Round 1 saw Thomastown play Greensborough in their first Division 1 game in the NFL. New players in for the first Senior game at the club were Mark Jerram (Whittlesea), Pece Micevski (Northern Bullants) and Anthony Nicolo (Doutta Stars). After the unfurling of the 2008 Premiership flag, the time had come to test ourselves against new opposition.
The first quarter saw Greensborough jump out of the blocks full of run. The Thomastown backline came under immedaite pressure through Greensborough's run thorugh the middle of the ground, three goals were scored before Thomastown was able to manage a behind. By quarter time Greensborough had created a 44 point lead. Thomastown were unable to make the most of the opportunities offered to them in front of goal and managed 4 points for the quarter. Unfortunately for Thomastown Schwabl limped off with a hamstring injury just before the break and was unable to return.
The second quarter saw Thomastown start to fight to get back in to the contest. Raaf was a focal point up forward and the Thomastown side was able to show some signs of cohesion with their movement foward. Calafiore got the Bears on the board and three goals to Rachrache for the quarter saw Thomastown able to outscore Greensborough by 5 goals to 3 to reduce the margin to 28 points at the half time break. The margin could have been less except for some poor kicking in front of goals.
Greensborough took the early momentum in the third quarter with quick goals and were able to re establish their quarter time lead fairly easily. 5 goals to three for the quarter saw Greensborough in at the final change with a 46 point lead. Luckily for Thomastown, Greensborough had wasted a few opportunities to make the margin even greater. For Thomastown Wall also limped off during the quarter and was unable to return.
The final quarter saw an even contest with both teams kicking four goals for the quarter to see Greensborugh run out victors by 47 points in the first game of the season. Thomastown needs to regroup before their next meeting with Bundoora in Round 2.
Rachrache with 6, Capeci and Calafiore with 2 goals each were the main contributors on the scoreboard, while the best were Zurek, Rachrache, Nicolo, and Sean Abela.
The Reserves were severely undermanned against the well credentialled Greensborough side, going down by 123 points. Unable to kick a goal in the first three quarters, they showed great determination and steel to kick 5 goals in the final term to outscore the Greensborough side. Deagostino kicked 2 goals, while good players were Pendelbury, Deagostino, Vitiritti and Deralas.
The Under 19's started the day with a loss to Greensborough by 43 points, the final margin not really indicative of the way the game was played. A slow start and a below par third quarter costing them in the end, whiile they were able to outscore Greensborough in the second and third quarters. Stavridis, Raykovski and Zakkour all kicked 2 goals while the better players were Stavridis, Oppedisano, Horman and Condick.
Last Modified on 20/04/2009 09:29