Thomastown was hoping to win five to six games this season to ensure it stayed in the Northern Football League’s division 2 for the near future.
Surprising everyone, including themselves, the Bears are well on the way with four wins in the first month of the season.
Despite the perfect start, Bears coach Dean Sinclair said the club wouldn’t be reassessing its pre-season goals just yet.
“It’s been a terrific start,” Sinclair said. “The main objective was to be competitive and consolidate our spot in division 2.
“Last season, it took six wins to consolidate … we will hopefully get six wins for the year.
“The sooner the better, and once that happens we will look as reassessing our season goals.”
The one thing that is clear for the Bears is that they know how to win.
All four matches have been close, with the winning margins 14 points or less.
“There’s a winning culture at the moment at the club,” Sinclair said.
“Getting a couple of wins early helped that continue from last season.
“There’s a never-give-up attitude and the boys keep pushing themselves to get the win.”
That was clear on Saturday in the team’s four-point victory against Whittlesea Eagles, 13.8 (86)-12.10 (82).
“Scores were level at three-quarter time and they kicked the first couple of goals in the last quarter,” Sinclair said.
“We made a couple of positional changes at three-quarter time. We put Steve Cadby as a lose defender, who provided some run and carry.”
Recruit Matthew Ferraro kicked seven goals for the Bears.
“He kicked six goals last week, so that’s 13 goals in two weeks,” Sinclair said. “I asked for a big effort from him in the last quarter and he did that kicking three goals. He got a lot of attention early and he shrugged that off in the last quarter.”
Captain Jason Abela, James Mercuri and James Rizzolio all played well.
For the Eagles, Brenton Briffa was best, along with Andrew Fairchild and Jordan Ormerod.
This week, the Bears face Mernda, which lost by 16 points on Saturday to Fitzroy Stars, 16.23 (119)-16.7 (103).
Lalor lost to Hurstbridge.
In division 1, Bundoora lost to Macleod, while in division 3, Epping was too good for Heidelberg West.
