Epping’s self-belief is growing as its players dream of premiership glory in Northern Football League division 3.
Having finished fourth, the Pingers have defeated Watsonia and South Morang in the finals on the way to a grand final match-up with Reservoir.
On Saturday, the Pingers didn’t feel they were home against South Morang until the final siren went.
After leading at three-quarter-time, the Pingers trailed for most of the last quarter.
A goal to Shannan Ciavarella in the final
30 seconds gave the Pingers a 7.11 (53) – 5.18 (48) win.
Epping coach Steve Power said the second half of the last quarter was a nerve-racking affair.
“It virtually came down to the last kick of the day,” Power said.
“South Morang had a lot of ball in their 50 in the final quarter and couldn’t covert.
“From midway through the last quarter, our defence was under the pump and they did a really good job. We were able to force a free kick in front of goal and we all wanted the siren to go then.”
Power said he had full faith in Ciavarella’s ability to kick the goal.
“We knew Shannan was going to kick the goal,” he said. “I spoke to him after the game and, like me, he wanted the siren to go. He said it was a boyhood dream to kick the goal to get his side into a grand final.”
Jayden Kearney was the only multiple goalscorer for the Pingers with two.
“He did the job on Luke Shelton after he got a lot of the ball early on,” Power said. “He got forward and kicked a couple of goals. Our leaders were really good, too.”
For the Lions, Paul Harrison kicked two goals and Shelton was named their best player.
A win in the grand final would mean the Pingers would return to division 2 after a single season in division 3.
“We were disappointed last year as a football club, as we’d done so much work over the last 18 months,” Power said.
“We won five games last year, which would have been enough for us to avoid relegation this year.
“A lot of kids have been given an opportunity and we are still a young side.
“This is something they can use as experience. The playing group is jumping out of their skins.”
The Pingers will enter the grand final as underdogs after losing all three matches to Reservoir during the season.
“It’s a tough challenge and the kids are up for it,” Power said.
“All I ask for is they give 100 per cent.”
