Epping’s young playing group will take the lessons learned in Saturday’s Northern Football League division 3 grand final loss into next year and the future.
The Pingers had 12 players under 20, and that proved the difference against an experienced Reservoir side.
The Mustangs’ wiser heads prevailed, and the 15.9 (99) – 10.10 (70) victory gave Reservoir its first premiership since 1984.
A six-goal burst late in the second quarter put the Mustangs on top and from then on they were in control.
Pingers football operations manager Stephen Petruccelle had nothing but praise for his side.
“It was an even competition and it didn’t matter whether you finished first or fourth you could go deep into finals,” he said.
“We’re so proud of our team … we have probably 10 or 15 players with between 20 and 30 games of experience over the last two years.
“Credit to Reservoir they came out well. They were very experienced and older and had wiser heads and bigger bodies.”
After coming from 61 points down to beat Watsonia in the semi-finals, Petruccelle said the Pingers felt they could win the premiership.
“The boys gave it a real crack, but it wasn’t good enough,” he said.
Petruccelle praised the work of the defenders who stood up against the constant attacking forays from the Mustangs.
“Shane Wood at centre half-back and Peter McMahon at full-back were sensational,” he said.
“Mitch Henwood and Leigh Judd were also really good.”
Petruccelle also praised two others at the club and their efforts throughout the year and in the grand final.
“Our co-captain Daniel Moore had his knee scraped three weeks ago and he worked hard and ticked all the boxes to play in the grand final,” he said.
“He kicked four goals and I don’t know how he did it.
“Long-time team manager Col Bartlett is sensational every week sitting on the bench.
“He’s an absolute legend of the club and his encouragement of the younger players helps them heaps.”
The loss means the Pingers will be in division 3 for another season after being relegated last season.
“It’s only up from here,” Petruccelle said.
“There’s so much potential for us to develop into a really good side.”
