EPPING held on to a memorable one-point victory against Watsonia at Epping Recreation Reserve in Round 8.
Kicking against the wind in the final term, Epping had to absorb a late charge by Watsonia to hold onto the 9.13 (67) to 9.12 (66) win.
The victory sees Epping move into second place heading into its Queen’s Birthday weekend break.
Epping began the game kicking with the breeze, which proved invaluable.
The Blues piled on four goals in the opening term, with Daniel Moore snaring two goals, while Christopher Chilcott and Mitchell Henwood both added to the scoreboard.
Watsonia controlled periods of the opening quarter but failed to trouble the scoresheet with forward 50 entries posing as a major concern for coach Corey McCall.
The second quarter began in similar fashion as the first but this time it was Watsonia who did all the attacking.
The Saints added to the scoreboard for the first time through Andrew Kidd, who marked 15 metres from goal but could only manage a solitary behind.
It would take two more efforts at goal for the Saints to add a major, with debutant and 23rd man Joel Williams kicking a goal just outside of the goal square.
Watsonia’s improved forward entries was paying dividends, with the Saints kicking a further two goals in the quarter to enter the half time break trailing by six points.
Kicking with the wind in the third term, it was expected Epping would come out flying.
However, Watsonia was the team to convert the first major of the term, courtesy of Jack Larkin who squared up a kick from the pocket to Hayden Mitchell.
With the lead having evaporated, Epping needed someone to step up and take control of the game.
In a space of four minutes Daniel Moore changed the shape of the game, kicking three crucial goals as Epping regained the lead and increased the margin to 19 points.
The Saints were not to be deterred by the onslaught and converted a rare goal against the wind, thanks to brilliant run along the boundary by Andy Bennett, who unselfishly set up Hayden Mitchell for an easy shot at goal.
But when Joel Dunmore kicked truly at the other end it seemed the Blues would enter the final term with a comfortable three-goal advantage.
However, Watsonia had other plans and reduced the margin with a magnificent around the body goal to Andrew Bennett.
Then a brain fade by Shane Wood as the ball was to return to the middle of the ground resulted in a free kick in front of goal to Jack Larkin, who made no mistake with the attempt and reduced the lead heading into the last quarter.
By kicking two of the final three goals of the quarter and having the advantage of the wind, Watsonia was always going to have the momentum at the start of the final term.
The Saints began the quarter on fire, kicking a goal within a minute courtesy of an Andrew Bennett goal from the arc.
Then Sam Harris dribbled home a goal to level the scores.
But just as it seemed Watsonia would run away with the victory, Epping steadied to resume some control of the game.
Cameron Brown kicked a behind for the Blues and this proved decisive as Epping held on to a memorable one-point win.
Watsonia peppered the goals in the dying stages, however Epping’s defence stood tall to claim its fifth win of the season and third by under 10 points.
Final score: Epping 9.13 (67) def Watsonia 9.12 (66)
