EPPING pushed into third place on the Division 3 ladder with a convincing 31-point win over Watsonia at A.K. Lines Reserve.
Responding to last week’s Anzac Day loss against South Morang, the Blues kicked five third-quarter goals to build the 12.17 (89) to 7.16 (58) victory.
Inaccuracy hurt Watsonia, kicking just six goals from 19 scoring shots after quarter time as it slipped to fourth place, behind Epping on percentage.
Epping’s win was soured by an injury to David Little late in the game, which required him to be taken off the ground on a stretcher.
The first quarter was a competitive one. Watsonia was able to find the opening goal against the wind through Hayden Mitchell. Epping then used the wind to its advantage with both Chris Chilcott and Robert Tinsley finding the big sticks from long distances.
Despite having the wind, the Blues couldn’t capitalise completely, kicking seven behinds to add to their two goals as they headed into quarter time leading by 10 points.
Epping coach Greg Whitcroft was happy with some aspects of his side’s game at the quarter time huddle, but didn’t get complacent and told his team to “apply enormous pressure” and to not “give the opposition any space”.
In the second quarter, the visitors were able to benefit from Watsonia’s poor disposal efficiency.
Goals from Kevin Kiernan and Jason Stavely both came from Saints turnovers, while soon after Corey Middleton added another to extend the Blues’ lead to 26 points midway through the second quarter.
The home side was able to respond with goals from captain Matthew Crompton and Andrew Bennett, but inaccuracy at goal and a high turnover count saw the Saints head into half time trailing by 13 points.
Watsonia was on the front foot early in the third term. Against the wind, the Saints dominated possession and had many inside 50 entries.
But inaccuracy was again the problem for the home side, as they could only manage 1.4 in the first 10 minutes of the quarter.
Epping pounced on the Saints’ missed opportunity, kicking five unanswered goals to break the game open. During this period Shane Wood was nothing less than extraordinary in the Blues defensive 50, marking everything that came his way.
Jeremy Bennett got a goal back late in the term for the Saints but the damage was done as the Blues led by 29 points at the final change.
Watsonia coach Corey McCall was disappointed with his team’s effort, but injected belief into his players as he repeated “the game is far from over” in his three-quarter-time-address.
A competitive 10 minutes opened the final quarter. Watsonia kept its hopes of a come from behind victory alive with goals to Jordan Brown and Jack Larkin to reduce the margin to 20 points.
However, that was as close as it got for the Saints as Middleton and Kiernan’s second goals of the afternoon put the icing on the cake as the Blues stormed home to collect a 31-point win.
Kiernan and Jason Stavely were impressive for the Blues, while Wood was vital down back. Andrew Bennett and Hayden Mitchell were best in defeat for the Saints.
Epping will look to begin a winning streak when it takes on bottom-placed Heidelberg West at Epping Recreation Reserve in Round 6, while Watsonia faces another tough opponent in South Morang who is coming off two wins on the trot.
Final score: Watsonia 7.16 (58) def by Epping 12.17 (89)
