Lakers win second game under ex-AFL player Jack Fitzpatrick
One country club has ended their losing streak in style, with their first 100-point win in years. Now the club is focused on making their season count as big tests await them.
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Lake Wendouree coach Jack Fitzpatrick is hopeful the club’s first win can lead the Lakers to being more competitive against the rest of the competition.
The club secured its second win in as many seasons, ending an 18-game winless streak, with a smashing of Melton South on Saturday in the Ballarat league.
The 102-point win is the club’s biggest win since 2017 when they defeated Sebastopol by 141 points on August 5.
“It’s been a while coming,” Fitzpatrick said.
“It’s good to finally have a win and something to celebrate.
“First time in quite a while that we’ve played a four-quarter performance.”
While the contest was almost over at halftime with the Lakers leading by 46 points the team blew the game apart in a dominant third term.
Lake Wendouree kicked seven goals to two to seal the win, their first since beating Redan in Round 1, 2022.
Jacob Coxall, Tim Collins, Callum Mckay, Nathan Pring and Bayley Thompson all kicked three or more goals for the Lakers.
“We do want to be that type of team that doesn’t rely on a star player,” Fitzpatrick said.
“We do have some players who on their day can be very helpful for us and damaging.”
Fitzpatrick said he’s challenged his team to produce the same performance against those higher up the ladder.
The Lakers take on Sebastopol, last year’s grand finalists, this week before playing Darley at home.
“I just want to take out of it that when we play well and play at ut best we can compete with the really good teams,” he said.
“When we drop off, that’s when things can get out of hand or ugly, which we’ve seen at times this season.
“I want to beat them this weekend.
“Whether we do or don’t that remains to be seen but I’m not going there hoping to go okay and set the bar if we get within five or 10 goals we’ve done well.
“I want to go out there and win.
“It’s pie in the sky but while we are mathematically able to make finals, that’s what the goal is.”
Lake Wendouree face Sebastopol at Marty Busch Reserve on Saturday.
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