Old Eltham Collegians couldn’t produce a win in its first match in the NFNL, with the Turtles unable to contain a dominant Panton Hill.
The Redbacks pulled away to record an impressive 14.9 (93) to 3.5 (23) victory at Eltham College in Round 1 action in Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3.
The game was a low scoring affair early. Both teams were winning plenty of midfield ball but not finding targets inside 50.
When promising Turtles tall forward Dylan Debritt booted his team’s first ever goal in the NFNL early in the second quarter, the margin was a mere seven points.
But the Redbacks booted the final three majors of the first half to establish a decisive break.
A five goal to nil third term sealed the deal – with Old Eltham Collegians staring at a 56-point deficit at the last break.
Panton Hill moved the ball well in the third stanza with overlap run and finding players in plenty of space. When Old Eltham Collegians won the ball back, their progress through the middle of the ground was more stagnant.
The Turtles fought out the last term quite well and averted a total blowout. They managed two majors in the term – to Debritt and also Cody Johnstone.
Thomas O’Neill was a standout for Old Eltham Collegians across half back. He took numerous intercept marks and thwarted many a Redback forward thrust.
Travis Stevens performed well in defence, but was forced to cover Rhys Boyden late in the contest when Michael McMahon went off injured.
Lukas Lymberatos and Dean Lymberatos were both lively through the midfield, while Paul Vidinopoulos acquitted himself well as captain for the day.
“We weren’t disappointed,” Old Eltham Collegians coach John Garrard said post-match. “We’re excited about getting to know where we are at and where we need to be.”
The Turtles now have a 21-day break – with a bye and then Easter – before hosting Kilmore in Round 3. They are likely to get some players back from injury by then – including captain Tim Woods.
There was around a dozen new players in the Round 1 senior team compared to the Turtles’ 2018 line-up. The coaching group expects natural improvement as the players begin to become better acquainted with the playing styles of their new team mates.
Panton Hill looked every inch a 2019 flag contender in their 70-point victory.
Nathan Hendry and Cameron Jordan returned to the fold both excelled.
2013 best and fairest Hendry starred as an inside midfielder – tackling hard and dishing out the ball to outside runners. Jordan scored two goals, including an excellent opportunist snap kicked from the outside of his right foot.
Matthew Byron struggled with injury during the 2018 finals series but was back to his best in this contest. He finished with two goals and missed some other gettable shots. He also worked well as a forward marking link man and his disposal skills were a treat to behold.
Old Eltham Collegians forays forward were often bombed up high into the forward 50 and Mitch Anderson regularly picked off these entries with intercept marks. Tim Duckworth did well on the half back flank and did manage to go forward to boot a goal as well.
Rhys Boyden finished the game well with four second half majors. Scott Conte and Matthew Fowler were both handy in the midfield.
“I was pleased with the synergy – particularly in the second half,” Panton Hill coach Steve Layt said.
Panton Hill hosts South Morang at A.E. Cracknell Reserve in a Round 2 game which starts at 4.10pm. Both teams were Round 1 winners and will be keen to make it a 2-0 start to the season.
Final score: Old Eltham Collegians 3.5 (23) def by Panton Hill 14.9 (93)
