitors a 13-point lead at quarter time.
Lalor came out blazing in the second quarter and kicked its third consecutive goal after Luke Dowdle marked among an army of Thomastown players and kicked truly.
But just as it seemed Lalor was getting well on top of the home side, Thomastown responded with a spectacular goal by David Folino.
Folino’s effort sparked a flurry of goals for Thomastown, with Steven Cadby, Julian Terzioski and Jacob Osei-Duro all converting majors to give the Bears a four-point lead at half time.
Lalor must have been disappointed to be trailing at the major break but would have been aware that it had the advantage of the wind in the third quarter.
The wind proved vital for Lalor, as it registered three goals and four behinds in the quarter, while Thomastown only increased its score by two points.
Lalor’s three goals in the quarter all came from the outstanding Hughes. The key forward’s ability to both find space in the forward line and mark strongly saw him kick all three goals for the Bloods – two of which came in time on.
Hughes should have kicked more goals if his teammates had lowered their eyes and spotted his strong leads, or if he could have kicked accurately from a 50 metre set shot.
Having seen what Lalor achieved by kicking with the wind, Thomastown would have been confident it could run over the Bloods in the final term, despite trailing by 16 points at the last change.
Thomastown’s hopes were soured when Hughes kicked his fourth goal in succession to increase the margin to 22 points.
Thomastown had chances to get back into the contest but poor kicking at goal saw the Bears kick seven behinds in the quarter.
The home side finally converted a major through Daniel Chadwick, but when Scott Dowell ran into an open goal and converted with a minute remaining the game was all but sealed.
Thomastown meets Hurstbridge in a crunch game in Round 15, where the loser could slip outside the top four. Meanwhile, Lalor hosts Whittlesea in a top of the ladder clash.
Final score: Thomastown 6.13 (49) def by Lalor 9.12 (66)
