Epping proves it deserves to be in NFNL Division 3 finals, beating Old Eltham Collegians
Epping’s first final since 2017 became its first finals win in seven years and the Pingers are out to prove why they deserve to be on the big stage.
Northern
Don't miss out on the headlines from Northern. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Epping scratched its seven-year itch on Sunday.
The Pingers’ 12-point victory over Old Eltham Collegians in the NFNL Division 3 elimination final was their first finals appearance and win since 2017.
A come-from-behind 11.18 (84) to 11.6 (72) triumph at Lalor Reserve.
Epping had only just scrapped into the top-five, a 131-point thumping of Lalor edging it ahead of Ivanhoe on percentage in a dramatic final round.
Coach Brad Hollow said his team felt it had to prove it deserved to be on the finals stage.
“We’ve still got a lot of work to do and points to prove we deserve to be where we are and didn’t get there by fluke,” Hollow said.
“We’re rapt with the way boys performed, we hadn’t won a final in seven years.
“We’re pretty excited about where we’re heading and how the club is developing, trying to get back to where we used to be.”
Old Eltham, arguably the hottest team in the competition in the last month of the season, started strongly and took a 10-point lead at quarter-time.
Inaccuracy threatened to cost the Pingers as they kicked 3.8 to half-time to trail by six points.
The wayward finishing continued in the third term, booting 4.5 to 2.3, but the sheer weight of possession and forward entries was starting to tell.
Epping held an eight-point lead at the final change and goals to Emerson Olivo and Daniel Rahklin quickly pushed the advantage to 27 points.
The Turtles came home hard with three of the last four goals but it wasn’t enough.
Epping finished with 12 more scoring shots, which proved the final margin.
“The second half of the second quarter we had momentum swing our way and we started playing our brand of footy,” Hollow said.
“We knew once we did that they weren’t going to keep up and, if we kick straight, the game is probably done at half-time.
“You always have the fear (of missing), there’s silly things that happen during a game, and when you kick 18 points in a game you shouldn’t win.
“When the opposition has half the scoring shots you have, it should have been over, but that’s the pressure of the game.”
Harley Gleeson was named best-on-ground in the win, impressing across half-back as his intercept work and run-and-carry generated plenty of attack.
Michael Gillard, Dallyce Taylor, Jordan Wilkins, Emerson Olivo and Corey Middleton also impressed, while Rahklin finished with three goals.
“Harley, we had on a wing at the start of the year but I knew if I needed him in defence he could do a job,” Hollow said.
“Every week he’s gotten better and better and (on Sunday) between him and Daniel O’Kearney, they helped out Dallyce Taylor a lot.
“They had Dallyce tagged so those two controlled the backline really well, took intercept marks, made smart decisions, I couldn’t be prouder.”
Hollow also lauded the work of Mitch Henwood and Adrian Cirianni, who combined to control Turtles ace Brent Macaffer’s influence.
DIV 2: HOW THOMASTOWN RESURRECTED MATCH, SEASON
LEADER: GET YOUR NORTHERN FOOTY NEWS HERE
DIV 3: PARADIANS ENJOYING RIDE WITH MAIDEN FINALS WIN
The victory sets up a minor semi-final clash with old rival Mernda and a finals Patty Chow Cup clash.
The clubs split the season series 1-1, the Demons claiming a 72-point win at Waterview Reserve in Round 4 before the Pingers returned serve with a 42-point victory at Epping Reserve in Round 12.
“Mernda is the next target to knock off, everyone has the aspiration of playing in the grand final and they’re the next step,” Hollow said.
“It’s not going to be an easy game, Mernda and Epping have a great rivalry and I know Fletch (Rob Fletcher) well and he’ll have his boys up for it.”
Northern clubs make recruiting splash
RECRUIT TRACKER: Northern league clubs have combined to sign more than 150 recruits for 2025, including ex-AFL, VFL-listed talents and promising young guns.
Whittlesea’s one big lesson from straight sets exit
Having crashed out of finals in straight sets this season, Whittlesea is taking a different approach to season 2025 and has secured the return of several juniors.