Omnia   

lavingtonBorder Mail |
SO much for a one-horse race.

Lavington made a mockery of recent suggestions this year’s premiership cup already had Albury engraved on it with a stunning 12-point upset win on Saturday.

The previously unbeaten Tigers, who had taken all before them so far, looked set to continue that trend when they shot to a 26-point lead at quarter time after booting five successive goals to finish the first term.

But the Panthers took control from that point on, kicking seven goals to one in the second term to grab the contest by the scruff of the neck.

They didn’t let go.

While the result came as a shock for the majority, Lavington coach James Saker certainly wasn’t surprised.

“It was obviously a very pleasing win, but it certainly wasn’t a surprise to this group,” he said.

“I think there’s a lot more maturity in the group this year.

“They’re starting to understand more and more that our best footy can win these games.”

The Panthers had winners everywhere.

Brant Dickson and Saker again kept star Albury forwards Setanta O’hAilpin and Andy Carey out of the contest, with O’hAilpin once again kicking the only goal between them for the day.

Adam Butler, Luke Garland and Adam Flagg all bobbed up with game-turning bursts across half forward at various points in the game.

Garland, in particular, was exceptional for the home team.

Matt Pendergast worked his backside off in the trenches, as always, and played a big part in setting up the win with his work at the stoppages.

Jay Banks was brilliant in the second term and Tom Yensch battled hard in the ruck against far bigger opposition.

Justin Koschitzke was nothing short of dominant in attack and would have been the standout player on the ground, had he not sprayed several shots in front of goal.

But it was the Hargreave brothers — Sam and Tom — who stole the show.

Tom was the leading goalkicker and all three of his majors came at pivotal points in the game.

Sam, meanwhile, didn’t find much of the football himself but stopped one of the best players in the competition from getting it.

The young Panther ran with Morris Medal favourite Brayden O’Hara and shut him out of the game in a manner that hasn’t happened since the former SANFL star joined the league.

It was the first time this year O’Hara didn’t kick a goal.

Hargreave’s effort wasn’t lost on his coach.

“What we learned from last time was that we needed to pay the individuals within their team even more respect than normal, instead of just backing our normal structure in,” Saker said.

“We did that, mainly with Brayden, but also (Dean) Polo and (Joel) Mackie at times.

“It was telling.

“When you’re somewhat able to stop the influence — those guys still had really good patches — it helps a lot.

“Sam likes a challenge and there’s no doubt he’s our best tagger.”

Albury co-coach Daniel Maher said the battle was more or less lost in the midfield.

“Clearances probably went their way and you don’t want to lose that area of the game,” he said.

Read Full Article