Panton Hill have registered their first win of the 2023 MC Labour Division 2 season, with a five-goal final term enough to prevail by 22 points over Lower Plenty at A.E. Cracknell Reserve.
The Redbacks led by 23-points at half time before the Bears piled on five consecutive goals to lead by eight points early in the last quarter.
But the home side would have one final surge in them and would go on to kick the final five goals of the match to triumph 11.11 (77) to 8.7 (55).
In the marquee match of the NFNL Pat Cronin Foundation Round, Panton Hill looked for their senior players to stand up on a significant day for both clubs.
Former Lower Plenty forward Matthew Duckworth delivered against his old side, producing four majors, the most he’s kicked in a game since he last played for Panton Hill in 2016.
Fellow recruit Riley Livingstone was also crucial to the Redbacks, kicking three goals, including two last quarter majors, to help guide his side to victory.
Another off-season addition in Tom Keys also stood tall against his former side, providing a continual source of inside 50s, and repeatedly competing in physical contests with his old teammates.
Oliver Parks proved a reliable contested marking option for the Redbacks, starring as one of the best afield in the first half when Panton Hill surged to an early lead. His intercept marking was particularly impressive in the second term, constantly producing repeat entries inside 50.
Riley Alexander provided an important target up forward for Lower Plenty, kicking three goals. He was also used as a link up player when drifting up the ground.
Meanwhile Patrick Flynn was superb in the ruck, his hit outs gained important metres for his side while he was also a crucial target down the line for his teammates when required.
At the first break, the Redbacks led by 11 points after some fierce intensity from two sides who made it apparent, they were out to get their first win in 2023.
It was a high scoring opening term, with the hosts accuracy a key contributor to their early advantage.
That accuracy failed to transition into the second term however, as despite being the dominant side, Panton Hill kicked 1.7 to Lower Plenty’s one behind, going into half time as 23-point leaders.
Amongst heavy traffic in his defensive 50, 18-year-old Hudson Young played with poise down back for the Bears, alongside seasoned defenders Ciaran Porter and Joshua Turner, who both absorbed the Redbacks pressure well during a tiresome quarter of football for the Bears.
But Phil Plunkett’s men appeared to be a different team in the third quarter, scoring four unanswered goals after barely registering an inside 50 in the second term.
20-year-old Riley Alexander led the charge, converting two set shots which led to rapturous celebrations from the Bears.
As Alden Meale found the big sticks for a second time, Lower Plenty had truly come back into the contest, with both teams entering the final break on 47 points apiece.
Starting just as they had begun the third term, Lower Plenty stormed out of the gates to lead by eight points. Juy Smith missed an early set shot, before converting moments later from outside the forward arc for his first goal in senior football.
Having not scored a goal since the second term, the Redbacks bench were delighted to see a drop punt from Riley Livingstone sail over the goal-umpires head moments later, reducing the deficit to two points.
A follow-up running goal from Scott Conte saw Panton Hill hit the front, shifting the momentum back in favour of the home side.
Despite a determined effort in midfield from co-captain Jordan Sacco, the Bears could not withhold the forward onslaught of the Redbacks, as Brayden Callaway, Matthew Duckworth and Riley Livingstone all piled on goals to lead their team to a 22-point victory.
