Whittlesea claims its first scalp of the NFL Division 2 season with gusty win over Thomastown
After being “embarrassed” last week, Whittlesea has bounced back with a crucial win over fellow finals contender Thomastown, the Eagles’ biggest scalp of the NFL Division 2 season.
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Whittlesea claimed its first scalp of the NFL Division 2 season on Saturday.
The Eagles have been inconsistent after being relegated last season but produced their “first four-quarter performance of the year” to defeat Thomastown by nine points at Main Street Reserve.
It is a crucial victory for Whittlesea against a fellow finals contender, while Thomastown will be ruing its inaccuracy in front of goal.
The Bears dominated time in possession with their short-kicking gameplan but couldn’t finish, as the Eagles’ forward efficiency saw them claim the four points, 8.11 (59) to 6.14 (50).
Whittlesea coach Blair Harvey was proud of his players’ performance on the road.
“We knew it was going to be a tough game, so we’re obviously rapt to get the result. Here especially,” he said.
“We were pretty much embarrassed last week, especially in the first half where we only kicked one goal.
“We thought this was make-or-break for our season and if we could get over the line it could really kick start our season, and hopefully it does.”
Paul Higgins and Jaron Murphy were outstanding off half-back for Whittlesea, while Xavier Dimasi, Matt Coen and Mitch Andrews also impressed.
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Thomastown star Matthew Vasilevski threatened to steal the game with a virtuoso performance before Blake Watson was given a shutdown role.
Harvey said the team’s work-rate was what it needed to be for the rest of the season.
“They’ve got some good midfielders that we had to keep an eye on and I think our backline really stood up all day,” he said.
“Our back six was fantastic and we were able to spread from there, which was great, and our work rate was much better than it’s been all year.
“Watto had a run-with role with Vasilevski, especially in the last quarter when he started getting on top, he shut him out of the game.
“Work rate is massive for us, if our work rate is up I think we can beat anyone, it’s just a matter of consistency and playing four quarters, which today was the first time we’ve played four quarters all year.”
The victory draws Whittlesea even with Thomastown with five wins for the season but the Eagles remain fourth, 0.68 per cent behind, with a game in hand.
It doesn’t get any easier for the Eagles with second-placed Eltham visiting Whittlesea Showgrounds this weekend.
Thomastown have the week off in Round 10 with a bye.
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