In an early candidate for the best game of season 2013, the Eagles’ win leaves them as the only remaining unbeaten side in Division 2.
After the first three quarters were virtually even, some last quarter brilliance from Brenton Briffa would provide the inspiration for the Eagles.
The favourite leading into the game, Whittlesea did not have it all its own way.
Mernda started off strongly and opened with a goal from Shane Martin, before adding another a few minutes later to move 11 points in front.
They were the only two goals the Demons would kick for the quarter as Ben Tsakamakis and Scott McAuliffe started to take control for Whittlesea. The duo fed the ball well to allow entries forward which favoured Whittlesea’s two big men, Andrew Fairchild and Paul Harrison.
Whittlesea dominated the late stages of the quarter but inaccurate kicking left the visitor only 15 points ahead after the first change, leading 4.6 (30) to 2.3 (15).
Mernda needed to respond to stay in touch and captain Rohan Davies lead from the front. He was well supported by Jesse Owens-Draper and the returning Luke Thorneycroft, playing his first game for three years.
With Krys Douglas repelling Whittlesea’s attacks and helping to set up Mernda’s own thrusts forward, Mernda was able to kick four goals to Whittlesea’s solitary major in the second quarter to take a two-point lead into half time.
With the game hanging on a knife’s edge, the third quarter threatened to become the Keegan Dingo show. The Northern Territory recruit kicked a couple of quick goals to extend Mernda’s lead to 13 points early in the term as a major upset brewed.
However, the premiership favourite would respond once again, and hauled itself back in front by the end of the third quarter – pinching a one-point lead into the last break.
Whittlesea needed a match winner to kick away from a brave Mernda outfit and the solution would come in the form of Brenton Briffa.
Briffa seemingly brought his own ball to the last quarter party. He won a multitude of clearances and fed his forwards well as the Eagles broke away from the Demons with four of the five final-quarter goals.
As a result, they record an impressive 14.16 (100) to 12.10 (82) victory – the Demons kicking 1.5 in the final quarter as key forward Andrew Smith missed a few opportunities to bring his club back into the game.
However, Mernda was far from disgraced and will take heart from matching it all the way with the Eagles.
For the victors, Tsakamakis was best on ground, ably supported by McAullife, Briffa, Roy Dyson, Harrison and Marcus Webb. Owens-Draper would prove to be Mernda’s best for the afternoon, along with Davies, Douglas, Dingo and Nathan Mills.
The win holds the Eagles in good stead ahead of their trip to Lalor Reserve to take on the Bloods this week. The Demons, in the meantime, play a second consecutive game at home when they take on South Morang at Schotters Road, which provides an opportunity to bounce back from a tight loss.
Final score: Mernda 12.10 (82) def by Whittlesea 14.16 (100)
