HURSTBRIDGE continued its unbeaten start to the 2016 season, claiming its seventh-straight win with a 30-point triumph over the Fitzroy Stars in Round 9.
The Bridges led at every change to secure the 16.15 (111) to 11.15 (81) triumph in front of a huge crowd at Ben Frilay Oval.
In his one-off appearance for the Bridges, former Carlton and Brisbane forward Brendan Fevola wowed the spectators with eight goals. Chris Burton also provided a target up forward, slotting four majors.
Tom Grimes was named best afield for the Bridges, with his use of the ball off half-back and through the middle of the ground influential.
Tom Simpson was also instrumental in his side’s win, taking control of the game midway through the third term.
For the Stars, Mungara Brown and Peter Hood each kicked three goals, while Daniel Francis was able to slot two.
Hood fought gallantly for his side along with Clinton Benjamin, while youngster Kain Proctor and Malcolm Dow were influential in the third term when the Stars made their run at the Bridges.
All eyes were on Fevola early in the match and he didn’t disappoint, marking and slotting his first goal within minutes.
Hood was able to reply just minutes later before a John Hayes goal put the Stars in front for the first time.
Fevola soccered through his second before Burton was able to slot his first. Aron Burns then marked inside 50 and kicked his only goal in his first senior match this season, putting the home side ahead by six points at the first break.
Fitzroy had all the momentum to begin the second quarter but couldn’t convert its chances, missing its first three shots before Peter Harrison dribbled one through.
Fevola and Shaw were able to convert at the other end for the Bridges to stretch the margin to 15 points.
The Stars again missed their opportunities as Hayes and Hood both missed gettable shots, however Hood was able to get another chance after taking an intercept mark and converted to make up for his earlier behind.
The Stars kicked 2.7 for the quarter and also missed other opportunities after Hurstbridge’s Bryce Mullane and Hayden Farrelly made goal-saving plays just before the break.
The visitors went a man down on half-time as Rivva Karpany sustained a lower leg injury and had to be stretchered off.
Fitzroy once again came out firing in the third term and was able to get one the board through Francis and Hood.
Dow was sent down back as a loose man and was instrumental in the momentum swing that saw the Stars also kick the next two through Brown and Francis to push ahead by 10 points.
Hurstbridge was able to settle and kick the next two majors, before Simpson was able to get a kick away from long range with one second left to put the home side 10 points ahead at the final change.
Fevola brought out the party tricks in the final term, kicking four of the first five goals to put the match beyond doubt.
Brown was able to kick a late consolation goal for the Stars before Burton kicked his fourth after the final siren.
Hurstbridge next travels to Cracknell Reserve to take on Panton Hill. The Stars will take the week off before hosting the Redbacks and Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval in Round 11.
Final score: Hurstbridge 16.15 (111) def Fitzroy Stars 11.15 (81)
