1987 proved to be a bitter sweet year for the Club after struggling early for numbers and on the brink of extinction, the club was lucky enough to secure the playing services of Gavin Ward who recruited a number of new players to single handily save the club and by seasons end, Panton Hill had not only made the finals, but under Captain/Coach John Stanley recorded a memorable come from behind win against Hurstbridge in the first semi final. In an often spiteful game Panton Hill hard man Johnny Linton managed to get under the skin of the bridges players and although sent off twice during the game still managed a best on ground performance. Although beaten in the preliminary final against Coolaroo (Linton suspended and Ward out injured) the good finish to the season looked set to be the catalyst of better things to come. Unfortunately with the departure of several Clubs and some struggling to survive, the Panton Hill Football League went into recess. The next year the League was formerly dissolved. In 1988 the Yarra Valley Mountain District Football League gave Panton Hill a lifeline. With Dennis Kerr as Senior Coach, the Club lost and struggled again to attract players due to travel and the highly competitive nature of the League. While wins were few and far between in the early stages the Club quickly gained a reputation for their "never say die" attitude and fierce determination.
