St Mary’s took the short route into the Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 grand final with a hard-fought 23-point win over Panton Hill in the second semi final.
The 8.14 (62) to 5.9 (39) win at the Whittlesea Showgrounds – the club’s first senior finals victory in its short history – gives the Burra a week’s rest ahead of the premiership decider.
Five unanswered goals either side of quarter time set up the win. At that stage, St Mary’s had established a 21-point lead. The lead never varied much thereafter – with the margin being 25 points at half time and then 23 points at the last break.
The low scores in perfect conditions indicated the tough and contested nature of the clash.
The Redbacks missed several shots at goal in the first term, then never looked likely to threaten – except for just after half time.
Panton Hill coach Steve Layt moved defender Mitch Anderson to centre half forward at the main break. Anderson kicked the first goal of the second half after a ruck infringement, then Daniel Freeman stuck a great tackle and goaled from the resultant free kick.
The margin was cut to 14 points and an upset looked a possibility, but Nick Dean replied with two majors in quick succession to re-establish a handy break for the top team.
Dean’s second goal came courtesy of a good centring kick from Myles Guldon – who was playing in his 100th game for the club.
The Redbacks responded soon after with a goal to Jonty Rushton from a set shot on the 50 metre line. But then the scoring dried up for both sides and there was no easy ball to be won.
Both teams went goalless for the final ten minutes of the third stanza, then kicked one each for the final term – which became a battle of attrition.
“Our unrelenting pressure for four quarters was outstanding,” St Mary’s coach Fabian Carelli said.
Carelli has worked hard to establish a contested football brand which will stand up in finals football – and it passed its first test very well.
He described his back six as sensational. Led by Leigh Sullivan, who quelled the influence of Rhys Boyden, they were impassable for most of the day.
Sullivan was ably assisted by Lee Minuz, with Joseph Bergman and Daniel Castagnini mopping up and sending the team forward. Combined with an excellent midfield working hard both ways, the Burra snuffed out any chance Panton Hill had to kick a winning score.
Lachlan Potter, playing midfield and forward, was outstanding and often the link in the chain. Chris Petroro hit targets regularly, while Dillan Ronalds exerted an influence on the game.
Given the pressure of expectation on the club, Carelli would have been thrilled with the overall output of the team and their consistent application of the game plan – even if the finishing touches lacked at times.
Winners were harder to find for the Redbacks, but Mitch Anderson stood out at both ends of the ground. The defence stood up extremely well – with Brent Ryan taking some intercept marks. Samuel Parks and Scott Conte got plenty of the ball through the middle of the ground.
“Wasted opportunities cost us and we lost contested footy,” Panton Hill coach Steve Layt said after the game.
The Redbacks will be back at the Whittlesea Showgrounds next Saturday to tackle the winner of the first semi final between South Morang and Laurimar.
Final score: St Mary’s 8.14 (62) def Panton Hill 5.9 (39)
