SENIORS
Led by an enthusiastic new President, a number of experienced Committee members with some to the new role and a dedicated new coaching team; the Club had high hopes for 2012. Pre-season was heavily attended. Functions to launch the season and especially with support from wives and partners were held. The new oval lights were tested under match conditions. Practice games provided opportunities for strategies to be tested, game plans to be trialled and the values and strengths of new players to be assessed. By the time of the first home and away match we were ready!
Mernda was always seen as the team to beat. To win first up against them, on their ground, on their sponsor’s day was outstanding. Regulation wins against all the other Division 3 teams followed but injuries took their toll. By the time we played Mernda again at home, on our Life Members and past Players’ Day, there were 10 automatic selection senior players unavailable. We got thrashed. More regulation wins followed and with the gradual return of injured players, we returned to Mernda on a freezing, wet winter day. The ground condition was worse than ours. We scored an excellent win with Mernda kicking their second goal late in the fourth quarter when the result was foregone. By the end of the home and away games we were 2 games clear on top of the ladder. Joffa Byron had kicked 96 goals, kicking his ton in the final series. And so the scene was set.
Injuries were still a problem semi-final week. Mernda played unexpectantly well and qualified for the Grand Final. Reservoir (the only other team to beat Mernda) was our Preliminary Final opponent. After a pulsating game that both teams had the opportunity to win, we prevailed. Our preparations for the Grand Final were extremely thorough, to the extent of using a bus to transport the team and coaches to the ground. The Main Road in Panton Hill was festooned with banners, streamers and balloons. The Club rooms were effectively decorated. A number of Reserves players trained on even though their season hadconcluded. And then we were ignominiously beaten.
However a number of things are evident –
Panton Hill Football Club now has an expectation of playing finals each year.
Supporters enjoy the recent successes.
We are acquiring more sponsorship.
Our Social Functions are well attended and returning profits.
And most importantly, players from successful clubs are open to recruiting by
Given these attributes and attitudes, together with our very successful home and away season the future is bright. That much sought Premiership is within our reach.
RESERVES
Ah success! Nothing like it, to heighten the desire for more. The twos had a variable season. Their numbers were depleted by their own injury list and the constant promotion of the better players to the senior team. However, late in the season when selection stability returned, the Reserves played very well recording solid wins to finish fourth on the ladder. In retrospect no game was lost that should have been won and a number were won when we were the underdog.
The semi-final win over Reservoir was solid and very convincing. The Preliminary Final loss to St Marys was disappointing but we fought it out to the bitter end. A good solid season with its share of success while providing invaluable support to the Seniors.
Special congratulations to Brett Aldred for winning the medal for the NFL Best and Fairest. Well done Swooper!