Fitzroy Stars secure first win of NFL Division 2 season after upsetting Eltham in Round 4

It was a family affair on Saturday as Fitzroy Stars produced a stunning upset over Eltham to claim their first win of the NFL Division 2 season with three members of the Proctor family starring.

Hedley Smith in action for Fitzroy Stars. Picture: Andrew Tauber

It was a family affair on Saturday as Fitzroy Stars produced a stunning 30-point upset over Eltham.

Three members of the Proctor family — father Lionel and sons Kain and Jordan — plus cousin Jai Burns starred as the Stars secured their first win of the year, 9.13 (67) to 5.7 (37) at Eltham Central Park.

It was a crucial win for Fitzroy Stars after two narrow losses to start the NFL Division 2 season.

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In wet and slippery conditions the Stars adjusted the quicker and jumped out to a 22-point quarter-time lead and were untroubled from there.

“We certainly needed that, for morale more than anything,” Stars coach Hayden Heta said.

“Respect to Eltham, they’re a quality unit, but if I was to say what the difference was, I think we adjusted to the conditions better early.

Lionel Proctor (front) with his son Kain and nephew Jai Burns.

“The first quarter was really wet, it didn’t stop raining, but it dried out during the second quarter.

“It was tough to adjust, but like I said, we were able to do that, which was pleasing.”

Jordan Proctor, 16, was named the Stars’ best in the win along with Lionel Proctor and Carl Groth, while Kain Proctor, 22, kicked two goals.

Heta said it was a privilege to watch Lionel Proctor run out with his sons.

“It made it more significant, he had the chance to play with his sons, and for them to play together was absolutely great.

“He’s highly regarded and an icon of the club … age is no barrier to that guy.”

Adam Oxley during his time at Collingwood.

Former Collingwood AFL defender Adam Oxley played his first game for Eltham and was one of the Panthers’ best as the Magpies had a bye in the VFL.

The victory keeps the Stars in the finals race after 14 and 11-point defeats either side of a bye in Round 2 and Heta praised the team’s first four-quarter performance.

“There wasn’t frustration, I just think we stuck to our game plan and were disciplined, which cost us in the first two rounds,” he said.

“To put a four-quarter performance together, it wouldn’t have mattered who we played.”

Heta expects boom recruit Andrew Lovett to debut after the inter-league bye.

In Division 1, Northcote Park continued its undefeated start to the season with a convincing 51-point win over Lower Plenty.

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