Chasing Hepburn from the first bounce, the Eagles looked vulnerable and only a super effort from Steven Nicholson in the second term put them back into the game.

Nicholson booted three majors in six minutes to help stay within striking distance of the Burras.

It was a see-sawing affair until Hepburn took a seven-point lead at the long break.

Hepburn’s scoring came from “new kid on the block” Izaac Grant, who was playing his second senior game for his home club. Grant proved his Hepburn DNA by racking up three goals to half time.

Gordon began the last half needing a breakout performance and started it within a minute with a goal from Matt Spezza.

A big six-pointer from Tye Murphy saw the Eagles take the lead and a courageous goal under pressure for Nicholson lifted Gordon.

Another major from Nicholson took the Eagles to a 15-point advantage going into the last quarter.

Hepburn scoring had stalled, with just four behinds for the third term speaking volumes for the Gordon pressure.

Another couple of majors brought Nicholson’s tally for the day to seven goals. A well celebrated conversion from Gordon backman Taylem Wason was kicked right on the siren.

Hepburn was stuck on two behinds for the last quarter, but young Grant slotted his fourth for the day minutes before the end of the game.

Best for Gordon included Nicholson, Murphy and Wason as well as Caleb Myers, skipper Mark Gunnell and ruckman Brendan Sutcliffe.

Of course Hepburn’s best was headed by young Grant, but others included Billy Johns, Rhys Jenkins, Zach Hansford, as well as Scott Wood and Finn Anscombe under siege in defence.

Hepburn coach Segifili Asa Leausa expected a battle against Gordon.

“But I didn’t expect how far away they got from us in the end. Disappointing to get blown out like that,” he said.

Gordon forward Cam Richardson suffered a bad ankle injury in the last quarter, while it’s believed Hepburn star Andy McKay hurt a hamstring and didn’t have much involvement after half time.