Watsonia distanced itself from the MC Labour Division 2 relegation battle with a crucial 12-point victory over Panton Hill in Round 10.
Leading by a goal deep in the final term, Kyle Wheatley snapped the sealer to guide the Saints to a 9.12 (66) to 8.12 (54) win at A.K. Lines Reserve.
The result handed Watsonia its second win of the year and pushed them up to seventh spot on the ladder, eight points and percentage clear of bottom-placed Fitzroy Stars.
Both sides would have earmarked the match as a great opportunity to register a win in the return to action after an extended break following Melbourne’s most recent COVID lockdown.
It was the visitors who were quick to open proceedings, with Mitch Merkel making a perfect start in his first game for Panton Hill, booting a goal in the opening minutes.
However, Watsonia soon adjusted to the muddy conditions and took a nine-point lead into quarter time after kicking three of the next four goals.
After a scrappy first term, the game began to open up in the second quarter.
Josh Novelli led the charge for Watsonia, booting three goals for the quarter to give the home side a 21-point cushion.
Kobe Van Zwienen and Lachlan Potter were influential in the middle for the Saints, driving the ball into attack to give their side a foothold on the game.
However, Panton Hill managed to rally in the second half of the term, nailing successive goals to cut their deficit to just seven points at the main break.
Merkel made it a shootout against Novelli, with the new recruit keeping the scoreboard ticking over for the Redbacks.
Sam Parks also proved to be important in the middle of the ground to help steer the Redbacks’ revival.
The game failed to break open in the third term, with the heavy condition of the ground meaning goals came at a premium for both sides.
Watsonia forward Jack Larkin kicked the opening goal of the half, calmly snapping around the corner to restore a near three-goal lead for the Saints.
However, Panton Hill managed to peg one back to trail by just eight points at the final change.
It had been a tight affair throughout the game, and the final term would not be any different.
After a barrage of attacks from Panton Hill, the visitors were finally rewarded when Merkel marked and converted for his fifth goal of the game.
The goal cut the margin to just five points, making for a grandstand finish to the match.
With great pressure being put into every contest, every possession was made to count in the final five minutes.
It was Wheatley who rose to the occasion, snapping a goal through traffic to give Watsonia a match-winning 11-point lead late in the piece.
With their second win of the season under their belt, the Saints can now attack the second half of the season with renewed confidence.
Final score: Watsonia 9.12 (66) def Panton Hill 8.6 (54)
WATSONIA
Goal Kickers: K. Wheatley 3, J. Novelli 3, J. Pickett, J. Presser, J. Larkin
Best Players: L. Potter, A. Saccuzzo, W. Scriven, J. Haber, J. Novelli, K. Van Zwienen
PANTON HILL
Goal Kickers: M. Merkel 5, J. Rushton, I. Silic, A. Rowe
Best Players: S. Parks, M. Merkel, S. Conte, T. Duckworth, D. Freeman, T. Forster
