Lalor claims its second victory of the NFL Division 3 season, re-signs coach Gary Cutler

A second win and coach Gary Cutler re-signed. It’s been a positive week for Lalor. The Bloods proving too good for Reservoir as they look to finish the NFL Division 3 season strongly.

Ben Curtiss in action for Lalor. Picture: Andy Brownbill

It doesn’t matter how the wins come for Lalor, as long as they come.

The Bloods secured their second win of the NFL Division 3 season on Saturday with a 31-point triumph over Reservoir.

Both wins have come against the struggling Mustangs but that doesn’t worry coach Gary Cutler.

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“At the end of the day, when you’re battling, one team had to win a game,” Cutler said.

“It was there to be won and our boys put their hands up.

“We’re trying to build a culture that wants to win. It’s good, because it has been a long, hard season.”

It wasn’t the only positive at Lalor Reserve, with Cutler revealing he’s re-signed for 2020.

Hirsi Twomey in action for Lalor. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Lachlan Evans in action for Lalor. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Lalor coach Gary Cutler speaks to his players during a break. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Lalor started strongly, keeping Reservoir goalless in the first quarter to take a 25-point lead into quarter-time.

The Mustangs hit back strongly in the second term, kicking with a stiff breeze, to narrow the margin to 12 points at half-time.

However, it was all Bloods after that as Lalor kicked five goals to two, claiming the four points 11.13 (79) to 6.12 (48).

“We thought we were playing good footy at half-time but we just weren’t capitalising,” Cutler said.

“It was a tough day for footy. The bottom two teams were playing — I’ve got to be honest, it wasn’t a skilful day anyway — but it was windy and messy.

“(Reservoir) came to play. They came out and played really hard footy, really competitive.

Lalor and Reservoir players fly for the ball. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“I said to my boys ‘they’re sitting over there, seeing how we’re going, and can’t wait to get to us’.”

Ben Curtiss was Lalor’s best in victory while Robert Todd and Daniel Ballantyne also impressed.

Daniel Moore played his first game since Round 3 and Cutler was pleased with his impact up forward and in the ruck.

“We brought six guys in that we’ve been missing, it made a massive difference,” Cutler said.

“It creates a flow on for the twos, they get players back, so it’s good for the club.”

In Division 2, Whittlesea continued its winning run with a 44-point victory over St Mary’s, while Thomastown claimed a second straight win after beating Epping by 60 points.

In Division 1, Bundoora slumped to a fourth straight defeat in a one-point thriller against Hurstbridge.

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