Epping withstood a spirited fightback by St Mary’s to record a nail-biting three-point win in the opening round of Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3.
Trailing by 40 points late in the third term, the Burra dominated the latter stages of the game at Whatmough Park.
A brilliant running goal under pressure by James Boarotto reduced the margin to three points at the 28-minute mark of the final quarter.
The siren rang as the clock reach 30:00 – much to the relief of the entire Epping team, who held on for a 13.5 (83) to 12.8 (80) win.
“For two and a half quarters we used the ball well, then we stopped….and St Mary’s came good,” Epping coach Greg Whitcroft said.
Aaron Willitts was instrumental in setting up Epping’s lead. He scored four goals and missed another two gettable shots. At half time, Jordan Dupont replaced Lee Minuz as Willitts’ opponent.
Dupont could not be blamed for Willitts sole second half goal – which came as a result of a 50-metre penalty.
Con Borg also made other second half moves. Nick Dean went to centre half back, while ex-Reservoir and Glenroy player Leigh Sullivan spent some time in the ruck.
Andrew Luzza, recruited from West Preston-Lakeside, kicked Epping’s first and last goals. In between, his decision making with the ball in hand was exemplary.
Alec Buchan was one of the few four-quarter players for the Blues and took several intercept marks in the final stanza.
Glen Widdicombe arrived at Epping from Therry Penola and did well in his debut game.
Epping dominated the first half, but wasted some chances early. In retrospect, their second term score of four goals to two into a slight breeze probably won them the game.
At the quarter time break, St Mary’s coach Con Borg informed his players that they were playing too safe and urged them to take the game on.
It took the Burra players until late in the third term to fully follow their coach’s instructions – but when they did, they almost pulled off a miracle win.
Had it been a pre-season practice game, one could’ve been forgiven that the teams swapped jumpers late in the third term. From that time on, St Mary’s began playing like Epping had played earlier in the game.
Myles Guldon was prominent in the comeback – with three second-half goals to finish with four for the match.
His snap from wide out just before the three quarter time siren was a ripper and seemed to give his team a lift. He booted another – working within tight confines – late in the game.
The final term revival took time to get going for the Burra. They had only clawed back two goals in the opening 13 minutes.
When Andrew Luzza broke a tackle and kicked truly for Epping at the 17-minute mark to establish a 26-point gap, the game appeared to be over.
But the St Mary’s players dug deep. Dillan Ronalds finished the game strongly, as did the busy Daniel Castagnini. The team slammed on four unanswered goals in the last 10 minutes.
Late in the contest, the Blues were only attempting to force stoppage after stoppage.
In review, Burra coach Con Borg lamented his team’s poor start to the match.
“We were lazy and didn’t run for two and a half quarters. We played 35 minutes of footy. Credit to Epping, they defended us well,” he said.
St Mary’s now has a three week break to its next game, with a bye followed by the Easter break. The Burra then host Banyule at Whatmough Park.
Coincidentally, Banyule is also the next opponent for Epping. They meet on Saturday at R.J. Brockwell Oval.
Final score: St Mary’s 12.8 (80) def by Epping 13.5 (83)
