EPPING established an early lead over South Morang and was never headed in Round 3 action of Division 3 at Epping Recreation Reserve.
Although the quarter by quarter scores indicate a game that was in control for the Blues the entire day, they were strongly challenged by the Lions after the main break.
Trailing by 26 points at half time, South Morang booted the first three majors in the third term to reduce the deficit to nine points. At that stage, a close finish seemed likely.
Epping needed someone to spark it back into action. The spark came in the form of the Midas Greensborough Player of the Day, Thomas Hughes.
When he baulked an opponent and showed great composure to kick a goal, the Blues lifted.
Including Hughes’ goal, Epping slammed on six unanswered goals either side of three quarter time to put the game beyond doubt.
By that time, its lead had blown out to an unassailable 48 points. South Morang scored the final three goals of the game, but it was too little too late.
It would have disappointed South Morang coach Craig Lambert that his team was not able to stem the six-goal onslaught after the Lions had looked likely to challenge strongly.
“Epping just wanted it more than we did,” Lambert said post match.
However, there were some positives for South Morang. Recruits Luke Shelton and David Berryman excelled, while former Bundoora player Simon Crump booted five goals from limited opportunities.
Epping won the clearances convincingly. Ruckman Joel Carter, who missed the entire 2014 season with injury, dominated the tap-outs and gave his talented mosquito fleet first use of the ball.
Aiding Hughes at ground level were Leigh Judd and Josh Stavely with lots of quality possessions.
Multiple best and fairest winner Daniel Moore impressed again and was especially good early in the game when it was up for grabs.
“The boys took the ANZAC spirit out onto the ground,” a happy Epping coach Steve Power said. “The tackle count was great and we worked for each other.”
Chris Chilcott continued his good work up front with a bag of five goals. His set shot kicking was a delight for the large local crowd to watch.
Thomas Emmins was useful in his debut game for the Blues and dished out a great handball to Judd in the second term for the easiest of goals.
Blue Michael Robertson was given the task to mind powerful South Morang forward Paul Harrison and performed admirably.
Shane Wood followed up his good form in recent weeks with another top performance in defence. He regularly timed his leap to punch the ball away from the South Morang forwards and also provided run off half back.
The game began with a moving ANZAC Day ceremony which included a trumpeter playing the Last Post, a war veteran shaking hands with the players and the national anthem.
All the Epping senior players attended the dawn service at the Epping RSL. A special commemorative polo top was worn by the Epping officials and was a fitting gesture for the occasion.
The Lions now have a bye before hosting St Mary’s at Mill Park Lakes Reserve in Round 5. The bye may help them to regain some players back from injury.
Epping next travels to Heidelberg Park to play Heidelberg West, who finished within two points of South Morang in its most recent match before a bye in Round 3.
Final scores: Epping 15.13 (103) def South Morang 11.8 (74)
