Reservoir breaks its drought, beating Lalor for first win since 2017

It was a day to remember for Reservoir as the club won its first senior game since 2017 and both grades won for the first time since 2015.

Dylan Cornford in action for Reservoir. Picture: George Salpigtidis

Reservoir’s drought it over.

After 1715 days, the better part of five years, the Mustangs sung the song after beating NFL Division 3 rival Lalor by 31 points on Saturday.

Making the day even more special, the club’s reserves won for the first time since 2018, with both grades victorious on the same day for the first time since 2015.

Trailing by two points at half-time, Reservoir found another gear in the second half, booting seven goals to one, to run out 9.10 (64) to 4.9 (33) winners.

Reservoir coach Justin Graham said he’d never been in a louder changeroom.

Zane Pugliese-Thompson in action for Reservoir. Picture: George Salpigtidis

“Thank God our reserves coach has been there for 25 years and he led them through (the song) but we had some sheets printed out,” he said.

“It was pretty loud, I’ve been in some pretty loud changerooms, but the team and supporters were pretty excited and we got to belt it out twice yesterday.

“We’ve been through some lean times, even had to shutter the doors for a year, so to be back here and winning games is fantastic for everyone involved.”

Skipper Tom Holloway led from the front, booting three goals, while Zane Pugliese-Thompson was named best-on-ground after a starring role in midfield.

Dylan Cornford booted a goal in his 100th appearance.

Graham made special mention of youngsters John Abouhaila and Tom Dunn as well as Jack Mansfield and Ayman El-Ali.

“We’ve got a lot of guys in their first year of senior footy and guys in their first year of football.

We had two guys (Mansfield and El-Ali) yesterday playing their second game of football but their form in our practice matches had been great, I couldn’t leave them out, and they were great.

“John Abouhaila, a 19-year-old in his second senior game was outstanding, and Tom Dunn, an 18-year-old in his second senior game, he played out on the wing and was instrumental for us.

“Zane was terrific, we haven’t gone through the stats yet but he must have had it 35 times. He worked really hard forward and back.

“Tom started down back but I swung him forward and miracle of miracles it worked – you don’t get to say that often as a coach – and he kicked three and set up another.”

The win is a critical step forward in Reservoir’s rebuild under Graham.

The first-year Mustangs coach admits it will take several seasons for his club to be competitive again but has been thrilled with the growth since taking the reins.

The reserves came from three goals down at three-quarter-time to win 7.15 (57) to 5.15 (45) to give the club a boost before the seniors ran out.

Graham believes Saturday’s results show his players, supporters and league the club is on the right track.

“Our improvement week-to-week has been remarkable, so I’ve been so pleased with how the squad is developing,” he said.

“We know were we are, we’re still a long way away, but we’re finding some talent and building a base for the future.

“To pick up little wins like this shows we’re on the right track and keep everyone excited.

“It buoys everybody, we’ve been working really hard to bring the squad together.

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“It gives us an opportunity to propel forward, we’ve got our massive home opener – we’ve had the clubrooms redone – against Kilmore in two weeks and that will be a really good challenge.”

Reservoir will host Kilmore on April 23 in the return to Crispe Park after major renovations over the summer.

Dylan Cawsey, Kane Toronis, Ned Hawkins (two goals) and Matthew Baker were Lalor’s best on the day.

The Bloods face the daunting challenge of travelling to South Morang in Round 3.