Thomastown belts Epping in Good Friday rout but hit by serious injury

Thomastown took out two weeks of frustration on Epping on Good Friday but the Bears will be without a star midfielder after a nasty injury.

Lawrence Lopiccolo in action for Thomastown.

A season-threatening injury to star recruit Masaki Miki has soured Thomastown’s Good Friday rout of Epping.

Miki was stretchered from the field just with a broken leg just before half-time of the Bears’ 101-point NFL Division 2 demolition at Main Street Reserve.

The star midfielder is facing more than 12 weeks on the sidelines after being kicked by Epping’s Alec Buchan, who was also stretchered off.

Thomastown coach Mario Bandera said his players were shellshocked after the incident but responded after half-time to run out 21.17 (143) to 6.6 (42) winners.

“It’s really disappointing, (Masaki) was just starting to hit form,” Bandera said.

Masaki Miki in action for Heidelberg West last season.

“He’d been a bit hard on himself the first couple of weeks, found a bit of the footy last week, and was one of our best players when it happened.

“It was an unfortunate accident, he got kicked in the back of the leg where the Achilles is.

“We were hoping for a minor fracture but he’s ended up splitting it and had surgery last night and is out for 12 weeks.”

Miki adds to a growing injury list that already includes key players Daniel Bramich (groin), Anthony Capeci (ankle) and skipper Josh Beare (calf).

Friday’s game allowed Thomastown to relieve some frustration after a 0-2 start to the season.

A disappointing Round 1 defeat to Diamond Creek was followed by a heart-breaking five-point loss to Banyule.

Bandera admitted getting the first win took a weight off the shoulders.

“I spoke to a couple of Epping people and they were a bit nervous coming up against us off the back of two losses,” he said.

Michael Tang booted seven goals for Thomastown. Picture: Steve Tanner

“There was a bit of that (frustration), after Round 1 I asked the boys for a response after a disappointing performance and while we didn’t get the four points I thought we responded really well.

“It was a compound affect – good sides respond and someone’s got to pay and all that stuff – but it was purely about getting back on track and playing our footy.

“The last two weeks, considering our injury list, has been pretty good.”

Bears spearhead Michael Tang feasted on the Pingers, booting seven goals, while Salvatore Mamone and Ben Nesci both kicked five majors.

Lawrence Lopiccolo was named best-on-ground in the romp, while Nesci, Tang, Tyrone Leonardis and Jackson Hayse also impressed.

Bandera also had special praise for a surprise off-season addition.

“The injuries do give other players opportunities, that’s what I was rapt about last week and (Friday),” he said.

“We brought Nick Schade in, he’s a guy that walked in off the street for us over the summer, he hadn’t played for a couple of years.

“Nick’s been great, hasn’t missed a training session, and was probably unlucky to miss (against Banyule).

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“Marcus Fox came in as well, he missed a week with concussion, and walked straight back in because his growth as a player has made him integral to the way we want to play.”

Ben Rowan was Epping’s best in defeat, while Adam Rose, Leigh Judd and James Tadd were also strong contributors.

Dylan Hoysted was Epping’s only multiple goalscorer with two majors.

Both teams have the week off with a split round before Thomastown hosts Fitzroy Stars and Epping travels to Diamond Creek.