RESERVOIR moved one step closer to a top-two finish, recording its fifth-straight victory with a 20-point triumph over Epping at Epping Recreation Reserve in Round 17.
Despite a strong start by the home side, the Mustangs fired back and produced some great passages of play to set up a 14.9 (93) to 10.13 (73) to victory.
The win puts Reservoir one game and percentage clear of Watsonia and Epping in second place as it looks to go one better than last year’s runner-up finish.
Epping’s loss keeps it in fourth place on the ladder. With a big game against ladder-leader South Morang next week and an away game at Banyule to follow, it will be difficult for the Blues to secure a top-two finish.
Epping started the game well in the first quarter. Lucas Aquilina kicked the first of the game, before two majors from Kevin Kiernan and a Kyle Turnbull goal stretched the home side’s lead to 22 points.
Joel Buckley and Kent Beaumont both slotted home goals to reduce Reservoir’s deficit to 11 points at quarter time.
Reservoir coach Ross Terranova was disappointed with his side’s performance in the first term. In his quarter-time address, he told his troops to play man on man all over the ground and to compose themselves when they had possession.
The tables were turned in the second quarter. Despite Kiernan kicking his third goal, the Mustangs then piled on five unanswered goals – led by three majors from Ash Flavel and two from Ben Ryan.
The Epping defence struggled to handle the Mustangs’ dangerous forwards and by half time the visitors had snatched a nine-point advantage.
The third quarter was an even contest as both sides put enormous pressure on the opposition.
Kiernan quickly kicked his fourth for the home side to push Epping back in front. However, a costly defensive turnover resulted in Judd Darby kicking his first for the day.
The game continued to keep all spectators on their toes as Flavel kicked his fourth, not long before Josh Stavely responded for the Blues.
Kane Reid was able to kick an important goal late in the term to give last year’s beaten grand finalists a 15-point lead at three-quarter time.
In the three-quarter time huddle, Epping coach Steve Power still had lots of faith in his side’s ability to win the match and instructed his players to back their run and to play on at all costs.
However, Reservoir started on top in the final quarter. A crumbing goal from Toby O’Meara, Kent Beaumont’s second major and a David McGregor goal extended the visitors’ lead to 33 points and extinguished any hope of an Epping fight back.
The Mustangs then missed two very gettable shots which could have proved costly when Christian Janev, Thomas Emmins and Shane Wood all scored majors in quick succession to reduce the margin to 14 points.
Despite this, time was against the home side as a late Marc Defelice major sealed the deal and gave Reservoir its 10th win of the season.
Ash Flavel was again superb for Reservoir. Backing up his five goals against Banyule last week, he was able to help his side to victory by adding a further four goals to his tally. Michael Mannix and Adam Meroli were also influential.
For Epping, Kevin Kiernan performed well with four goals. Shane Wood was also very important for the home side, taking many contested marks in the defensive 50 and Leigh Judd put in a solid display.
Final score: Epping 10.13 (73) def by Reservoir 14.9 (93)
