Macleod registered its second win in a row defeating the reigning Division 2 premiers Epping in a dominant display at De Winton Park on Saturday.
The Roos burst out of the blocks to kick the opening five goals which led them on their way to an emphatic win 16.18 (114) to 10.9 (69).
Both teams were in need of the four points to keep in touch with the top five and avoid the relegation scrap but Macleod came out on top.
The home side dominated the first term with quick, slick ball movement and crisp passing. Its defensive pressure inside forward 50 was outstanding, rarely allowing Epping to neither kick the ball out of it nor register a mark inside it.
Matthew Veszpremi got the ball rolling for the Roos kicking the first goal inside the opening minute. This was the start of a caving of the Epping defence. They simply could not handle the forward pressure Macleod was piling onto them.
Michael Sayers booted the Roos’ third after intercepting a terrible switch kick from the Blues. Goals to Justin White, Cathal Corr and Richard Andrew saw Macleod go into the second quarter with a comfortable 27-point lead.
Although it was an all-Macleod quarter, Epping’s first goal came from Luke Lirosi who took a courageous mark in the dying stages of the term to give the visitors a glimmer of hope.
Epping started positively in the second term, kicking two straight and had the momentum after leaking a goal earlier. But Macleod hit back through Matthew Pow.
The Roos were creating opportunities but couldn’t capitalise. They still headed into the second half with a 20-point buffer.
They call the third term the premiership quarter and Macleod showed why, kicking 7.3 to Epping’s 2.0 in the third term. White started the avalanche kicking the first two of the term in the opening minutes.
Corr chipped in with one of his own after controlling the midfield. Two more goals in the space of two minutes saw Macleod lead the Blues by 47 midway through the quarter. Epping did kick two straight in the space of a minute before Macleod stretched the lead 53 points heading into the final term.
Patrick Martin was dominating the midfield, getting clearance after clearance and also kicking a major along with Corr. White was just unstoppable kicking three of his five goals in the third quarter.
Macleod kept the momentum in the final term kicking clear to a 62-point lead with five minutes remaining. But three late goals by Epping, including a 60m bomb from Lirosi, saw the margin ease to a 46-point win to the Roos.
Martin, White and Corr were Macleod’s standouts whilst Liam Brandt, Shannan Ciavarella and Brenton Keating were the Pingers’ best.
Macleod now takes on Bundoora in a tough away clash whilst Epping makes the short trip to West Preston in a must win for both teams.
Final score: Macleod 16.18 (114) def Epping 10.9 (69)
