SENIORS
South Morang 20.15-135
Panton Hill 16.13-109
Goal Kickers: P. Davey 6, J. Whitcher 5, B. Strongman 2, K. Jones, D. Butler, J. Braunton
Panton Hill 16.13-109
Goal Kickers: P. Davey 6, J. Whitcher 5, B. Strongman 2, K. Jones, D. Butler, J. Braunton
Best Players: W. Box, B. Strongman, P. Davey, J. Whitcher, N. Smith, G. Mc Auliffe
After months of preseason preparation, a plethora of arrivals, and a few departures, the Panton Hill train was finally ready to roll on a shiny new set of tracks. This was to be the start of a new beginning, and an opportunity to see where the Redbacks of 2009 are really at.
This was the strongest team that Hill has fielded in some time, and the players were confident that they could push anyone in the league.
Of course, when so many changes occur to a footy side, it is going to take some time for the players to adjust, and whilst that factor wasn’t glaringly obvious to all supporters, it probably played a part in a few passages of play. The result was a promising, yet disappointing first round loss to a slightly more polished opponent.
Senior Coach Garry Ramsay, while preferring to win will take some positives from the sometimes fiery match, which will be seen as a minimum benchmark for upcoming matches.
It was promising to see that club leaders Will Box and Ben Strongman have not lost any form over the summer months, both men claiming a great deal of contested positions following the ball around the ground. Similarly, “Pistol” Pete Davey and Justin Whitcher were very damaging in front of goal.
First year player Nathan Smith was also very encouraging, and should only improve with more match time in a new team, whilst “Stringer” McAuliffe was typically solid in defence. The players will be itching to put the first win on the board against Diamond Creek on Saturday.
After months of preseason preparation, a plethora of arrivals, and a few departures, the Panton Hill train was finally ready to roll on a shiny new set of tracks. This was to be the start of a new beginning, and an opportunity to see where the Redbacks of 2009 are really at.
This was the strongest team that Hill has fielded in some time, and the players were confident that they could push anyone in the league.
Of course, when so many changes occur to a footy side, it is going to take some time for the players to adjust, and whilst that factor wasn’t glaringly obvious to all supporters, it probably played a part in a few passages of play. The result was a promising, yet disappointing first round loss to a slightly more polished opponent.
Senior Coach Garry Ramsay, while preferring to win will take some positives from the sometimes fiery match, which will be seen as a minimum benchmark for upcoming matches.
It was promising to see that club leaders Will Box and Ben Strongman have not lost any form over the summer months, both men claiming a great deal of contested positions following the ball around the ground. Similarly, “Pistol” Pete Davey and Justin Whitcher were very damaging in front of goal.
First year player Nathan Smith was also very encouraging, and should only improve with more match time in a new team, whilst “Stringer” McAuliffe was typically solid in defence. The players will be itching to put the first win on the board against Diamond Creek on Saturday.
RESERVES
South Morang: 11.14-80
Panton Hill: 9.7-61
Goal Kickers: J. Ballock 5, D. Collins 2, B. Brown, A. Anderson
Best Players: J. Ballock, C Sansom, A. Boyle, B. Brown, D. Collins, L. Walsh
Much like the senior side, the reserves side was very strong on paper when compared to recent seasons. Many regular 2008 senior players found themselves in unfamiliar territory playing in the two’s, and would have seen the situation as an opportunity to prove themselves and push for senior selection.
Panton Hill: 9.7-61
Goal Kickers: J. Ballock 5, D. Collins 2, B. Brown, A. Anderson
Best Players: J. Ballock, C Sansom, A. Boyle, B. Brown, D. Collins, L. Walsh
Much like the senior side, the reserves side was very strong on paper when compared to recent seasons. Many regular 2008 senior players found themselves in unfamiliar territory playing in the two’s, and would have seen the situation as an opportunity to prove themselves and push for senior selection.
Regular senior players John “JB” Ballock and Ben Brown responded in style, both men dominating the forward line, and JB particularly impressive with 5 goals. Dylan Collins was also impressing around goal, kicking 2 himself.
In stark contrast, it was a first gamer Chris “German” Sansom in the ruck who performed beyond all expectations and found a lot of the ball, and ran all day. Andy Boyle and Lucas Walsh also performed well, and will be looking forward on building to positive starts to their respective seasons.
The actual match itself seemed to set the tone for the senior team, as the reserves also fell just short of a win, although the match will be seen as a final opportunity to dust of the cobwebs and move forward for the remainder of the season.
COMING UP
Round 2 presents as being very significant for the Panton Hill Football Club, as the Redbacks not only have the privilege of playing on ANZAC Day, the match will also be played for the “Spud” Cannan Trophy. Don’t miss round two at home against Diamond Creek.
