Panton Hill remained atop the Division 3 ladder after thumping St Mary’s in Round 9 action on Saturday.
St Mary’s was well in the match in the first term but could manage only a measly 1.7 thereafter as it succumbed to a 14.18 (102) to 3.8 (26) loss at Ben Frilay Oval.
Panton Hill put on a clinic as it kicked 14 unanswered goals during the final three quarters, dominating every facet of the game.
The Redbacks got off to a great start, kicking the opening goal within minute through Brendan O’Connor. But St Mary’s hit back with two straight, including one after a great chase down from Adam Burkett.
St Mary’s had full control of the match midway through that first term but Panton Hill absorbed the pressure and went even harder at the ball as it kicked the next two to see out the quarter a nine-point leader.
Myles Guldon kicked his second early in the second term, which proved to be St Mary’s last goal for the game as the floodgates soon opened.
Callum Still pushed the margin back out to nine points for Panton Hill, which was the start of an avalanche of goals. Two more to Tristan Kreymborg and Timothy Duckworth in succession saw the Redbacks take a 27-point lead into half time. The margin could have been a lot more but for missed opportunities.
O’Connor kicked his third for Panton Hill early in the third term to boost their already commanding lead to 34 points, before Dean Haydock snapped a beauty from the right forward pocket. Nicholas Lowther then kicked his second to put the result beyond doubt as the Redbacks took a 50-point lead into the final quarter.
St Mary’s could barely even salvage a point in the third term and earned no more than three inside 50m entries.
It was the same story in the final quarter with Panton Hill kicking five unanswered goals. Amongst those were O’Connor’s fifth and Still’s second. A yellow card was handed out to Kane Paterson of St Mary’s for back chat which resulting in another goal.
Jason Evans, Nathan Hendry and O’Connor dominated for the Redbacks and were the leading factors in the 76-point win.
Dillan Ronalds, Adam Carnell and James Ind tried hard for St Mary’s down back and in the middle, however they were St Mary’s only shining lights for the game.
Panton Hill will look to remain on top of the ladder when it takes on Watsonia in a hugely enticing encounter at A.K Line Reserve. St Mary’s hosts Thomastown in what will be its second consecutive match against a top two side.
Final score: Panton Hill 14.18 (102) def St Mary’s 3.8 (26)
