South Morang booked a spot in the Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 grand final with an eight-point preliminary final victory over Epping at the Whittlesea Showgrounds.
The Lions were able to overcome a small quarter-time deficit to win 8.14 (62) to 8.6 (54), setting up an exciting grand final match-up with Banyule.
The result broke the Lions’ recent preliminary final curse, having lost on this weekend in each of the past three seasons.
After trailing by two goals at three quarter time, a fast start by Epping in the final quarter brought scores level within the opening 10 minutes.
However, a late major from Lachlan Buckley was enough to advance South Morang into the premiership decider for the first time since 2011.
Mitch Buckley, Anthony Capeci (three goals) and Daniel Caruso were best in the win, with each making important contributions to help their side bounce back from last week’s second semi final defeat – its first under Gary Hall.
Tom Hughes, Bill Hughes and Daniel Moore were best for Epping, while Aaron Willitts’ efforts in the forward 50 ensured his side was never out of the contest, kicking four of his side’s eight goals for the day.
The pressure of finals was evident right from the first bounce with both sides playing tough contested football, with no easy kicks to be had.
Willitts converted from a tough angle to kick the first major of the game, before Chris Chilcott kicked a goal of equal difficulty to give the Blues a strong start in the early stages.
South Morang took a little while to adjust to the game but looked more comfortable after Nathan Tassell rewarded some great midfield work by his teammates to reduce the margin to single figures midway through the term.
Trailing by five points heading at the first break, the Lions made their move during the second quarter.
Anthony Capeci led the charge as he kicked three of the next four goals, including a brilliant effort from the boundary line, to put the Lions 19 points ahead entering time-on.
A Josh Stavley major late in the quarter steadied the ship for Epping and reduced his side’s deficit to 13 points at the main break.
The Blues came firing out of the blocks in the third term as they looked to respond to a disappointing second quarter.
Willitts converted his second for the afternoon soon after the restart before Kevin Kiernan capped his fantastic contested mark with a goal to bring the margin to just one point.
South Morang was able to wrestle back the momentum soon after however, despite some inaccuracy in front of goal.
The Lions kicked 2.6 for the quarter, with majors from Luke Shelton and Lachlan Buckley giving their side a 12-point buffer at three quarter time.
Epping again kicked the first two goals of the quarter in the last, which included Willitts’ fourth for to level proceedings and make for a grandstand finish.
In a tense finish, it was South Morang’s leading goal kicker Alex Colaidis that kicked the winner to send the minor premier into the grand final.
Final score: South Morang 8.14 (62) def Epping 8.6 (54)
