Tara Murray
Epping was made to work hard for the points against Reservoir in the Northern Football League division 3 competition on Saturday.
The Pingers entered the match as favourites, but didn’t have things all their own way despite what the scoreboard showed.
The Pingers led by 31 points at quarter time and were able to increase the lead in every quarter to come away with a 19.9 (123)-9.3 (57) win.
Coach Brad Hollow was fairly happy with the result.
“We had a good weekend with both our senior and reserves sides getting wins,” he said. “The boys played well even though we had a few out.
“We rested a couple of guys with injuries to get through the next few weeks.
“Reservoir never stopped all day and made us work hard.”
Adrian Alfonsi kicked seven goals in a best on ground performance for the Pingers. Hollow said it was one of his better games this season and they’d been waiting for him to do something like this.
He was also impressed with the skipper, Leigh Judd.
“He’s getting back into form,” Hollow said. “He’s had some good games and we wanted to get him around the ball a bit more.”
The win moves the Pingers to 5-4. They sit sixth, just percentage outside the top five at the King’s Birthday weekend bye.
Hollow said they had hoped to be a bit higher.
“We lost a few games that we shouldn’t have lost,” he said. “We’re still in a good spot.”
Hollow said they expected to be stronger in the back half of the season.
He said they expected to get some of their long term injured players back as well.
“It’s been about getting an understanding of what we are looking at and getting everyone on the same page,” he said.
“We’ve got so many new players from different clubs. I’m still getting to know everyone.
“We are getting there slowly, it’s a good time to have a break.”
In other results, Mernda got home in a thriller against Fitzroy Stars, winning 10.7 (67)-10.6 (66).
Old Paradians also won a thriller, beating Old Eltham Collegians, 8.10 (58)-7.12 (54).
Lalor fell just short in getting its third win of the season, losing to Kinglake 9.11 (65)-8.5 (53).
In division 1, Bundoora lost to Macleod while in division 2, Thomastown beat St Mary’s, Whilttesea remains undefeated after beating Northcote Park, South Morang snuck home against Diamond Creek and Laurimar lost to Watsonia.
