Panton Hill became the first team into the Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 grand final with a hard-fought win over a determined opponent in Laurimar in the second semi final.
A strong wind blew to the southern end of the Whittlesea Showgrounds and to the left pocket at that end as well. It made life tough for both sides and many kicks with some elevation went sailing out of bounds on the eastern side.
Going in as distinct underdogs, the Power won the toss and kicked with the breeze. It was all Laurimar early and they jumped out to a 2.3 to nil lead in the first half of the quarter.
Michael Brennan played a great game for Laurimar and kicked the first major. He was the man who kicked the last goal in the clash with the Redbacks back in Round 4 at A. E. Cracknell Reserve to give his team a one-point victory.
Jesse McKinnon booted the second as the Power looked to take full toll with the wind. But, in a pattern that would continue virtually all day, goals became harder to score at the back end of quarters.
Panton Hill settled midway through the term. Some good looks inside 50m finally resulted in a major to Matthew Byron. Noted as an excellent mark, this goal was a beautiful left foot – non-preferred – snap after a handball receive.
Laurimar captain Mitch Thompson led from the front and put in a typically good performance. He received a free 30 metres out on the boundary late in the term, but could only register a behind.
The Power’s nine-point quarter time lead didn’t appear to be enough, but Panton Hill coach Steve Layt reminded his team at the break that the Power was in front and that his team needed to use the wind well and not waste opportunities.
The Redbacks flew out of the blocks in the second stanza and hit the front by the four-minute mark with goals to Rhys Boyden and then a wonderful check-side effort by Jonty Rushton.
At that stage, Panton Hill looked like zooming away. But a combination of Laurimar lifting and the Redbacks not making the most of forward 50m entries saw the scoring dry up.
A fortuitous bounce finally saw Cam Jordan tap the ball on to Rhys Boyden for the easiest of goals and Panton Hill took an 11-point lead into the main break.
The Power did most of the attacking after the main break, but managed a solitary goal for the entire quarter through Mitch Golby. Golby missed another shot narrowly and had a third chance taken off him by the umpires for retaliation.
Despite not troubling the scorers at all for the term, the Redbacks looked well placed at the last break with a three-point lead and coming home with the wind.
Laurimar coach Justin Sherman urged his charges to take the game on – looking for the players to outrun their opponents.
The game was well and truly up for grabs when Golby took a well-judged mark within the first minute of the final term and kicked truly to put the Power back in front – with the ball just clearing the line.
The Redbacks attacked relentlessly for the next few minutes and finally goaled as Rhys Boyden marked in the goal square after a short pass in from the boundary.
But Laurimar was not done with. Teenager Jacob Lawson juggled a mark in difficult, swirling conditions and kicked truly to level the scores midway through the term.
Daniel Freeman played loose in defence to good effect when Panton Hill was against the wind. He won a crucial holding the ball free in time on and this led to Rhys Boyden marking and booting his fourth.
It blew the margin out to eight points. Both teams slogged it out for the next four minutes until siren time.
The Redbacks have won their way to the grand final now in consecutive years and both wins were very similar. They were favoured by the tipsters in both encounters and their opponents managed to goal to level the scores in the final term.
On both occasions, Panton Hill found that little bit extra to get over the line. Also, they seemed to have both games in control for most of the day, but tricky conditions made for low scoring each time and the Redbacks never gained a decisive mid-game break.
Last year, it was a preliminary final win for the Redbacks and this year they took the short cut to the big one – wining the second semi final.
“We won the key moments,” a relieved Panton Hill coach Steve Layt said.
The week’s break will be useful as they have some players who have bumps and bruises. Ryan Boyden copped a bad corkie and his day was done in the second term.
Layt was pleased with the efforts of Sam Parks, who played mainly midfield, but also drifted forward. Tim Duckworth did well with his kick-in duties and was crisp in disposal in general play.
Laurimar coach Justin Sherman would have been pleased by the work of teenager Ethan Frawley. Frawley got plenty of it and showed composure beyond his years.
Luke Wilson was again prolific in the midfield and Jack Stewart did well at half back. William Di Pietro debuted and looks a prospect. He levelled the scores late in the game with a running shot at goal into a tricky wind – resulting in a poster.
The other inexperienced Laurimar players all showed something.
Panton Hill progresses to the grand final in two weeks’ time at the same venue. Next Saturday, the Whittlesea Showgrounds will see Laurimar come up against the winner of the first semi-final between South Morang and Kilmore.
Earlier in the day, Heidelberg West won their way to the grand final with a convincing 64-point win over Kilmore
Final score: Panton Hill 6.12 (48) def Laurimar 5.10 (40)
PANTON HILL
Goal Kickers: R. Boyden 4, J. Rushton, M. Byron
Best Players: J. Pritchard, D. Freeman, N. Hendry, S. Parks, T. Forster, C. Jordan
LAURIMAR
Goal Kickers: M. Golby 2, J. Lawson, M. Brennan, J. McKinnon
Best Players: E. Frawley, W. Di Pietro, J. Leather, L. Wilson, M. Thompson, M. Brennan
Photo by BlueStream Pictures
