By Tara Murray
Starting the season with a win is always good but starting it with a win against your biggest rival makes it even sweeter for Epping in the Northern Football League division 3 competition.
The Pingers started their season against Mernda, with the two teams playing for the Patrick Chow Cup.
Early it was all the Demons before the Pingers worked their way into the game.
Seven goals to one in the favour of the Pingers saw them get the win, 11.11 (77)-6.10 (46).
Pingers coach Brad Hollow said it was nice to start the season in that manner after a slow start.
“It was a tale of two halves,” he said. “Mernda came with a lot of pressure and the boys struggled with it.
“At half time we changed a couple of things. In the second half we were able to play our brand and get on top and run over the top of them.”
Hollow said the focus at half time was to get back to playing their brand of footy. He said they allowed Mernda to dedicate what they were doing in the first half.
“With their pressure we were just kicking it down the line which was not working,” he said. “We got there in the end.”
Daniel Rakhlin kicked four goals for the Pingers and was the leading goal scorer on the ground.
Hollow said Adrian Alfonsi, Michael Gillard in the ruck; and Lucas Aquilina in the middle and up forward were among the standouts. Alfonsi was awarded the Terry Bracher medal as best on ground.
Hollow said their backline was strong all day as well.
For the Demons, Christian Evans and Nick Gregson kicked two goals each. Lachlan Evans was named their best.
The Pingers have been one of the biggest movers in the off season, with a number of key signings highlighted by former Collingwood player Brent Macaffer.
Hollow said there are no easy games in this division.
“I’ve been going through a few tapes of games throughout the weekend, I think it could be anyone at this point,” he said.
“There’s a lot of clubs trying out new ideas and have recruited well. There’s always hard games and it might come down to what side you have on the day.”
The Pingers this Saturday face Laurimar, while Mernda will play the Fitzroy Stars.
Laurimar started its season with a loss to the Stars, 15.5 (95)-11.5 (71).
In other matches Lalor lost to Kilmore, 22.15 (147)-3.7 (25).
In division 1, Bundoora lost to Eltham with a shot after the siren while South Morang lost to West Preston-Lakeside.
In division 2, Whittlesea beat the Old Paradians and Thomastown lost to Panton Hill.
