All it took was a 20-minute opening blast from Hurstbridge for Thomastown to suffer a second successive loss.
The Bears were on the back foot after conceding the first seven goals in the Northern Football League division 2 match and although they won the next three quarters, they were beaten 17.15 (117) – 13.7 (85).
Bears coach Dean Sinclair said it was difficult to play catch-up football after such a poor start.
“We had a pretty bad start but after quarter-time we were competitive,” he said.
“They came out firing and caught us on the back foot and it was hard to catch up.
“I said to the boys at quarter-time that they had to dig deep and show character and try to get what advantage we could.
“We took small steps toward closing the margin but it was just too big at three-quarter time.”
Sinclair said it wasn’t all bad for the Bears.
“I stressed to the guys that while the first 20 minutes was disappointing, we could have been blown away,” he said.
“It’s just about trying to keep positive and what we have done so far [this season] is exceptional.”
Sinclair said Joseph Vaccaro did a good run-with job on [star midfielder] Blair Harvey, while Lukas Fellows and Matthew Ferraro were also good in the loss.
The Bears have been injury-riddled in recent weeks, but Sinclair said that was not an excuse.
“When you have two or three players out you can cope,” he said.
“When you have the top rung out, your leaders, it does start to hurt. Our two captains, Anthony Fazzari and Jason Abela, will be back in the next few weeks and we’ll get Jacob Osei-Duro, the leading goalkicker from last year, back as well.
“[But] it gives other guys a taste of senior football with them out, which is a positive for the club.”
The loss sees the Bears slip to second behind Hurstbridge on percentage. The club’s success has encouraged Sinclair to aim higher than his pre-season expectations.
“To just play one final and get a taste for it, is an amazing effort for the club this year.”
Whittlesea is in fourth spot after beating Lalor 15.11 (101) – 13.9 (87), just two points from the top two.
Mernda wasn’t able to make it two in a row, losing to Panton Hill.
In division 1, Bundoora lost 15.9 (99) – 11.10 (76) against ladder leader Greensborough.
