THE disappointment of last week's loss to King Valley proved strong motivation for Benalla All Blacks on Saturday, with the Panthers registering a 15-point win over Greta.
The Panthers outplayed the Blues for much of the contest at Friendlies Reserve, getting out to a 37-point lead at the final change before Greta began to fight back in the fourth quarter.
While adamant his side could have won by considerably more, Benalla coach Ben Wapling was relieved to have chalked up a victory over a quality opponent.
"We had so much of the ball that we should have really won by 10 goals," Wapling said.
"The positive is how much of the ball we got the negative is that we still aren't using it well enough.
"We got out to a big lead at three quarter time and then went to sleep for 10 minutes.
"But credit where it's due Greta fought really hard in that last quarter.
"They are definitely a better side than they were last year."
Wapling was thrilled with the performances of a couple of young guns, with under 18 premiership teammates Cody Taylor and Sam McGregor among the best players on the ground.
"Cody just tore it up," he said.
"He took them on and I don't think he lost a single contest.
"He would have had 20 touches by halftime they had to put a tag on him in the second half.
"He is as good as a gun recruit for us he was best on ground by a fair margin.
"Sam was really good as well he played on the other wing (to Taylor), went onto Jack Humphries and shut him down for a bit.
"He has a great leap and is a really good user of the football."
Wapling was also rapt with the efforts of tough on-baller Michael Wright and new recruit Todd Rogers.
"I'll be honest with you Wrighty was coughing up blood after the hit he got last week," he said.
"When he got hurt in the second quarter (against King Valley) that really cost us, because he doesn't just play well himself, he makes his teammates play better when he's on the ground.
"To come back as well as he did was remarkable.
"Todd has come over from Benalla Saints and is still learning the way we play.
"He would have had so much more of the ball if we had utilised him properly.
"He's extremely quick across the ground and is going to be a real asset for us."
Wapling is now looking forward to getting Brendan Smith back from suspension next week, with the big forward primed after a long pre-season.
"I'll take my hat off to Michael Donehue he has played really well and could have kicked a couple of bags if he'd kicked straighter," he said.
"But getting Spoons (Smith) back in and having those two down there together will really straighten us up.
"Spoons is just intense at the moment I wouldn't want to get between him and the football.
"It's probably done him good to have the last couple of weeks off, just to make him that much hungrier."
By - SCOTT ANDERSON.
16th April, 2012.
www.nenews.com.au
TEAM LEADER: Michael Wright was back to his best after copping a heavy knock against King Valley last week.
PHOTO: Cheryl Browne
Last Modified on 17/04/2012 13:48
