Panton Hill ended Laurimar’s unbeaten record with an impressive 36-point win in what many see as the Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 grand final preview.
In a clash of the unbeaten team versus the team with the highest percentage, it was the second-placed Redbacks who prevailed 18.9 (117) to 12.9 (81) at Laurimar Reserve.
The win takes the Redbacks to within a game of the Power as finals approach.
A seven-goal haul from Rhys Boyden was a crucial factor in the win after fellow forward Matthew Byron left the game early with an injury.
Panton Hill had another winner down back in Brent Ryan. His intercept marking was a feature of his game.
“It’s all about the process – not the outcome,” Panton Hill coach Steve Layt said. Layt was pleased with the way his team responded when challenged and stuck to the game plan.
The Redbacks also had Scott Conte and Matthew Fowler suffer injuries during the game and were limited to one fit player on the interchange for much of the second half.
In the absence of these midfielders, Samuel Parks, Nathan Hendry and Daniel Freeman – who is having a breakout year – all stepped up and used the ball well.
Dangerous small forward Cameron Jordan put the icing on the cake with two late goals and finished with three on the day. He is deadly when he gets the ball in space inside forward 50.
The quick start would’ve also delighted the Redbacks coach. They jumped out to a 20-point lead midway through the first term.
Laurimar fought back hard with four goals on the trot to lead briefly – then trail by three points at the first change. They goaled to get in front again in term two but were headed soon after and never regained the lead.
A two-goal half time lead quickly blew out to four goals with majors to Panton Hill’s Rhys Boyden and Scott Conte. Another 15 minutes elapsed before another major was registered – to Mitch Golby for the Power.
This late goal gave Laurimar a sniff at the last break. But they were also down to one on the bench – with injuries to Dallas King, Bryce Kotas and Bradley Deed.
A comeback win looked unlikely when Rhys Boyden goaled within a minute for the Redbacks. Mitch Golby got the answering major several minutes later for the Power, but then four unanswered goals to Panton Hill put the game away.
Jacson Cecil was a great forward target for Laurimar and booted two late goals to take his tally to five for the day. He was well supported by 16-year-old exciting prospect Ethan Frawley, who booted two goals and showed composure well beyond his years.
Box Hill Hawks listed player Jack Stewart was lively for the Power early, while the ever-reliable pair of Jake Richards and captain Mitch Thompson – wearing number 0 during TAC Towards Zero Round – contributed well.
“Credit to Panton Hill,” Laurimar coach Justin Sherman said. “We needed a kick in the backside. We’ll learn from that and come back better.”
The result had no bearing on the first week of the finals – with these two set to face off in the second semi final regardless of the result. Of more immediate importance for each team is getting their injured players back up and running for finals.
Laurimar ends the year playing the two teams fighting out fourth spot. The Power play fifth-placed Mernda at Waterview Recreation Reserve, followed by a clash with South Morang at Laurimar Reserve to round out the home and away season.
Panton Hill will be seeking revenge when hosting Kilmore at A. E. Cracknell Reserve. The Blues inflicted the Redbacks’ biggest defeat for the year when beating them by 35 points in Round 8 at J. J. Clancy Reserve.
They have back to back home games with a match against Reservoir to bring them to the finals.
Final score: Laurimar 12.9 (81) def by Panton Hill 18.9 (117)
LAURIMAR
Goal Kickers: J. Cecil 5, D. King 2, M. Golby 2, E. Frawley 2, J. Sherman
Best Players: J. Cecil, E. Frawley, J. Richards, K. Sheehan, J. Lawson, M. Thompson
PANTON HILL
Goal Kickers: R. Boyden 7, C. Jordan 3, S. Parks 2, B. Mitchell, M. Byron, N. Hendry, S. Conte, A. Tsardakis, D. Freeman
Best Players: R. Boyden, B. Ryan, D. Freeman, S. Parks, C. Jordan, N. Hendry
