South Morang has made it a fourth straight win in the Northern Football Netball League’s Division 2 competition after a 14-point victory over Panton Hill at A.E. Cracknell Reserve.
Despite suffering from a slow start that challenged their game plan, the Lions were able gradually to take over the game, long enough for them to hold on in the closing stages and run away with an 11.11 (77) to 8.15 (63) win.
As a result of the triumph, South Morang keeps their distance with the top two, remaining four points behind Eltham and Diamond Creek. Panton Hill drops out of the top five following their first loss since Round 3.
Nathan Stefanile was a force of impact in almost every part of the game, with his dominant ruckwork, physicality and clearance work, laying the foundation of his side’s energy.
Lachlan Potter was a livewire running down the field, sparking exciting possessions that were carried over to Nathan Bell and Koby Davies, who both offered immense performances on their way to being named among the Lions’ best.
Davies in particular was a prominent benefactor of Potter’s work, finishing with a career-high of four goals in just his seventh senior game for the Lions.
Nicholas and Oliver Parks led the way for the Redbacks’ attack, along with Josh Callaway, who controlled the chaos in the midfield for crucial possessions down the stretch.
Riley Livingstone capitalised on most of the forward entries headed his way, booting four majors on the day, keeping the match in reach for his side as a result.
The intensity on the ball from the first bounce saw both sides slow to get going, that was until Matthew Trim broke away for a snap that went through for the first major of the match and for South Morang.
Simon Amore’s side was quick to respond, with Scott Conte and Oliver Parks both striking true on set shots for a goal each, to claim a 10-point lead at quarter-time.
Koby Davies would get things back on track for the Lions in the second term, converting his set shot to reduce the lead to within four points.
Again, Panton Hill responded, first through Daniel Freeman before being immediately followed by Livingstone, pushing the home side’s advantage out to 16 points.
However, the Lions’ hunger for the ball only increased and the results would start to show thanks to the likes of Gary Moorcroft and Nathan Bell, whose majors sent it back to a one-goal game.
With control of the contest, momentum would soon find its way back to Davies, who found the big sticks for a second time. He would soon convert for his third to snatch the lead back for South Morang heading into halftime.
The match continued to go back and forth throughout the second half, with Samuel Parks drawing first blood with a goal for the Redbacks before Davies shifted the scoring yet again after his fourth of the afternoon, putting the lead back up to six points for the Lions.
The ball would soon find its way back to Livingstone, who would strike true on a set shot for a goal that tied proceedings, before South Morang brought the game back to their favour with majors from Moorcroft and Jake Potter, giving the away side a 12-point advantage at the final break.
The last term became a slugfest of stoppages and hard tackling, highlighting the want of both sides to keep their recent unbeaten streaks intact.
Livingstone broke the scoring drought in brilliant fashion with two quick goals to tie the scores again with 10 minutes remaining.
But South Morang had all the answers from that point onwards and after many failed attempts at goal, Beau Moorcroft would burst from the contest inside-50 and snap a nice major on the on the run, pushing the Lions’ lead to eight points.
With minutes remaining the Redbacks were desperate for another, but Kain Hall had other ideas as he lined up from 40-metres out and kicked the goal that sealed the 14-point victory for Gary Hall’s men.
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