LOSSES by Epping and Watsonia saw both fall a game and percentage behind ladder-leader South Morang in Round 12 action of Division 3.
Epping was unable to reproduce the form that enabled it to overcome South Morang in Round 11 – going down to St Mary’s by 18 points at Epping Recreation Reserve last week.
The Burra gained the decisive break with a flurry of goals in quick time in the second term. It proved to be a decisive break in a low-scoring encounter.
The Blues chipped away at the deficit in the second half, but poor ball use in the third term resulted in them never looking likely to win.
St Mary’s was one team to excel after the bye and the win helped ease some of the pain of its Round 10 loss by the narrowest of margins to Reservoir.
The wide open spaces of the Epping ground suited the Burra’s running game and Nick Dean continued his good form in the ruck.
“It was the first time we stuck to our game plan for four quarters,” delighted St Mary’s coach Con Borg said. “We played to our strengths.”
Daniel Moore was best for the Blues and managed three goals. 23rd man Kyle Hedderick kicked a goal, while Joel Tolli was 23rd man for St Mary’s.
“The gap between our best and worst footy is too big,” lamented Epping coach Steve Power. “We have to work to close the gap.”
South Morang drew away from Heidelberg West after a close first half at Mill Park Lakes Reserve to win by 65 points. The game was a snapshot of the Hawks’ season to date – competitive early without winning, but struggling of late.
Dan Bailey and Brad Moore would be neck and neck in the Hawks’ best and fairest count – and were both good again on Saturday. They need some team mates to step up if they are to break through for a win.
Daniel Watson had a breakout game for the Lions with five majors, while Ben Howlett returned to his excellent early season form.
Reservoir dominated Watsonia for most of the day at Crispe Park and eventually ran out victorious by 37 points. The margin may have been greater had it not been for the Saints’ accuracy in front of goal with 11.3.
The win by the Mustangs was a critical one and helped atone for the bad loss to Banyule in the previous round. The win puts them just one game behind Watsonia and Epping, but both those teams have played one less game than the Mustangs.
Reservoir goes to the bye two games clear of fifth placed St Mary’s. It will journey to Heidelberg Park in Round 14 full of confidence when it takes on Heidelberg West.
St Mary’s also plays its next game at Heidelberg Park against Heidelberg West in Round 13 action of Division 3 football.
After such a big win over a flag fancy in Epping, the Burra will start warm favourites to beat the Hawks. However, they just barely fell over the line in their most recent clash in Round 7.
Banyule comes off the bye and plays Epping at Epping Recreation Reserve.
The Bears need to be able to beat top four teams on a regular basis if they are to challenge for a finals berth. To date they have beaten the bottom side twice and recently had a big win over Reservoir.
The only previous match between Epping and Banyule was a thriller at Beverley Road Reserve in Round 6, when the Blues came from behind at the last break to win by 11 points.
Epping can strengthen its claim on the double chance if it can bounce back from the shock loss to St Mary’s.
The match of the day occurs at A.K. Lines Reserve where Watsonia hosts South Morang. The winner of this game would have claimed top spot – had the Saints not stumbled against Reservoir in Round 12.
As it is, Watsonia can draw level on wins with the Lions but is currently 37 percent behind the league leaders. Depending upon other results, South Morang could find itself two games clear on top with a victory.
In their previous meeting this year, at the same ground, the Lions ran away after quarter time to win by 51 points, when Paul Harrison booted seven goals.
