After a 105-point defeat, Lower Plenty responds with breakthrough win over Laurimar

After getting a football lesson in Round 1, Lower Plenty put that experience into practice and snatched a thrilling win with a 17-year-old ruckman shinning.

Jarred Coutts kicks a goal for Lower Plenty. Picture: Nathan McNeill

As the old saying goes, a week is a long time in football.

Seven days ago Lower Plenty were taught a 105-point lesson by South Morang but on Saturday it used that experience to clinch a thrilling four-point win over Laurimar.

The Power unfurled its NFNL Division 3 premiership flag at Laurimar Reserve but it was the Bears who celebrated with four points, winning 10.17 (77) to 10.13 (73).

After taking 13 games to register a win last year, the result is potentially significant as Lower looks to avoid a relegation battle in 2024.

All the more meritorious with gun ruckman Patty Flynn pulling out before the game with 17-year-old Seth Hill stepping up to play a vital role.

Joel Leslie in action for Lower Plenty. Picture: Nathan McNeill

It was a first win for new Bears coach Travis Stephens, who was proud of his players response.

“It’s always good to get the first win away early,” Stephens said.

“Big Flynny pulled out before the game, just a flu which is going around, so young Seth did well in the ruck, pretty much did it all day himself with a bit of support.

“The players did what the needed to, they were composed when they need to be, slowed the tempo down.

“They learnt a fair bit from Round 1 to Round 2, we had a lot of things to work on, it was a good week of learning.

“It was a long week in terms of a big loss but we wanted to bring on (Saturday’s) game and see where we were at.”

In a tight tussle, the margin rarely exceeded six points.

Lower held a four-point advantage at quarter-time before Laurimar led by two points at half-time.

The Bears regained the ascendancy in the third and finished the stronger to snatch a nail-biting victory.

Inaccuracy almost proved costly with the visitors kicking 5.11 in the second half, including a flurry of late behinds to leave the door open for the Power.

Stephens said the atmosphere in the rooms after the game was jubilant.

“We had about four shots on goal in the last six minutes, we probably rushed a bit, but I suppose that’s young kids,” he said.

“If we’d taken our chances then we might not have had to worry about a less-than-a-goal game.

“I think there were a few that didn’t know the words to the song, including the new coaches, so the feeling was good, being a young group they’re upbeat.

“When we play good footy it looks pretty good so now it’s just narrowing that gap between good footy and making mistakes.

“It’s a bit of a stepping stone, they learnt a fair bit from last week and hopefully they can improve again going into Northcote Park.”

Joel Leslie was named best-on-ground in the win, along with Hill, Jordan Sacco and Lewis Tsourou.

Hill made 13 appearances last season and held his own against experienced Power pair Josh Leather and Aiden Clarke.

“Seth is only a 17-year-old but he just competes and he’s learning a fair bit of big Patty,” Stephens said.

“It’s good having them together but (Saturday) he had to shoulder nearly everything and he did it really well.

“He’s a club junior but played senior footy last year, he’s filled out in his own body, he’s a strong kid and just loves playing footy.”

For Laurimar, Joel Lawson booted four goals and was best afield in defeat, while Bailey Macleod, Ethan Frawley and Jai Langford also stood tall.

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The Power faces the uphill task of bouncing back against undefeated premiership favourite Diamond Creek.

Lower Plenty will look to make it two on the trot against a Northcote Park side still searching for its first win.

The Cougars went down by five points to Panton Hill and the Creekers were too strong for Thomastown in a 31-point win.

Elsewhere, South Morang ran away from Watsonia to score a 26-point win and Whittlesea snatched a 13-point triumph against a wayward St Mary’s.