The 2004 season panned out to be the most successful since joining the DVFL. Solid recruiting at the start of the year saw us pick up some great new players, as well as the loss of only a few, including Team of The Century member Dean Campbell.
Again under the guidance of Coach Gary Ramsay the Club named reigning Club "Best & Fairest" Michael Townsend as the person to replace the retired Mel Dell'Olio as Captain of the Club, a popular choice in everyone’s eyes. Not a great season for our new Captain though, after starting well, a bad knee injury cost him dearly not being able to take the field in the second half of the season.
The season began poorly with a loss in Round 1, but the following week the Clubs new pavilion was officially opened by State Treasurer John Brumby, Club president Tony Cahir, and a host of other dignitaries. The team celebrated with wins against South Morang in both the seniors and Reserves, the seconds Coached by club legend Robert Lamb.
The season played out well, although some costly losses in winnable games could have seen disaster particularly in the second-last round. A win would have seen us secure a spot in the finals; a loss left it in the hands of others. As it turned out we won the next week, and Whittlesea upset South Morang putting us back into the 6th position, and a place in our first DVFL Seniors finals series.
The final six system saw Panton Hill line up against 3rd placed Greensborough, a long time DVFL powerhouse, in an Elimination Final, a game no one predicted we would win.
The Redbacks came out firing and overran our much fancied opponents knocking them out of the finals, and setting up a meeting the following week against Reservoir. The win did take its toll though, minor injuries too many players, and a major leg injury to Will Box, our champion Centre Half Back saw him pull out of the 1st Semi Final just an hour before the opening siren.
The boys battled out the match but were outplayed in the second half finally losing by 87 points. The margin wasn't really reflective of the game, but regardless it ended our terrific season on low note, to eventual Grand Finalists Reservoir.
The season was also fantastic for the aforementioned Will Box, who won the "George Le Brocq" medal for the "Fairest and Best" player in the DVFL Second Division Seniors. Will won by a massive margin polling 30 votes against his nearest rival on 17.
