Watsonia claims stunning come-from-behind win over Lower Plenty

In arguably its biggest win since its 2016 premiership, Watsonia staged a stunning comeback to upset NFL Division 2 flag fancy Lower Plenty.

Watsonia claimed arguably it’s biggest win since its 2016 NFL Division 3 premiership on Saturday.

The Saints pulled off what will surely be one of the biggest upsets of the NFL Division 2 season, knocking off pre-season premiership favourite Lower Plenty by three points at Montmorency Park.

Making the win all the more memorable, the match was originally scheduled at AK Lines Reserve but was moved on Thursday with the ground not ready.

Down by nine points at three-quarter-time Watsonia roared back into the contest with three goals to snatch the lead.

Lower Plenty made a late charge but inaccuracy in front of goal proved lethal and the Saints held on, 12.9 (81) to 11.12 (78).

Watsonia walk off the ground victorious.

Watsonia coach George Lattouf was incredibly proud.

“I gave them the challenge, we’re playing the top team first game,” he said.

“All of a sudden, we came in yesterday, and we couldn’t play at our ground.

“That was fine, Lower Plenty was fantastic, but it’s another challenge for us – especially playing at their ground.

“I said to the boys ‘play to our structures, all the things we’ve been training’ and they did it, they played exactly the way I wanted them to play.

“We played gritty football, they played for the team … it’s a great way to start the season, as a coach I’m very proud, they’re like my young kids.”

Bookends, Josh Boulton at full back and Kyle Wheatley at full forward, were match-winners.

Boulton was rated best on ground as he and his fellow defenders held out Lower Plenty, while at the other end Wheatley booted five goals.

Watsonia coach George Lattouf. Picture: Josie Hayden

Cooper Burns and Adrian Saccuzzo also impressed for the visitors, while Alden Meale (two goals), Darcy Barden, James Elliott and Joel Leslie were the Bears’ best.

A five-goal opening term got Watsonia off to the perfect start before Lower Plenty took control during the middle stages.

Facing a daunting task, Lattouf had a simple message for his players at three-quarter-time.

“It was about composure, it didn’t matter if we were up or down, we didn’t even look at the scoreboard,” he said.

“It’s about growth and development of the group, take control of the game and work together as a group, play your role – it was terrific.

“We’d been training it, especially the last couple of minutes of the game, to slow the game down and take control and it worked.

“I said (after the game) we’re going to be the talk of the town for a week, how good’s that, we haven’t had that for a while.”

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Watsonia will have a few fitness tests this week with Anthony O’Sullivan injuring his hamstring in the first quarter and Van Page and Riley Taylor hobbled.

The Saints will look to make it 2-0 when they return to Binnak Park in Round 2 against St Mary’s.

Lower Plenty will look to bounce back against Fitzroy Stars.

Elsewhere in Division 2, Eltham (60) proved too good for Panton Hill (30), Diamond Creek (74) upset Thomastown (65), Epping (85) defeated Fitzroy Stars (68) and Banyule (90) were too good for St Mary’s (30).