Whittlesea continued their unbeaten start to the MC Labour Division 2 season after a 13-point triumph over an inaccurate St Mary’s outfit at Whatmough Park.

The Burra had multiple opportunities to lead the match on the scoreboard throughout the afternoon, but inaccuracy saw them kick 25 behinds, including 10 in the final term, to fall short 10.14 (74) to 6.25 (61).

Whittlesea captain Xavier Dimasi was excellent throughout the afternoon, with his ability to win the contested ball on multiple occasions a highlight for the visitors, while Taidgh Bland too impressed with his run and carry.

A four-goal effort last week by Eagles forward Jaron Murphy was backed up with a terrific three-goal performance on Saturday while Christian Prestopino also slotted three majors in his first game of the season.

For St Mary’s, Joseph Maggio continued his good form, with his return to the backline pivotal in the Burra’s effort to stay in the contest. Mitchell Green played well in the defensive half also while John Desmond was a solid contributor in midfield.

Jeremiah Antypas was named as the Burra’s best for the match, finishing with three of his side’s six goals.

He would also produce the first major of the afternoon just 30 seconds into the contest after converting a set shot. St Mary’s second goal came moments later thanks to some brilliant transition from defence, which finished with Lachlan Read kicking true to give the Burra a hot start.

Whittlesea responded through Murphy who opened his account for the afternoon, but it was Dimasi’s efforts that set the tone for his side early, illustrated by a great play found space in a stoppage, read the tap, and hit Paul Higgins on the lead, who made no mistake in front of goal.

Fabian Carelli’s men would dominate territory for most of the opening term but could only muster a four-point quarter time lead for their efforts.

The visitors were the ones to capitalise early in the second term thanks to three straight goals.

Higgins was again the benefactory of a pinpoint inside 50 entry, this time from Lucas Hobbs. He converted before Prestopino slotted through two goals in a matter of minutes to suddenly give the Eagles the advantage.

A bone crunching tackle from bland led to a scuffle, resulting in a free kick to reigning Division 2 best and fairest Tane Cotter who got the Burra’s first goal of the term.

But Whittlesea responded again through Murphy, who produced a brilliant snap from a congested pack of players to score the goal of the afternoon.

The Eagles would lead by 15 points at the main break, but that margin was soon cut down to nine within minutes of the third term getting underway, after a nice effort which saw Huon MacGibbon tap’s read perfectly by Desmond who then found Nicholas Green for his side’s fourth goal of the game.

The second bounce of the quarter was identical to the first, MacGibbon again winning the tap straight down to Desmond who this time found Antypas, but on this occasion, he could not convert the set shot.

It would prove to be the story of the third quarter for the hosts, who had produced repeat inside 50 entries, but were unable to reward their efforts with goals due to poor accuracy in front of the big sticks.

Meanwhile at the other end, Lucas Hobbs was excellent throughout the third term, clunking several contested marks inside 50 and giving his teammates many opportunities to put scoreboard pressure on their opponents.

Murphy would kick his third after taking a spectacular mark before Antypas had more opportunities to give the Burra the advantage approaching three quarter time. He kicked his second late in the term but had a golden chance to kick a third just before the siren, and as a result, his side still trailed by five points at the final change.

Whittlesea had their chances to put the game to bed early in the final quarter, missing three shots at goal within the first five minutes.

Eventually Dimasi would get the all-important major, snapping truly to make it a 13-point game.

St Mary’s would respond courtesy of Antypas, who crumbed his own marking contest to slam home his third of the afternoon.

The Burra were looking more dangerous as the quarter went on, threatening to reduce the margin and even take the lead, but their struggles in front of goal ultimately proved costly in claiming victory, as they produced 1.10 for the term.

A brilliant bit of play from Lachlan Shin-Mahony gave the Eagles a bit of breathing room, as Whittlesea’s late inclusion displayed a classy blind turn and combined for a one-two before finding Prestopino who slotted his third major of the day. Clancy Bland would then goal moments later to seal the Eagles’ second triumph of the season.

By Jack Ryan