Tara Murray
Braybrook was given a reality check by Sunshine Heights in the Western Region Football League division 3 on Saturday.
Having secured their finals spot in recent weeks, the Brookers faced the Dragons in the first of three matches against the other sides in top four to finish the season.
The Dragons jumped out of the blocks and were never headed in the 15.9 (99)-6.16 (52) win.
Brookers coach Vinnie Turcinovich said they were made to pay for not being mentally switched on.
“We’d had three easy games before Sunshine Heights and we might get them in finals,” he said.
“We took the foot off the pedal against them, which you can’t afford to do.
“It was one of those games the boys thought that they’re already in finals and going to make it, so they didn’t come to play.”
Turcinovich said the poor mental attitude reflected in the first quarter when they allowed the Dragons to kick five goals to one, despite having the same number of scoring shots.
He said from there the Dragons were able to continue to control the game.
“We didn’t do a lot of things right,” he said. “We will be much better in the first final.”
Nick Papakalodoukas kicked three goals for the Brookers.
Turcinovich said Papakalodoukas, ruck Michael Wilson and captain Aidan O’Rafferty were their three best players, but it was a game to forget.
The Brookers don’t have long to get their mindset right, facing second placed Albanvale this Saturday.
Turcinovich said they were hoping Nick Gregson might return this week after missing due to personal reasons. While Sean McIver should return from a leg injury after the bye
He said they were looking forward to the next few weeks. The Brookers can’t finish any higher than third.
“We have Albanvale, the bye and then the Suns,” he said. “That’s the lead up to finals we want.
“We want to play the good sides and get that pressure and contested footy.
“We’ll come ready for the first final that is for sure.”
In other results, the Suns beat Laverton 42.25 (277)-1.1 (7). Suns playing coach Dean Cachia kicked 21 goals.
Albanvale beat North Sunshine, 25.17 (167)-5.1 (31).
Tarneit had the bye.
In division 1, Spotswood kept in touch with the top five with a 10.16 (76)-8.10 (58) win against Sunshine.
With Werribee Districts losing to Caroline Springs, the Woodsmen are now percentage outside the top five.
Meanwhile, Altona beat Point Cook, 18.9 (117)-4.1 (25). Joel Menadue kicked five goals in the win to take his season tally to 40.
The Vikings remain in second spot, one game behind Caroline Springs.
Deer Park did enough to beat Yarraville Seddon, 11.18 (84)-7.13 (55). The Lions sit in fourth spot, just percentage behind Hoppers Crossing.
In the other matches, third placed Hoppers Crossing beat St Albans.
