Mernda keeps its NFNL Division 3 drive alive, defeating Epping in wild weather
Mernda overcame some wild conditions and rival Epping to keep its NFNL Division 3 premiership dream alive with the game called off early due to lightning.
Northern
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Mernda has bounced back from its qualifying final disappointment to end Epping’s NFNL Division 3 campaign.
The Demons kicked 11 goals to three after quarter-time to claim a commanding 34-point minor semi-final win at Lalor Reserve on Sunday.
The match was called off with three minutes remaining as lightning and heavy rain lashed the northern suburbs.
The 13.14 (92) to 8.10 (58) victory sets up a return match against Old Paradians in Saturday’s preliminary final.
Josh Mazzarella returned to the line-up with a best-on-ground performance, while Matt Bawden booted four goals to earn family bragging rights over brother Josh.
Mernda coach Rob Fletcher said his players found their finals hunger.
“We weren’t happy with the way we performed (last week), we touched on that during the week,” Fletcher said.
“If we want to win games of football in finals we’ve got to be better and I think we went out and hunted, which is the first time for a while.
“Even at quarter-time, we were 20 points down, but we were pretty happy against a six or seven-goal breeze to score two goals – we had five inside 50s and four scoring shots.
“We got called off with three-and-a-half minutes to go and then it was up to Brad (Hollow) and myself if we wanted to call it or continue and we were both pretty happy to call it.”
Kicking with the wind in the first quarter, Epping kicked five goals but led by only 22 points at the first change.
The Demons were far more efficient in the second term, piling on six goals, while keeping the Pingers scoreless, to claim a 18-point lead at half-time.
A dominant third quarter set up the win for Mernda, holding Epping to three majors and kicking two itself to retain a 14-point lead at three-quarter-time.
The Pingers were again held goalless in the fourth term to end their premiership hopes.
Mazzarella was named best-on-ground in the win, while defender Kai Turner, Christian Evans, Jesse Guelfo, Will Crouch and Chris Roussos also impressed.
In the absence of spearhead Bryce Kimuliatis, Bawden booted a game-high four goals, while Crouch and Evans finished with three apiece.
“Mazz killed them, good to have him back from his holiday in Hawaii,” Fletcher said.
“He’s had an unbelievable season and hopefully he can continue that this week as well.
“He started on a half-forward flank, changing into the midfield, and he was just a bull, he was hard at it, good overhead and good on the ground, he’s come on in leaps and bounds since coming back from Thomastown.
“Matty’s played beside Kimo all year and this week he shared with Matt Crouch.
“I know Kimo has kicked more goals but I think Matt has been our best forward all year and he was pretty happy to get one over his brother.”
For Epping, Michael Gillard was best afield and Leigh Judd, Corey Middleton and Josh Bawden stood tall.
Mernda will now tackle Old Paradians for the second time in three weeks, looking to overturn an eight-point qualifying defeat and return to the Division 3 grand final.
The Raiders went down to Fitzroy Stars in the major semi-final by six points after kicking the final seven goals of the game.
Fletcher was expecting another big challenge.
“We’re looking forward to it and I’m sure Benny Turner and his boys are too,” he said.
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“They played some really good footy against us and on the weekend against Stars their second half was really good.
“We’re looking forward to the challenge, we think our best football stacks up against theirs.”
Meanwhile, the Demons already have one side in the grand final after the reserves knocked off undefeated Kilmore in a stunning upset.
A convincing 32-point win on Saturday was inspired by Luke Furci’s five goals, while Zac Hill and Ethan Ross impressed.
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