Gritty Stars hold on
by
Garfield remain undefeated this season thanks to a hard-fought victory away from home against Dalyston.
The Stars were made to work for their reward in what was a close, low scoring contest for much of the day. Eventually they were able to prevail 7.11 (53) to 7.5 (47), breaking the hearts of the home fans and bringing the four points back to Garfield.
The Stars could have made their lives a little easier if not for some inaccuracy around goals – at three quarter time they led by just two points despite having seven more shots to their name, a 1.6 third term the main culprit.
But in the end they weren't left to rue their missed opportunities too much, the Stars players breaking into raucous celebrations as the final siren sounded.
Will Cole displayed plenty of footy smarts in the backline, the Stars recruit racking up intercept mark after intercept mark. At times it looked as if Dalyston were picking him out with their kicks forward, such was his ability to read the play.
Jack Tenace-Greenall put in a power of work through the middle as Jahmain Harrison and Oskar Miles were also handy contributors.
Four of the Stars' seven majors came in the first term alone where six goals between the two sides had Garfield with an early 13-point advantage.
From there the scoring dried up mightily. The Magpies kicked the only three goals of the second quarter to claim a slender half time advantage, the likes of Michael Harris, Blake Carew and Joe Alexander serving them well.
And if three goals in a quarter was the scoring drying up then majors in the second half were like finding water in a desert,
Just three goals were kicked between the sides across the third and fourth terms, defense becoming king in a dour affair.
Garfield led by seven points with just minutes remaining on the clock having icked two goals to one in the final term before a Dalyston behind put the game into potential draw territory.
A frantic final three minutes had the ball living in the Magpies' forward line as the Stars tried desperately to hang on under immense pressure.
Eventually they did enough, the celebrations in the visitors' rooms at Dalyston Recreation Reserve being loud and proud.
Garfield co-coach Lachlan Schreurs said the game was one of high physicality.
"We went in knowing it was going to have to be tough footy, they've got some big guys over there, they're a pretty good side," he said.
Schreurs was especially proud of the way his side hung on in the final few minutes.
"Our ability to create contest after contest and not give away a free kick under that pressure was brilliant.
"When the siren went I haven't had many better feelings in a game of footy, just the excitement and relief on everyone's faces, getting that reward for the effort we're putting in."
Garfield will face a significant test in their next match as a clash with reigning premiers Inverloch-Kongwak awaits, followed by consecutive games against 2023 finalists Tooradin-Dalmore, Cora Lynn and Warragul Industrials.
At two and zero confidence is high, but now the real test begins.