Football
12 August, 2024
Lakers win for "JK"
Eight goals to Lakers coach Justin Beugelaar have led Taylors Lake to an upset 16-point win over Pimpinio at Dock Lake Recreation Reserve.
On a massive occasion honoring club legend John 'JK' Kelly, the Lakers came out hard in the first quarter, but the Tigers took an 11-point lead into quarter-time.
In the second quarter, at the Dock Lake end, which Kelly loved, the Lakers kicked six goals to three to take a five-point lead into the main break.
It was goal-for-goal in the third quarter, with Pimpinio bringing the gap back by a point to trail by four at the final break.
A three-goal to one final quarter saw the Lakers hold on for a famous victory, winning 17.10.112 to 13.18.96.
Connor Schiller kicked four goals for the Lakers, with Trae Martin, Michael Graham, Thomas Clugston, and Connor Healey among their best.
Nick Groves kicked a bag of seven for the Tigers, with Matt Rosier, Adam Westley, Nick Groves, Dylan Thomas, Tyler Filcock, and Mitchell Fromm among their best players.
At quarter-time, when the Lakers were down by nine points, coach Justin Beugelaar reminded them about the last time they played Pimpinio.
"I just leaned on the first time we played them that we outscored them after quarter-time, and on that day, they had a five-goal headstart," Beugelaar said.
"We were in a better position this time around, and the fight was there, and to the boy's credit, they lived in the moment, and that second quarter was massive."
Beugelaar kicked seven of his eight goals in the first half, with Noah Jacobsen holding him well after half-time. In the third quarter, it was a shootout and Beugelaar said they had to find other avenues to goal.
"Connor Schiller and Ryan Gebert stepped up, and Bray Cullinan went up forward and gave us a contest," Beugelaar said.
"Connor as the third tall helped, but I think the biggest thing was the boys had belief and wanted to win."
At three-quarter-time, Beugelaar's message was simple. "The game is bigger than us."
"I told them to look at the whole picture and what happened with John, as everyone is still hurting, and for his family to get up every day and continue their lives has been brilliant," Beugelaar said.
"There are bigger things you need to lean on, and I had a feeling going into the last quarter and the game that we were going to win. I couldn't shake it."
One of the great moves during the game which paid dividends for the Lakers was Adam Hall's decision to throw Trae Martin into the centre.
"He has a clean disposal and good breakaway speed, so he can pick it up cleanly and scoot away, and he also has a big kick," Beugelaar said.
"It's good to see him getting back to playing footy and enjoying it. He has had a great season."
The Lakers will now look to close the season off on a winning note when they travel to Kalkee in round 18.