A BIG crowd gathered at Main Street Recreation Reserve to see if Laurimar’s Division 3 Seniors could repeat the heroics from a fortnight ago against a rampant Fitzroy Stars.
A strong breeze was the theme throughout the afternoon, and Fitzroy revelled in it when it won the toss and elected to use it.
However, the Power did well to nullify the Stars and hold them to just one goal in the opening 10 minutes, although the Stars were threatening every single time they went forward.
Unfortunately, the ruck structure also went out of kilter in the opening 10 minutes, with Noah Mooney concussed in a heavy tackle. With Aidan Clarke and Ethan Bateman having their hands full with the likes of ex-AFL talent such as Elijah Taylor and Eddie Betts in the forward line, this meant that Josh Leather was the sole ruckman for the remainder of the day.
Both teams were sent back to the sheds as an ambulance was required, halting play for 30 minutes. Upon resumption, it was the Stars who took control, kicking three quick goals to lead by 27 points.
Cooper Herbert kicked a goal against the grain, but it still meant the Stars led 29-6 at the first change.
Laurimar was desperate to get going with the breeze, but it just wasn’t to be as Fitzroy’s midfield, led by Kain Proctor, was dominant. The Power couldn’t get any possession chains going, nor could they penetrate the Stars’ defensive structure.
With the Stars kicking the first two goals of the quarter, the lead was 34 points, and it appeared to be game over.
Laurimar did have a bit of fight left in it and kicked three of the last four of the term to maintain an interest, trailing 25-47.
Realistically, the Power needed to kick at least the first two goals of the term to stay in the contest, but this was not forthcoming, as the break did nothing to stall the Stars’ momentum.
Instead, it was Fitzroy doing all the early running, kicking the first three goals of the term to increase the lead to 42 points.
Again, it appeared the Power was getting better as the quarter wore on, but they left themselves with far too much to do, despite leading goalkicker Patrick Fitzgerald getting on the end of two of his four majors in quick time.
The Stars essentially had the game wrapped up with another late goal to Betts to leave them 33 points up at the final change, 74-41.
Laurimar’s resistance was broken. Tired from having to play catch-up all afternoon, the Stars were able to take advantage and revelled in being able to play with some freedom.
It was party time when Betts kicked his fourth, before handing another off for a popular Lionel Proctor goal, and it was the Stars who were premiers, kicking 15.10 (100) to 7.5 (47).
The loss was Laurimar’s second grand final loss in the space of four seasons but will have another good crack at the premiership next season.
Clarke was adjudged Laurimar’s best, having blanketed dangerous Stars forward Patrick Farrant, while Cameron Maloney, Jacob Lawson, Stephen McCallum, Fitzgerald and Leather were also named in the best players.