East Sunbury produced arguably the best win of the club’s history against Jacana on Saturday in Essendon District Football League division 2.
The Thunder weren’t expected to get near Jacana. In fact most people expected the Jaguars to smash them. But the script didn’t go to plan.
The Thunder outworked the Jaguars and wanted the ball more. When they had the ball in hand, they used it well and had options up forward.
The Thunder did the damage in the second quarter kicking eight goals to three to open up a lead.
The lead got out 47 points in the third quarter, before the Jaguars kicked the last three goals of the quarter to reduce the margin to 28 points at the last change.
Early in the last the Jaguars, who had won every last quarter for the season, had a shot to bring the margin back within three goals, but it missed.
It was to be the Thunder’s day though, as they kicked goals late to seal a 23.9 (147)-16.8 (104) win. Thunder coach Steve Grey said it was a day when everything had come together.
“Everyone rose to the occasion,” he said.
“All the kids didn’t worry about what players they were playing on. They worried about the footy and implementing what I try to teach them.
“Our attack and hunger for the football has been there this year. Why we haven’t won more games is our skill and execution.
“Today Jacana gave us a bit more space and we executed well even when they did put us under pressure at times, we took some really good options.
“We haven’t kicked 23 goals against a quality side like Jacana.”
The other real pleasing thing for Grey was the side being able to play out the game instead of playing well for just three quarters.
With several key players out with injury, more than a third of the Thunder team was under-19.
Ash Fleming was the only Thunder on the ground who had played more than 100 games of senior football. He took on the hardest task on the ground, playing on Cameron Cloke.
Cloke kicked nine goals, but Fleming still played a crucial role, especially late in the game.
Up forward for the Thunder, Tom Burnside had a break-out game, kicking six goals.
Grey said Burnside’s second and third efforts were the more pleasing thing.
Star onballer Tom Cree, who was best on ground, said the big difference was that the side believed that they could get the win.
“A lot of times the team hasn’t felt that they’ve been able to beat the better teams,” he said.
“We really gelled together and it’s starting to feel like it’s coming together, where it hasn’t throughout the start of the season.
“We believe that we can do it now. Finals is really in our eyes and we’re looking forward to the rest of the season.”
The win moves the Thunder to just one game behind third and fourth. This week they face winless Keilor Park with the chance to win three straight games for the first time in the club’s history.
