Round 11 Update vs NOBS

2nd July 2008

PANTHER DEFIANT AGAINST TOP OF THE TABLE NOBS

Saturdays game saw the Panthers take on the undefeated North Old Boys at Keysborough. There was a big build up for the boys during the week as the importance of a win this week was lost on no one. Needing a win to stay in touch with the top four, the commitment to the task at hand was obvious from the outset with a strong display of spirit and camaraderie amongst the 22 on the field.

There were plenty of goals kicked in the opening term, with the Old Boys kicking five majors but could have been more damaging if we kicked a little straighter.

Ben Lane was very dangerous in the first half, swapping between ruck and full forward and kicked a few handy first half goals.

NOBS came at us in the second quarter and showed why they are top of the table, their hard running resulting in four goals for the quarter. The panthers held firm though and managed four goals of our own to maintain a one goal lead into half time.

There were many attacks from NOBS in the 3rd quarter, however our tight knit defense which included John Thomson, Mick McClosky and Chicken Palmer meant their surge was short lived. Our on ball division was up and about with Billy Carroll, Juston Costello and Billy Biggs all contributing. Brad Norton too continues to rack up the stats with another terrific performance, showing plenty of guts and maturity way beyond his years.

The final quarter was a true display of determination, extending our lead to five goals and keeping our finals hopes well and truly alive. The defensive pressure and tackling in particular a real feature of the fourth term.

Chris Graham deserves special mention as he continues to impress with every game and put in his best performance to date for the panthers with a man of the match performance – his dominant in ruck work and numerous possessions around the ground a highlight. Rowan Ball also kicked crucial goal from a standing start at the club house end from 50 out at a defining moment of the game and surely added to his seasons tally of votes yet again.

The most pleasing thing from a supporters view was not only was this game a symbolic and landmark win for the year, it was inspiring to see the passion and energy created by the whole playing group and we’re looking forward to seeing this for the remainder of the year.

We now take on Peninsula who are always very tough to beat at home.

 

OLD MENTONIANS                              5.7         9.7     15.12       20.15-135 

 

NORTH OLD BOYS/ST PATS                4.4        8.7      11.8        15.17-107

Goal Kickers: B. Lane 4, C. Twentyman 3, J. Costello 2, R. Ironmonger 2, A. Eaton 2, C. Graham, D. Cochrane, D. Emerson, T. Wiltshire, R. Ball, B. Norton, T. Speers
Best Players: C. Graham, B. Norton, R. Ball, D. Field, J. Costello, B. Carroll

 

RESERVES:

87 POINT THRASHING SEND PANTHERS BACK INTO THE TOP 4

 

After tasting defeat at the hands of the North Old Boys/St Pats team earlier in the year, the Panthers were determined to turn the tables and keep their finals chances alive.

 

The game started out well with 3 of the first four goals, however half way through the quarter the momentum shifted and the visitors piled on 3 in a row. At the first break there was only 1 point the difference. Although the margin wasn’t as hoped, the signs were good with hard tackling and a good even spread of contributors, including Brent Fairbanks playing his first game for the year.

 

The constant pressure, and numbers at the contest proved too much for the visitors in the second term, and through some great drive out of the middle from Russ Goulding, James Dodd and Jake Moon, the forwards had plenty of opportunities. Unfortunately, we were very wasteful kicking 4goals 8 behinds resulting in a 24 point lead at the main break.

 

The second half was the best half played by the team this year. The inaccuracy disappeared, and 15 goals, 1 behind, was the result of fantastic running, tackling, and attacking footy. Tony Bournon continued his good form with a lazy 7 goals for the game, whilst Brent Fairbanks kicked 6 straight for the half to add to his 3 goals 3 behinds, including one goal out of fresh air that Pele would have been proud of.

 

All 22 players did their bit, and the result, an 87 win against a team that was 8 wins, 2 losses, so far this season was brilliant and really sets up the rest of the year. Now the challenge is to keep the spot in the top 4.

 

Next week sees us travel down the freeway to Peninsula.

 

 

OLD MENTONIANS                              4.2        8.10      13.10    23.11-149

 

NORTH OLD BOYS/ST PATS                4.3        5.4        7.6        9.8-62

 

Goal Kickers: B. Fairbanks 9, T. Bournon 7, J. Dodd 3, J. Moon 2, C. Duncan, C. Sinclair
Best Players: R. Goulding, B. Fairbanks, G. Smith, T. Bournon, J. Dodd, J. Moon

 

UNDER 19’s

 

 

The Under 19’s put in one of their better performances for the year when they took on Collegians at Keysborough on Saturday  However for the second week in a row fifteen minutes of poor football cost us dearly, and we will have to learn to put four consistent quarters together.

 

 

We had a few changes from last week, with Lewis Mitchell and Dave Bardoel back from the Senior team, Mark Gledhill and Luke Hull returning from school commitments and “Narmas” Dhamarajah playing his first game for the Club

 

 

Kicking with the wind in the first quarter, our pressure on Collegians was very good and allowed us to drive the bal regularly into our forward line, where Rob Chislett roved well for our first goal and Dave Bardoel converting after a strong mark.  Poor kicking let us down and a return of 2 goals 6, and a lead of 5 points was not as good as it should have been.

 

 

We started the second quarter well.  Four goals in very quick time showed what we are capable of.  Scott Royston was again very good in the ruck.  Providing James Fisher, Lewie Mitchell and “Golly” Christopoulos whit plenty of the ball.  When the ball went forward “Buzz” continually gave us a target to aim at.  The highlight of this passage of play was the great pass from Jamie Brohier which hit Tom Cashion on the chest and brought about our fifth goal.

 

 

However, after having done all the hard work we relaxed and let Collegians kick six goals and take an eight point lead at half time.  We lost the momentum after this and were never quite able to peg back the opposition.

 

 

Other good players were Daniel Hull at full back and Mike Myers-Snyders who worked hard all day in the mid field.  Lewie Mitchell showed why he has been such a valuable member of the Senior team and that now he has recovered from injury should be back in the ones soon, and Daniel Alexander played a stand out game, and his courage and commitment in the back line resulted in a best on ground performance.

 

 

Thanks must be given to Michael Lawes, Peter Monahan, Daryl Stevens and Andrew Noonan who all helped out as officials during the game, and their help was greatly appreciated.

 

 

Next week we play away at Old Melburnians.

 

 

OMFC:                        2.6  6.8  8.11  11.12 (78)

 

Collegians:                 2.1  8.4  10.7  16.13 (109)

 

 

Goal Kickers: D. Hull, L. Mitchell 2, D. Bardoel, T. Cashion, R. Chislett,

 

B. Felsenthal, J. Fisher, M. Gledhill, L. Hull

 

 

Best Players: D. Alexander, J. Fisher, S. Royston, M. Christopoulos, M. Myers-Snyders, L. Mitchell.