Billed as a potential Grand Final preview, the Demons ran rampant after quarter time when they booted 19 goals to four to claim the 24.12 (156) to 8.8 (56) victory at Cracknell Reserve.
Both teams had changes to the selected teams. Panton Hill lost David Varano and competition leading goal scorer Joffa Byron, who were replaced by James Gilliland and Ben Clarke.
For Mernda, Dean Tanner replaced Jai Robinson and was given a tagging job on Abe Williams, then on Simon Amore when Williams was restricted by injury.
After an even first quarter, the Demons established a handy half time lead of 26 points.
A strong mark and goal to Jayson Darcy-Molloy to begin the third term gave the home crowd some hope. But Mernda then slammed on five goals to nil for the rest of the quarter and the game was safely in their keeping.
The last quarter yielded nine goals to one for Mernda as Panton Hill finished the game with only 15 players on the field due to injury and yellow card trouble.
The Redbacks set themselves a target of being a hard and disciplined team in 2012. They would have been disappointed with this aspect of their game on the day.
Three players – Simon Amore, Anthony Bryce and Benn Parker – were given yellow cards, each resulting in a goal to Mernda.
The Redbacks wee competitive in the clinches, but had no answer to the Demons’ running power. Mernda was able to use overlap handball to put team mates in the clear on a consistent basis.
The standouts for Mernda were Jacob O’Donnell with six goals from a wing and captain Rohan Davies who kicked four goals from the midfield.
Nathan Mills was terrific in defence, mopping up and distributing the ball to the midfield. He was ably supported by Luke Howard.
Tim Atkins was the best big man on the field and managed to snag two goals while resting up forward.
The only sour note for the Demons was injuries to Joshua Delaney and Andrew O’Reilly which will be assessed.
The Redbacks defence held up well for most of the game, but the floodgates opened in the third term. Will Box, Simon Gunn and Nathan Brundell were defiant and repelled many attacks but they couldn’t stop the Mernda onslaught.
The Demons’ Cameron Curlis, quiet in the first half, goaled from two contested marks in the third quarter. Shannon Darcy-Molloy was then moved onto him and quelled him thereafter.
Coach Dean Haydock led by example and was among the best for the Redbacks.
Up forward, Jayson Darcy-Molloy and Ryan Byrne kicked two goals each, but lacked the extra help they required.
The Panton Hill injury report included Jayson Darcy-Molloy, Daniel Pratt, Ben Strongman and Nathan Brundell. Several others were sore after the match.
Mernda will be full of confidence as it hosts St Mary’s next round.
Panton Hill will be disappointed with its first loss of the season, but retains second spot on the ladder, two games clear of Reservoir. The Redbacks travel to Watsonia in Round 11.
On a brighter note, 80 “old” players turned up for the Panton Hill past players function. A good time was had by all, barring the score on the day.
The Redbacks’ only flags were in 1934 and 1955. While nobody remains from the 1934 premiership, the ten remaining players of the 1955 team are keen to see another flag soon.
While the club has struggled on field for much of its history, it has been central to the country town of Panton Hill, maintaining character and community focus.
Roy Woolley, who began in 1956 at 13 years old and played in the losing 1970 grand final team, says he once kicked in from full back with the wind behind him; the ball bounced over some players in the forward line and through for a goal. He notes that the ground was shorter back then!
Final score: Panton Hill 8.8 (56) def by Mernda 24.12 (156)
