Tara Murray
Thomastown will bank the win against Epping and move on in the Northern Football League division 2.
Having turned a corner under caretaker coach Daniel Bramich, the Bears had the opportunity to make it three in a row against the Pingers on Saturday.
The Bears dominated on the scoreboard from the first whistle, holding the Pingers goal less in the first quarter.
From there they continued on, winning 17.13 (115)-6.11 (47).
Bramich said the performance wasn’t what they were after, but they achieved the main focus, coming away with the four pints.
“We had a few things we wanted to work on, but we didn’t achieve that, so there’s still plenty to improve on,” he said.
“It’s a performance we don’t take a lot from. There were lots of turnovers and ill discipline. They kicked five goals from 50 metre penalties. That can turn the game and you can end up losing.
“We know that we can’t be playing 100 per cent all the time. We had some ebbs and flows to get the win.”
Anthony Capeci kicked six goals in the win.
Bramich highlighted the performances of Capeci, Aaron D’Angelo, Tyronne Leonardis and Michael Tang as some key contributors.
He said the most pleasing thing the last few weeks had been the number of players who could have been named in the best, with the side not relying on one or two players.
For Bramich he said the group had been riding a wave of momentum the last few weeks. While a coaching change can have a negative impact, he said the group had been really good.
“We’re not looking to change a whole lot,” he said. “I’m bringing things in from being a player myself and as a coach.
“They’re following what I’m trying to implement.”
The win keeps the Bears slight finals hopes alive. The side Bears sit in sixth spot.
Bramich said they had been treating every game as a final for a number of weeks. They face Lower Plenty this Saturday.
“We are hungry for the challenge,” he said. “They are a seasoned campaigner and we will have to bring our a-game.
“The boys are keen to prove themselves against a real finals contender.”
In division 1, Whittlesea lost to Montmorency, 17.11 (113)-13.6 (84).
The Eagles led at three quarter time, before the Magpies kicked 11 goals in the final quarter to run away with the win.
Whittlesea sits bottom. Bundoora had a bye as part of the split round.
