THE HIGHLIGHTER - PANTON HILL VS RESERVOIR (from NFL website)
First plays second in all three NFL senior competitions this weekend and in Division 3 the top of the table clash sees Panton Hill take on Reservoir at Yarrambat Memorial Park.
The Redbacks top the Division 3 table with three wins from their opening four games – the three wins coming by an average margin of 72 points.
Reservoir has also recorded three wins this season, but unlike Panton Hill, have not lost a game in 2013. The Mustangs were victorious in each of the opening three rounds before having a bye last weekend.
Panton Hill has been in ruthless form since suffering a shock four-point loss to Parkside in Round 1. The Redbacks have since beaten St Mary’s by 49 points, fourth-placed Watsonia by 64 and cellar-dweller Heidelberg West by 104 to boost its percentage to a whopping 186.59.
Last season’s runner-up is playing an exciting, attacking brand of football and have scored an average of 118 points a game during their three-game winning run, despite last year’s leading goal scorer, Joffa Byron, moving to defence.
However, it is the Redbacks plethora of goal kickers and unpredictability moving forward which has proved their greatest strength in the opening month of the season.
First-choice ruckman Tristan Kreymborg has led the way with nine goals, however he has had plenty of support. Ben Finnin booted five in last weekend’s win over Heidelberg West, while Finno also booted four in the Round 2 win at St Mary’s.
In fact, so good has the Redbacks’ spread been that 11 individual players got on the scoreboard in the Round 3 win over Watsonia.
Recruit Jarrod McGough has been in ripping touch in his first season in red and black and has been named in the best in all four matches – including two best on ground performances.
Reservoir will be refreshed by last weekend’s bye and had been in good, but not great, form prior to the week off.
Despite winning all three matches this season, the Mustangs have had to rely on late surges to get over each of St Mary’s, Watsonia and Heidelberg West – trailing both the Burras and Hawks early in the last term.
Ashley Flavel has been unstoppable in the opening rounds – booting 18 goals to top the goal kicking after a month.
He booted five final quarter goals against Watsonia in Round 2 to single-handedly repel the Saints’ fightback and also booted five goals in his team’s most recent clash with Panton Hill – that being the 2012 preliminary final.
Despite Flavel’s dominance up forward, it has been Reservoir’s staunch defence which has proved its best feature this year.
The Mustangs have conceded just 176 points in three games this season at an average of just 59 points at game. Heidelberg West’s score of 69 was the most the Mustangs have leaked this season – a truly remarkable defensive effort.
If Reservoir’s backline can again hold out against Panton Hill’s powerful attacking flair on Saturday, the Mustangs will take a huge step forward in their quest for a double chance in September.
Past Five Meetings
Preliminary Final, 2012: Panton Hill 11.11 (77) def Reservoir 10.13 (73)
Round 13, 2012: Panton Hill 13.16 (94) def Reservoir 11.10 (76)
Round 6, 2012: Reservoir 12.8 (80) def by Panton Hill 15.15 (105)
Round 18, 2011: Reservoir 10.9 (69) def by Panton Hill 17.15 (117)
Round 10, 2011: Panton Hill 8.7 (55) def by Reservoir 13.11 (89)
Last Modified on 13/05/2013 09:39