Reservoir held their nerve in a highly anticipated Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 contest with Lalor, going on to win by an impressive 55 points at Crispe Park.
The Mustangs withstood a third term fightback from the Bloods and finished the game off with a six goal to one final term in the 13.13 (91) to 4.12 (36) win.
“I’m ecstatic for the guys,” Reservoir coach Justin George said.
“They worked hard, reset at three quarter time, and had an outstanding last term.
The Mustangs now avoid the wooden spoon with their second victory over the Bloods in 2023.
With 2015 premiership coach Ross Terranova looking on, Reservoir fittingly kicked its highest score since that successful campaign, thanks to the outstanding Alex Mills who booted five majors.
In his first year of senior football, Jordan Sacca slotted two goals for the highlights reel in the second term. The first came from a great tackle 40 metres out on the boundary, followed soon by a set shot in a similar position.
In the final term, he helped get his team back on track when pouncing on a Lalor error and showing great composure. Rather than blazing away from deep in the pocket, he eluded an opponent and fired a handball to Mills for the easiest of goals.
Thomas Dunn did well on the wing and kicked two brilliant goals. With the left footer showing great flair, he booted two last term majors from long range near the boundary.
William Parrello excelled in his role as a midfield bull and made good decisions with ball in hand. Daniel Cole was useful as a link man across half forward, while Nathan King led a winning defence.
It was a tough day for Lalor fans, apart from the reserves coming from behind to win their third match of the season.
The seniors started with three late withdrawals which included the talented Justin Bentley, leaving some players to double up in playing reserves and seniors.
Among the positives for the Bloods was the fact that their centre square team of Nicholas Anastasi, Moussa Ali and Aaron Tkocz continually got their hands on the ball.
However, while their work translated to scoring opportunities, they didn’t convert to goals which all but proved to be difference in the two sides for most of the match.
After failing to score a goal with the breeze in the first term, Lalor went into the main break with a 32-point deficit.
With the game in danger of slipping away, the Bloods played their best football in the third term. Jacob Houston got the team off to the perfect start by nailing Lalor’s first major for the afternoon from a set shot from 40 metres out.
A great second effort by Hayden Chapman led to a downfield free for Lalor, but the relatively simple shot at goal was missed.
Poor discipline cost the team soon after, with two separate 100-metre and 50-metre penalties resulting in goals to the home side.
The lead had ballooned out to 39-points at that stage, but the Bloods dug deep and dominated the latter stages of the quarter.
One of the late inclusions into the side in Abudin Awo slotted a shot from close in, then Jackson West kicked another, one of two for the day for him.
Lalor ended the term 22 points down and with considerable momentum despite the inaccuracy and ill-discipline.
With the task difficult but not impossible, Lalor coach Angelo Lamanna urged his team to win the contest, roll with it and go quickly. But it was the local crowd who got to see their team rally hard to claim a brilliant victory.
“We looked good when we got the ball to the outside, but we didn’t capitalise on our opportunities” Lamanna said.
As well as the centre square players who excelled, Lamanna gave a tick to Hayden Chapman, Zac Orr and wingman Tarkyn Edwards-Lovett.
