Thomastown sack coach Ben Chapman, respond with crucial win over Fitzroy Stars

Thomastown responded to a week of off-field turmoil that saw coach Ben Chapman sacked by producing arguably its most important win of the season over finals rivals Fitzroy Stars.

Sacked Thomastown coach Ben Chapman. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Thomastown has produced arguably its biggest win of the season on Saturday, two days after coach Ben Chapman was sacked.

The Bears had lost four straight but responded from a tumultuous week with a 58-point victory over Fitzroy Stars at Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval.

Chapman was officially let go on Thursday with assistant coach Scott Plant taking over as caretaker for the rest of the NFL Division 2 season.

Thomastown president Rob Mazniovski said it was not a decision made lightly.

“The executive committee has a duty of care to its players, members and sponsors,” he said.

Sacked Thomastown coach Ben Chapman. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“Ultimately, any decision we make we feel is in the best interests of the footy club.

“We wish Ben all the best in his future coaching endeavours and thank him for the past two and a half years.”

Chapman arrived at Main Street Recreation Reserve in 2016 from EDFL club Oak Park, guiding the Bears to finals last year for the first time since winning the Division 3 premiership in 2014.

A loss would have seen the Bears drop out of the top four with the Stars and Diamond Creek hot on their heels.

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Despite the off-field issues, the Bears came out firing, taking a 12-point lead into quarter-time.

Fitzroy was held scoreless for the following two quarters as Thomastown built a 46-point buffer by three-quarter-time and ran out 14.15 (99) to 5.11 (41) winners.

Anthony Capeci kicked five goals, while Matthew Vasilevski, Adrian Natoli and Dylan Chapman all starred.

Mazniovski praised the team’s ability to come together under Plant on short notice.

Anthony Capeci celebrates a Thomastown goal.

Daniel Chadwick in action for Thomastown. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“Scott came across from Macleod (at the start of the year), he’s an ex-captain of the football club,” he said.

“He took this on — it’s not easy for anyone, especially having worked closely with Ben — to do the club a favour, help the club in a time of need.

“Credit to (the players), they responded and really played some good footy.

“It was fantastic to see, knowing it’s been a big week for everyone.”

Thomastown travels to Epping this weekend looking to cement its place in the top four before returning home against Watsonia on July 27.

Elsewhere in Division 2, Whittlesea kept Epping to just four behinds in a 132-point win, Eltham was stunned by Diamond Creek by 36 points and St Mary’s continued its strong form with a 45-point win over Watsonia.

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