The game was an epic struggle for three quarters with never more than 14 points between the two sides before the Blues piled on seven goals to three in the final term for an 18.18 (126) to 13.7 (85).
For the second week in a row Matthew Garland moved forward and proved the hero. After dominating off half back, Garland pushed forward in the last and booted two goals to seal the match.
Daniel Moore was instrumental and was the dominant big man on the field. His dominance around the ground enabled midfielders Luke Lirosi and Brenton Keating to find plenty of ball at ground level, with Lirosi’s pace a decisive factor in the game.
Fitzroy Stars were well served by youngsters Jye Brennan and Jai Burns who provided silk and poise all day, while Lionel Proctor and James Dau worked hard at half back and repelled well out of defensive 50.
But the Stars lacked potency up forward with prominent forwards Patrick Davis and John Hayes restricted to just three goals for the day.
Conversely, Epping was able to hit the scoreboard with greater ease as Garland booted four and Willitts and Matt Dornauf were able to take big grabs when it counted.
Willitts could have sealed the game earlier, but with his radar off target, he was only able to kick a wasteful 2.4.
Epping started the game well and shot out to a 13-point lead in the opening eight minutes with early goals to Garland and Dornauf.
But after looking shell-shocked early, Fitzroy Stars got back into the game with increased tackling pressure and intensity at the ball.
They kicked the next two goals through Jai Burns and Tyson Lovett-Murray and levelled the scores at 15 apiece at quarter time.
Again, Epping started the second quarter in blistering form and raced out to a 14-point lead after heading inside 50m eight times in the opening five minutes of the term.
But as they did in the opening stanza, Fitzroy again rallied when it looked to be in serious trouble.
The Stars began to dominant through the middle of the ground with Proctor and Brennan involved in everything. The visitors kicked four goals in eight minutes to take a nine-point lead.
That lead could have extended further but for John Hayes’ 50m shot on the run being touched on the goal line.
The momentum then swung back Epping’s way with Peter McMahon reducing the margin back to three points with a long goal with five minutes remaining in the term.
Daniel Haynes then bobbed up with two goals in the final minute of the half – the second coming after the half time siren – to give the Blues a nine-point lead at the main break.
Neither side could land a decisive blow in the third term, sharing four goals apiece to leave Epping 13 points in front at three-quarter time.
Josh Wanganeen booted a wonderful 45m running goal midway through the quarter to level the scores, but again it was late goals that swung the lead Epping’s way with Harley Nancarrow and Willitts scoring majors.
Allan Norris kicked a miraculous goal over his head to close the margin to just six points at the beginning of the final term, but it was as close as the Stars would get.
With Willitts marking everything and Garland at his opportunistic best, the Blues piled on seven of the next nine goals to runaway with a 41-point win – the final lead the highest margin of the game.
Epping now travels to Ben Frilay Oval for a clash with bottom-placed Hurstbridge, while Fitzroy Stars face another stern test when they take on third-placed Diamond Creek.
Final score: Epping 18.18 (126) def Fitzroy Stars 13.7 (85)
