A five-goal to zero opening quarter set the tone as Epping took home the Patrick Chow Cup for the first time with a win over Mernda.
Opening up a 30-point lead at the first break in wet, wintery conditions, the Blues never looked like being challenged in the 12.14 (86) to 4.6 (30) result at Epping Recreation Reserve.
Epping seemingly did what it pleased in the opening quarter, with much of the possession going into the home side’s territory.
The Blues persisted with using Shane Wood as a forward following his eight-goal haul against Laurimar the previous week, and his presence allowed the likes of Chris Chilcott and Aaron Willitts to take advantage of an undersized Mernda defence.
Indeed, the Blues kicked the first six goals of the contest, with Chilcott and Willitts in particular causing headaches.
However, the Blues’ midfield work was always going to allow them to dominate, even in the tricky conditions.
Thomas Hughes was one of the Blues’ better players, and he was also able to impact on the scoreboard, while Bill Hughes and Leigh Judd were also prominent. Guneyt Ozusen was given license to run and carry on the wing, while Adrian Totino was also a handy presence.
The only mistakes Epping seemed to make in the first half was a little bit of ill-discipline creeping in, particularly in defensive 50.
Two off the ball free-kicks to Dean Delaney allowed him to kick Mernda’s only two goals of the first half – which was also a tale of Mernda’s inability to find a winning forward half target.
David Hutchinson was forced to play further up the ground at times, while the midfield’s poor ball use never allowed the likes of Nathan Thomas and Matthew Campbell to have much impact.
The third quarter was a sloppy affair, with only two goals kicked as the wet and windy weather continued to take hold.
Chilcott was able to kick his second, which was matched by a great snap at goal by Anthony Bradford. However, the writing was pretty much on the wall for this game, with the Blues leading by 41 points at the final break.
It was all Epping again in the last quarter, as its three goals to one ensured the Blues would not only win, but give themselves a percentage boost. Chilcott kicked his third, while Wood and Willitts again got on the scoreboard to give Epping a 56-point win.
The Blues were far too dominant on the day, and seemingly had five of the best six players on the ground. Christian Cawsey and Krys Douglas gave everything against the tide for Mernda, while Les Adams, Bradford, Hutchinson and Delaney played with passion.
It was a day to savour, however, for Epping, who added the Patrick Chow Cup to its trophy cabinet after waiting for over a year to win it off the Demons, who had held it after a 25-point triumph in Round 1 last year.
Epping now enjoy two weeks off, with a bye following the representative break. As for the Demons, it’s back to the drawing board as they play cross-town neighbour Laurimar for the first time.
Final score: Epping 12.14 (86) def Mernda 4.6 (30)
