Hawks steal it late


Published on Sunday, May 28, 2017

Author : Doug Long

Heidelberg West upset Epping in a thriller at Epping Recreation Reserve to displace the Blues from the Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 top four.

A goal to Jayden Shirreff in the last minute handed the Hawks a 15.20 (110) to 16.10 (106) win, to see the Hawks move into fourth place and the Blues slip to fifth.

Jarryd Coulson dominated in the ruck for the victors and finished off his work with a last term goal.

Epping had first use of the three-goal breeze and got a few easy goals when they broke through the Hawks’ defensive lines. But the game-high 27-point quarter time lead belied the closeness of the general contest.

Heidelberg West seemed to have wasted its time with the wind in the second term – trailing by 25 points late in time on. However, two outstanding passages of play narrowed the margin.

Zach Tranter booted three of his four goals in the second term. For his third he took a one-handed mark, dodged an opponent and kicked truly.

Soon after Jesse Ellis affected a smother, retrieved the ball, ran on and booted a marvellous left foot goal. It sent his team to the main break with momentum and only a 13 point deficit.

The Hawks peppered the goals after the main break into the wind and hit the lead for the first time just before midway through the stanza.

The goal to grab the lead was set up by a creative handball by the busy Brad Moore to Cameron Taylor – who was excellent across the midfield and half forward in his return from Northcote Park.

The loss of the lead seemed to spark Epping into action. Kevin Kiernan slotted his third for the afternoon to regain the lead.

The game went up a notch. Forward pressure from Heidelberg West forwards created an easy goal for Brad McNeil.

Aaron Willitts responded with a major for the Blues before a scuffle broke out which resulted in a yellow card for each team, plus a red card for Kiernan. Taylor goaled from the incident to send Heidelberg West into the last break with a narrow lead.

A pulsating final term saw four lead changes. Kicking against the breeze and with a deficit of nine oints early in the final term, Adrian Totino – one of his team’s best – sparked things for Epping.

He goaled after a give and get handball to Thomas Hughes. From the next centre bounce, he goaled from another handball receive.Jack Marris later kicked his second of the term to put the Hawks in front.

Corey Middleton was getting better as the game wore on for Epping and caused another lead change when he goaled from the square. At that stage, the Blues appeared to have ‘got out of jail’ in a game where the Hawks had done enough to justify the win.

But Shirreff pounced on an Epping turnover deep in defence in the final minute to seal the deal. The siren rang soon after – signalling the best win for Heidelberg West for several years and jubilant celebrations followed.

“It was reward for effort,” Heidelberg coach Gary Cutler said in reviewing the game.

“It was good for the boys to beat a good side – it showed what we are capable of.”

Epping coach Greg Whitcroft lamented a patchy performance. “We appeared to be flat and lacked intensity,” he said. “We had minimal chase-downs and minimal tackles.”

Both teams face tough assignments next up. Heidelberg West hosts top-placed neighbour Banyule at Heidelberg Park. Epping travels to Mill Park Lakes Reserve to take on South Morang.

Final score: Epping 16.10 (106) def by Heidelberg West 15.20 (110)

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