Murrumbeena FNC was five points short of Endeavour Hills when the siren ended an adrenalin-fuelled final quarter.
In the first game of the season, Beena defeated EH convincingly but its speedy high markers had the final say in the return round.
Reigning Beena best and fairest Wade King was masterful all day, his high marks and timely goals keeping his side in the hunt.
There was some heat at the MFNC reserves game, on and off the field. Not sure what broke out and caused the smoke behind the spectators at Endeavour Hills, but the umpires stepped in for the occasional player disagreements. While EH defeated our undermanned reserves 15.10 to 4.3, ruckman Jordan Brasher’s return to Murrumbeena footy was notable and he created menace around the packs.
Murrumbeena FNC under-19s got some relief from an injury-hit player list with Duncan Gardiner returned from the seniors, and Mitch Simmons back from a lay-off. With the under-19s yet to win this season, coach Evan Dib urged his charges to adopt a nothing-to-lose attutude against the formidable Bentleigh Blues. The Lions played a gritty first half, scoring three goals to seven. The sluice gates opened thereafter, and BB scored 20.17 to 5.4.