Epping proving cool in a crisis as close wins power side to top of NFL Division 3 ladder

GREG Whitcroft doesn’t need to be told how different Epping’s Northern Football League season could have been.

Epping keeps winning close games in the Northern Football League. Picture: Carmelo Bazzano.

GREG Whitcroft doesn’t need to be told how different Epping’s Northern Football League season could have been.

The Pingers are on top of the Division 3 ladder after Round 13, having won six games this year by two goals or less.

Between rounds eight and 13, Whitcroft’s side has triumphed in six consecutive matches — five of which were decided by a combined 27 points.

Had Epping not prevailed in those nailbiting contests, it would find itself fighting for a finals berth and potentially out of the top four.

But instead, the Pingers are the team to beat for this year’s premiership after standing tall in the crunch moments.

“I know we’ve got some good mature players that are pretty cool in a crisis,” Whitcroft said.

“They’re cool under pressure, some of our players like Daniel Moore and Shane Wood.

“Those sorts of guys are pretty calm and there’s a little bit more leadership being shown by some of the other guys.

“Josh Stavely, Leigh Judd, those sorts of guys have shown a bit more leadership as well.”

In contrast, Banyule, which sits sixth on the ladder, has lost five matches by under 12 points.

Whitcroft said the finest of margins separated the division’s top-six teams.

“There’s no respite. Every team can beat you,” he said.

“We feel like we can beat every team, and we have, but we also know that every team must feel like they can beat us.”

Epping has thrived under pressure despite missing key players throughout the campaign.

Star forward Aaron Willitts was absent during May due to a leg injury, while Chris Chilcott (leg) and David Little (knee) may be out for the rest of 2016.

Whitcroft said Judd, who injured his shoulder during the club’s two-point triumph over South Morang last weekend, could also be sidelined for up to six weeks.

“We haven’t got many injuries but the ones we’ve got are good players,” Whitcroft said.

Epping won its fourth match this year by three points or less against St Mary’s on Saturday, holding on for a 7.13 (55) to 7.11 (53) victory.

Bryce Judd was best afield for the Pingers.

Meanwhile, South Morang sits one game outside the top four after a 20-point defeat against Watsonia.

Spearhead David Hutchinson booted eight goals in Mernda’s 88-point demolition of Kilmore, while Banyule edged Heidelberg West by 17.

In Division 1, six goals from Gary Moorcroft were not enough for Bundoora to overcome Northcote Park.

The Cougars triumphed 15.11 (101) to 14.11 (95) with Collingwood-VFL listed player Jordan Collopy booting five majors.

Whittlesea went down by 23 points against Macleod, while Thomastown and Lalor both suffered losses in Division 2 which all but ended their finals chances.