Epping pulled off a surprise win against Banyule in Northern Football League division 2 at the weekend.
Having been promoted just weeks before the season kicked off, the Pingers weren’t expecting success early on.
On Saturday though, they were able to hold off Banyule, which kept coming at them all day.
The Pingers won 10.8 (68)-9.12 (66).
Pingers coach Greg Whitcroft said despite a good record against the Bears in recent years, the win was unexpected.
He said they had won five out of the past six clashes between the sides, but most of them had been decided by less than a goal.
“We’re rapt,” he said. “I’m glad they got a win early in the season.
“There’s a very excited bunch of young players. We didn’t expect to get a win so early in the new competition.
“We led all day and knowing they won the flag [division 3] last year, we always knew they would come for us.
“We fought really hard in the last 10 minutes and were able to keep the ball in our forward line and kick a goal late.”
Whitcroft said he was pleased with how they ran with the ball all day and that the young backline held up when they were under siege.
Christopher Chilcott kicked three goals for the Pingers, with Reed Jepson and Leigh Judd named the side’s best.
The Pingers were promoted just weeks before the season, because Lalor requested to drop a division due to the loss of a number of players.
“The senior guys haven’t missed a training session and are trying to get better as a team,” Whitcroft said.
“They still want to get the four points and we didn’t know when it would come.”
Whitcroft said they hoped this victory would give them confidence that they can match it at this level.
This week the Pingers face Fitzroy Stars.
Meanwhile, a poor first half proved costly for Thomastown against Eltham.
The Bears trailed by 54 points at the main break before eventually losing 19.12 (126)-9.9 (63).
In division 1, Whittlesea lost to Northcote Park, while reigning premiers Bundoora lost a second straight game.
In division 3, South Morang and Mernda had wins, while Lalor and Laurimar both suffered losses.
