Thomastown served notice that it is a flag contender with an important win over Panton Hill at Main Street Reserve in Round 7 of Division 3 action.
The 16.11 (107) to 13.9 (87) victory leaves the Bears behind the ladder-leading Redbacks on percentage only.
The Bears took control of the match with six unanswered goals either side of quarter time. The Redbacks made several comeback attempts, but never regained the lead.
‘Joffa’ Byron was moved forward after quarter time. The move paid immediate dividends, when Panton Hill kicked three unanswered goals. Byron, in his 50th game for the Redbacks, slotted two goals after strong contested marks either side of a Zac Williams goal.
The Bears looked likely to take a handy lead into the main break, but a midfield error led to a Nicholas Lowther mark. Lowther, who had been yellow-carded earlier after clashing with Michael Di Battista, kicked a long goal to reduce the margin to 10 points at half time.
The third term was a scrappy affair early, with both teams finding it difficult to score.
A goal to Lloyd Toffolon, who later had to be assisted from the ground with an injury, reduced the margin to three points. The favourites appeared to be making their charge.
But Thomastown finished strongly for the quarter, with five of the last six goals of the quarter to take a 29-point lead into the last break.
Dean Haydock told his players that they faced a huge challenge, but to put their heads over the ball and that they were still a chance.
However, the game was sealed midway through the final term when Michael Khoury won a contested ground ball and slotted his fifth to give the home team a 34-point lead.
The Redbacks dominated general play in the final term, but the Bears managed four straight from their entries to win well.
Bears’ coach Steve Krstevski said they had looked at the previous week’s tape and noted that they handed Reservoir too many easy goals.
“We were better with the ball this week and our decision making was a lot more sound,” Krstevski emphasised.
He also had a few positional moves for this match. Robert Nedelovski went forward and was able to boot three goals, including two in the final stanza to quell a Redback challenge. Sashe Spirovski also moved forward and kicked four goals, including a couple for the highlights reel.
Michael Manley had been played as a forward in 2013, but he played solidly in defence for the entire game. Daniel Chadwick played on Lowther, while Andrew Lovanoski did well to limit Redback Jarrod McGough.
“They were just more desperate for the ball,” lamented Redbacks’ coach Dean Haydock.
While he would have been happy with the midfield effort, where Tyler Scarce excelled, Panton Hill’s trouble came at either end of the ground. The elusive Bears’ forwards were kicking goals regularly. Will Box was the only clear winner in defence – holding Joshua Beare goalless while providing drive himself.
When the ball went into the Redbacks forward line, Adrian Lesar was playing close on Byron, with assistance from other defenders. Brendan O’Connor and Williams each chipped in for three goals, but the Bears were often able to counter-attack from defence and set up scoring opportunities.
Christopher Higgins was chaired off after playing his 100th game and a rousing rendition of the club song followed.
Panton Hill will be looking to atone next week as it travels to play Parkside. Thomastown has the bye next week and then hosts Parkside in Round 9.
Final score: Thomastown 16.11 (107) def Panton Hill 13.9 (87)
