RED time. Final home and away game of the season. Kilmore sitting two points down. Up steps Jaden Smith with a set shot from 50 metres out to put the Blues into the finals away from home.
But how did we get to this point?
Riding wins in four of their last five games, the Blues were in a position to play finals with a victory over Kinglake at Kinglake Memorial Oval, and doing so would snare the final spot in the top five at Epping’s expense, who had dropped the final four games of its own season to sit nervously going into the final day.
Epping’s mood would not have improved early in the first quarter on Saturday.
Two early goals through Smith and Jake Hibbs-Hall allowed Kilmore to get the jump on Kinglake and it led 15-3 at the opening change.
When Caleb Newport kicked the opening goal of the second term 90 seconds in, Kilmore was three goals ahead and looking good to secure its spot in the finals.
But Kinglake had to have its say, and a quick trio of goals meant the Lakers soon hit the front.
Zack Ferguson responded, before Ryan Johnson added a late goal to ensure the Blues would hold a three-point lead at the main break, 33-30.
For a large part of the third quarter, it was Kinglake who was in command, kicking the first three goals of the quarter to ring alarm bells on Kilmore’s season, taking a 14-point cushion.
A late goal to Hibbs-Hall was crucial, closing the gap to seven points at the final change, 41-48.
Hibbs-Hall delivered a third goal for the afternoon to give Kilmore a big chance, but it appeared the Blues were cooked when Kinglake responded with a goal 90 seconds later.
However, past the 20-minute mark, the Blues had some heroics left in them.
Bailey Derrick, who was one of Kilmore’s best throughout the day, delivered in the clinches with a crucial goal out of the pack.
Three minutes later, Smith stepped up from long range.
With ice in his veins, he delivered the biggest kick of the season for the Blues to bring delirium among the travelling supporters, allowing Kilmore to hit the front.
Kinglake had one last chance to deny the Blues in heartbreaking fashion, but a late shot fell to the left for a behind, and the Blues held on to win 9.7 (61) to 8.10 (58).
The victory means the Blues will now travel to Thomastown on Sunday with another clash against Kinglake, prolonging the stay of outgoing coach Paul Derrick, and against a team who they have beaten twice throughout the season.
Bailey was sensational, as was Marcus Lacorica, while Hibbs-Hall’s three goals was telling. Grant Paxton, Benjamin Barton and Mitchell Portoglou completed the best players for the Blues.
On the netball front, it was a successful night for Broadford and Kilmore, with each delivering winning nights.
Kilmore took six wins from eight games, while Broadford took two wins from three games, albeit with one win being a forfeit victory.
