Patrick Fitzgerald boots eight goals as Laurimar edges Epping in NFNL Division 3

Patrick Fitzgerald came to Laurimar to do two things, kick goals and win games, and he did just that on Saturday with a masterclass against Epping.

Joel Lawson celebrates a goal for Laurimar. Picture: Nathan McNeil

Patrick Fitzgerald came to Laurimar with two things in mind, kick goals and win games.

The Northern league legend did just that on Saturday, bagging eight goals to help the Power past Epping by 11 points at Epping Reserve.

The 16.8 (104) to 14.9 (93) win was a critical response for spearhead and club after a 24-point NFNL Division 3 Round 1 loss to Fitzroy Stars.

Fitzgerald had his first within 30 seconds of the first bounce and bagged three more in a dominant first term and booted two clutch goals in the fourth.

The long-time Montmorency spearhead showcased his one-on-one prowess as well as his ability to get off his man on the lead, while at the other end Matt Williamson finished with five for Epping.

Kaiden Arthur in action for Laurimar. Picture: George Sal

“He was fantastic for us, he took a couple of big pack marks and got his teammates into the game as well,” Power coach Jimmy Atkins said.

“I’m very happy to have him on our side, that’s for sure.

“There was a lot of one-on-one stuff where we were able to get the ball in quickly to him.

“Later in the game they threw a few blokes back and he was able to get on the lead and take a couple of pack marks as well.”

Led by Fitzgerald’s four-goal outburst, Laurimar by five points in a high-scoring first term.

The teams traded goals throughout the day, the Power extending the margin to 28 points at half-time before Epping responded to be within 19 at the final change.

When Fitzgerald booted two goals in two minutes early in the fourth, the margin was 24 points.

The Power had to withstand a late Pingers surge but the home team kicked a 2.3 to fall short.

“We played a really good game of footy, and so did Epping,” Atkins said.

“It was similar to last week against Fitzroy, we’ve played two really good games and good to get on the winners’ list this time.

“We deserved it (on Saturday), we played really, really well and rectified a few things from the week before.

“It was never comfortable, we got to a four-goal lead and had our chances to extend that but missed those opportunities.

“Epping, to their credit, fought back and it was game on at the start of the last quarter, so it was pleasing to see us play out that last 30 minutes.”

Kaiden Arthur, Aiden Clarke, Jacob Lawson, Harley Marsh and Cooper Cusinato all impressed in the win.

For Epping, Brent Macaffer was named best-afield after going head-to-head with Power skipper Luke Wilson for much of the day.

Williamson, Michael Gillard and Liam Waldron also stood tall.

Laurimar faces three of last year’s top-four in the opening month with Mernda to come after the Easter break.

Atkins said it was a tough test but one the club needed after relegation last year.

“We spoke about it at the start of the year, we get a tough start, which is what you expect when you come down to Division 3 with an uneven draw.

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“We knew the first three weeks were going to be important, so it’s good to be 1-1 now and we look forward to the break and Mernda the week after.”

Epping will look to bounce back against Kinglake after Easter.

Elsewhere in Division 3, Fitzroy Stars made it two from two with a 47-point win over Mernda, while Ivanhoe also remained perfect with a 57-point triumph against Heidelberg West.

Old Eltham Collegians bounced back to knock off Reservoir by 36 points and Kinglake celebrated its centenary with a 87-point hammering of Lalor.