Williamstown took a giant leap towards the finals on a momentous weekend in Lacrosse Victoria men’s state league.
The Fearons also restored some pride against local rival Footscray in a 9-5 win at Fearon Reserve on Saturday.
With five teams separated by one game at the top of a tight ladder, the Fearons leap-frogged Footscray and Surrey Park into first place.
The Fearons started the round in third and by the end of the weekend were in pole position.
They are the fourth team to occupy top spot in the first 12 rounds of the season.
That’s an indication of how close the premiership race will be this season, according to Fearons coach Damien Orr.
“We lost to Eltham last week and now we’re on top of the ladder,” he said. “Yeah – I think this year anyone can win it.”
Williamstown was desperate for payback against Footscray, which embarrassed them back in round six.
On that bleak day, the Fearons suffered a humiliating 17-6 loss, one of their greatest losses of the modern era.
“They thumped us last time,” Orr said. “One of the biggest defeats in Williamstown’s living memory, since the 1960s. It was a good turnaround.”
The Williamstown-Footscray rivalry has heated up in recent seasons.
Orr remembers the listless battles between the two sides from his playing days.
“When I was a player at Williamstown, it [beating Footscray] meant very little,” he said.
“I’ve been away overseas for a long time, coaching, and Footscray have really improved in that time. I think for the players it means a bit more now – it’s become a rivalry.
“Footscray have done a great job in becoming a strength club … back when I played, they were a bottom of the ladder team and now they’re very much not that.
“They dealt us one of the biggest losses we’ve had in living memory earlier in the season.”
The Fearons’ victory on Saturday was built on defence.
Keeping the competition’s most potent offensive team to just five goals is no mean feat.
Footscray also defended hard, but Daniel Jennings (three goals), Tom Pike (two) and Blake Taylor (two) found their way to a winning score.
Jennings, who featured at key moments, was the difference between the two sides.
“There was a lot of good off ball play from him,” Orr said. “He was cutting to space and teammates found him. He sunk the shots when we needed them.”
The Fearons might be perched on top of the ladder but Orr is nowhere near ready to declare his side a front-runner in the premiership race.
“We’re happy to be on top of the ladder but we’re definitely a work in progress,” Orr said. “We’ve still got a tough draw ahead and we’ve got a bit of a history of not doing well in the finals in recent times.
“We’re mindful of where we’re going and what we need to do.”
