EPPING produced its best performance of the season, snatching second spot off Mernda after romping to a 58-point victory over the Demons at Waterview Recreation Reserve.
A six-goal to zero first term set up an impressive 13.11 (89) to 4.7 (31) victory, reversing a 25-point defeat when the sides met in the opening round of the Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 season.
The Demons have now lost two of their past three games and have slipped from top spot in Round 4 to third position at the end of Round 7.
Leigh Judd, Corey Middleton and Shane Wood were all magnificent for the visitors, displaying great run and carry and clean disposal. Jake Stavrevski was the bright light on a dark day for the home side.
Epping opened the game kicking with the wind and was able to take the advantage early. Chris Chilcott, in particular, had a dream start kicking the opening two goals in quick succession.
Further goals from Tom Sullivan, Tom Hughes and Kevin Kiernan extended the lead for the visitors, before Chilcott’s third for the term capped off a quality quarter as the visitors went into quarter time leading by 38 points.
Epping coach Greg Whitcroft was satisfied with his team at the quarter time break, but didn’t get complacent and told his troops to “not think that the job is done yet”.
Against the wind, Epping continued to dominate possession in the second quarter. A poor kick out from the home side resulted in Josh Stavely kicking his first goal for the afternoon before Damien Walker slotted a major to extend the Blues lead to eight goals.
After a quarter and 15 minutes, Liam Gray was finally able to kick the Demons’ first goal of the game, but it did little to improve his side’s performance thereafter.
The home side then gifted Aaryn Gibson his first goal of the season after giving way two 50m penalties. The resulting major gave Epping a comfortable 46-point lead at the main break.
In the third term, the Blues continued to control of the game. Leigh Judd won a two-on-one contest to set up Corey Middleton for a goal before Jaedyn Kearney scored his first for the afternoon.
Mernda then began showing a little more fight but still couldn’t execute cleanly by foot.
David Hutchinson kicked the Demons’ second for the match before Shane Wood replied quickly for the visitors as they went into three quarter time 65 points ahead.
Mernda coach Jason Ford was less than impressed with his side’s efforts at the three quarter time huddle. Ford urged his team to show more passion and to “put some respect back on the scoreboard” in the final term.
A quiet quarter followed in the last. Mernda opened the scoring through Jesse Owens-Draper and Dean Delaney.
However, the home side couldn’t do anything more with the wind in its favour as Stavely kicked his second major to put the icing on the cake for his side.
Epping goes into the bye full of confidence before facing St Mary’s in a top of the table clash at Epping Recreation Reserve. Mernda will look to regroup before travelling to J.J. Clancy Reserve to play Kilmore.
Final score: Mernda 4.7 (31) def by Epping 13.11 (89)
