Lower Plenty’s courage and spirit were on display when they took home the points on an emotional day against Whittlesea on Saturday.
The Northern Football League division 1 club mourned and honoured player Patrick Cronin, who was killed last week in a one-punch attack.
And nobody would say they didn’t deserve to win, even though very little separated the teams all day.
The Eagles held the slight ascendency at each break, but the Bears found an extra gear in the last quarter to kick six goals to nil to win 20.10 (130)-15.11 (101).
Eagles’ coach Jim Atkins was all praise for Lower Plenty.
“They had a lot to play for and credit to them.
“We had chances to open up a three or four goal lead, but couldn’t capitalise and they stuck with us.
“We knew if they were close going into the last quarter that they would be hard to beat. Their good players stepped up and they were fantastic at taking their opportunities. ”
Jai Robinson and Andrew Fairchild kicked three each for the Eagles, while playing assistant coach Justin Sherman was named the side’s best.
Atkins said Thomas Falls who is still at the beginning of his senior career had a good game down back.
The loss leaves the Eagles without a win in three matches back in the top division, even though they have been competitive in them all.
Atkins said the next step was to be competitive for all four quarters, not just three.
“There are really good signs and we know as a club we have to be good for all four quarters.
“We have to step it up. We have a young playing group and it’s something we’re working on. We need the maturity to hit the target and kick goals when we get chances.”
Meanwhile, Bundoora got its second win of the season in a low-scoring affair against Greensborough.
Only eight goals were kicked in the first three quarters as both sides struggled to convert.
But after kicking 4.16 in the first three quarters, the Bulls found the middle of the goals in the last to win 8.17 (65)5.19 (49).
Kent Delbridge and Luke Simpson kicked two each, while Liam Byrne was best on ground.
In division 2, Thomastown remains undefeated after a thriller against Fitzroy Stars.
Scores were level at three-quarter time, and the two sides had the same number of scoring shots in the final quarter.
The Bears kicked 4.3 to the Stars 3.4 and that proved to be the difference with the Bears winning 13.14 (92)-13.9 (87).
Jacob Osei-Duro kicked five goals for the Bears in a best-on-ground performance.
Djaran Whyman kicked seven goals for the losers.
Lalor got its first win of the season, 12.7 (79)11.8 (74) over Diamond Creek.
In division 3, Mernda continued on its merry way with its biggest win of the season, a 28.20(188)-5.9 (39) trouncing of Heidelberg West.
Half the Demons got on the scoreboard, with Jayden Welch kicking seven and Matthew Tarr five.
Anthony Cardamone was best on ground in the massive win.
The Demons now have four wins in four rounds, a long way from the one win they had for all of last season.
On Monday, South Morang got its first win of the season with a 10.18 (78) -10.4 (64) win over South Morang.
