Panton Hill: 10.6-66Diamond Creek: 17.16-118
Goal Kickers: B. Gill 2, P. Davey 2, T. Power 2, D. Pratt, J. Lyngcoln, J. Braunton, B. Strongman
Best Players: S. Sykes, R. Parkinson, D. Strickland, B. Strongman, J. Lyngcoln, J. Whitcher
It’s not every day that the Panton Hill Football Club has the opportunity to play a match on ANZAC Day, however with the important date falling on a Saturday this year, the Club found itself in a unique situation with the Spud Cannan Trophy also up for grabs. The two teams lined up facing the crowd on Saturday, and together observed a minute’s silence and the spine-tingling sounds of The Last Post. It was certainly a moment that all players will remember being involved in, and the effect was there for all to see.
The Hills jumped out of the blocks, with four goals in an adrenaline-filled opening term, to take a slight lead into quarter time. Diamond Creek counter-punched in the second term to regain the lead, and the match remained a tight physical tussle to three-quarter time.
It was clear that something had to give, and unfortunately for the Redbacks, the final stanza saw the demoted Division 1 team flex their muscle, kicking eight goals to two as the home side ran out of legs after fighting hard for the first three quarters.
At the very least Coach Garry Ramsay can seek some comfort in the fact that his side stuck with the more-fancied Diamond Creek team for three quarters, however the final term fade-out will raise questions of commitment and fitness.
It was encouraging to see the recently returned Shane Sykes turn on a best afield performance for the home side, as he displayed good leadership and determination around the ground while Robbie Parkinson also had a good game that he will savour after a 2008 campaign riddled with injury.
Danny Strickland also gave the Coaching staff reason to smile, with a good overall performance that proved commitment to his new team mates, whilst Captain Ben Strongman, Nuts and Whitcher were typically solid and rounded out the best players on the day.
Saturday’s result has seen the Redbacks slip to 12th on the league ladder, and they will need to regroup quickly in order to turn things around in round three, with a home game against a strong Parkside outfit.
RESERVES
Panton Hill: 5.5-35
Diamond Creek: 15.14-104
Diamond Creek: 15.14-104
Goal Kickers: D. Belcher, J. Ballock, K. Gilmore, S. Northrop, J. Gilliland
Best Players: C. Sansom, T. Coleman, C. Cummings, P. Strongman, R. Heywood, J. Gilliland
The Panton Hill reserves side was less than convincing in an overall flat performance against the Diamond Creek side, who maintained a comfortable lead all game. The Redbacks failed to fire early, not registering a score until the second term, and by that stage the scrip appeared written for an uninspiring ANZAC Day experience.
Chris Sansom was again solid in the ruck, shouldering much of the responsibility for the match and never stopped attacking the ball. Trent Coleman was similarly committed to the contest, and ran hard all day, eating up a lot of possessions on the wing, while Christian Cummings had his work cut out in defence and battled hard.
Paul Strongman displayed leadership around the contests, and new comers Richard Heywood and James Gilliland also impressed the coaching staff on a day where there were no real stand-out performances.
The two’s will look forward to the upcoming match against Parkside, with memories of last year’s narrow loss at home, where many players stood up and made a name for themselves late in the 2008 season. Be at the ground by noon on Saturday to cheer our boys on, as they seek their first win of 2009.
