Round 15: Macleod too good in fiery encounter

Panton Hill: 10.9-69
Macleod: 23.12-150

Goal Kickers: J. Whitcher 5, B. Strongman 2, L. Brass, D. Pratt, J. Lyngcoln
Best Players: S. Huf, B. Strongman, J. Lyngcoln, J. Whitcher, W. Box, A. Boyle

Although coming off a loss (to the top side), third placed Macleod have been beating most sides easily and this was always going to be a tough one for the Redbacks. As usual Rambo had the side fired up with the ‘nothing to lose, everything to prove’ attitude but disappointingly the afternoon didn’t pan out the way we had hoped.

Unfortunately the Hillers never really threatened on the scoreboard as Macleod had more of ball for most of the afternoon. At times it was a spiteful encounter with a few dust-ups and even a verbal encounter between opposing supporters at the final change. All in all Macleod were too good and ran out very comfortable victors.

Shock horror, Strongy didn’t get B.O.G. this week – those honours went to Huffy – he only managed to kick two goals and get second best on (really poor performance Ben). After missing most of the season through injury, Nuts slotted through a major for the Hills’ and was again quite impressive. And Witcher chimed in with his stock standard five goals!


THIRD QUARTER BLITZ TOPPLES TWOS

Panton Hill: 6.9-45
Macleod: 16.12-108

Goal Kickers: M. Paterson 3, M. Lawn, J. Anderson, D. Brown
Best Players: M. Paterson, A. Flanagan, M. Lawn, D. Walton, L. Walsh, D. Brown

Last week’s season-changing performance against Watsonia had the Redbacks reserves players buzzing with a new-found sense of belief that they could be competitive with anyone. We were back at home for the first time in a few weeks, and it was a barmy July afternoon. Conditions were perfect for football, however this week we had a depleted bench, so an enduring four-quarter effort would be required from each player.

The first half was relatively even as the Hills reduced an early Kangaroos lead, courtesy of some crafty forward work from Kiwi (#1). However, just before half time the Redbacks were hit with a double-punch. Strongy had been politely asked to leave the arena and not return for a couple of weeks after a goal-square encounter with his opponent, whilst Simon Shell was cut down by the Redback injury curse, suffering a painful knee injury in the centre of the ground. Shelly had been dominating in the ruck contests until this stage.

Given that only 17 players remained in the black and red Jono stripped out of his jacket and jeans and pulled on the boots to give the team a fighting chance. At the long break he told the players that it was time to dig deep for each other, and we must be switched on at the start of the second half. Unfortunately this did not happen, and the third quarter saw the Macleod side run rampant and drill goals from all over the place, relatively unpressured.

It was effectively game over by the final term, however a spirited quarter from the Hills saw them keep the opposition goal-less for the quarter, and score a few in the process. Clearly a four-quarter effort could have won the game, however the overall signs from the game confirmed that the team’s improvement a week earlier was no fluke.

Kiwi (#1) kicked three goals and had plenty of the ball through the middle of the ground, dishing out plenty of trademark runs and “don’t argues,” in a dominant performance. Flange continued his good form in the centre of the ground, taking many solid marks and pushing the team forward, with great support from Lawny, and Kiwi (#2) who won a lot of the contested ball.

Walshy was typically reliable down back, and took some great marks on the last line and also provided run out of defence. At the other end of the ground it was the Dave “Bobby” Brown show, in the last quarter in particular, as Browny pranced around like a gazelle, creating several forward opportunities and scoring a goal himself to the delight of the Panton Hill crowd. Browny will be performing at Mernda this coming Saturday at 11:55am as the side plays its last away game for the year. Get up there and support the resurgent reserves side.