EPPING stole a three-point victory in the Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 top of the ladder clash against St Mary’s at Epping Recreation Reserve in Round 8.
A Leigh Judd goal in the dying stages was enough to see his side take top spot with the 9.8 (62) to 8.11 (59) win.
The Blues are equal on points with second and third-placed sides St Mary’s and Mernda, but sit first with a superior percentage.
Tom Hughes, Shane Wood and Jaedyn Kearney were all extraordinary for the Blues with their composure, competitiveness and flare throughout the whole day.
Dillan Ronalds, Jake Dambrauskas and Daniel Dober were impressive for the visitors, who would feel they let the game slip after leading by eight points with just minutes remaining.
The NFL’s Match of the Day began in wet and scrappy conditions. Despite the strong rain, Epping was able to control the game early.
Jason Stavely opened the scoring for the Blues before Damien Walker’s put through the goal of the day, with an amazing snap from the forward pocket.
In between Stavely and Walker’s goals the Blues were inaccurate, kicking five behinds to keep the door ajar for St Mary’s.
The visitors took full advantage and goals to debutant Robert Todd and Isaac Edgar late in the term kept their side within five points at quarter time.
Epping coach Greg Whitcroft emphasised to his players to keep the ball moving forward and to kick long at the quarter time huddle.
The second quarter belonged to the Burra, putting through 3.6 and keeping Epping scoreless to take a 19-point lead into the main break.
As conditions cleared up, Dambrauskas, Todd and Dober all slotted home majors, taking advantage of Epping’s turnovers and overuse of the handball.
Epping was able to get back into the contest in the third quarter, as they took control from the centre of the ground.
Goals from Kearney and Robert Tinsley swung the momentum back into the Blues’ favour, before Dober was able to kick his second for the visitors against the run of play.
That goal was cancelled out by Kearney’s second major, as well as Peter McMahon’s first for the afternoon which handed Epping back the lead.
The last quarter was set up to be a beauty as the Blues went into three quarter time with their heads up high and two points ahead.
The last thing on Burra coach Con Borg’s mind was giving up. He reminded his side that “this is what big games are about” and he was confident they could “run them off their feet” in the final quarter.
Dambrauskas put St Mary’s ahead when he kicked his second at the four-minute mark of the quarter, before Kevin Kiernan opened his account with a quick reply at the other end.
With scores level 13 minutes into the quarter, Lachlan Potter found his way through traffic to put the visitors a goal in front as tired bodies began to show.
The Burra extended their lead by a further two behinds over the next 10 minutes, and with their defence holding up, looked on their way to victory.
However, Kiernan again took advantage of a turnover, snatching possession and putting through an opportunistic goal to cut his side’s deficit to just two points.
Soon after, Judd was able to find the ball from a stoppage in Epping’s forward 50 and convert to put his side on the top of the ladder.
The Blues held on in a frantic final three minutes, with the final siren sounding while the ball was locked inside St Mary’s attacking half.
Epping will now look to keep hold of first place when it takes on Banyule at R.J. Brockwell Reserve, while St Mary’s will look to get back on the winners’ list when it hosts winless Heidelberg West at Whatmough Park.
Final score: Epping 9.8 (62) def St Mary’s 8.11 (59)
