Border Mail |
LAVINGTON coach James Saker has rated Saturday’s 66-point hiding of Wangaratta Rovers the most satisfying win of his tenure.
The Panthers further strengthened their premiership contender status with a dominant performance at home over a rival top-three aspirant.
They never looked like losing.
Saker, who played another pivotal role in helping set up the win early, declared it the most rewarding performance in his 24 games at the helm.
“It’s probably the most satisfying,” Saker said.
“One of the most pleasing elements, from a match committee point of view, is that we planned particularly well for this game and had the players carry that plan out almost to a tee.
“From a coaching perspective it’s very pleasing because the players get proof the structures are working.
“We stopped Rovers playing their style.
“The messages we are giving are very basic but the players are buying into them.”
Star veteran Matt Pendergast was a clear standout in the clinches for the Panthers on Saturday and should have a mortgage on the three Morris Medal votes.
Luke Brauer, meanwhile, played his best game since returning to the club and was always dangerous in his three-goal performance.
Mitch Palmer played with a stack of confidence, while Luke Norton-Smith limited the typically dominant influence of Hawks’ star Karl Norman in the ruck.
Saker stood exceptionally tall down back in the first half, with Brant Dickson rising to the occasion up forward in the final hour of the game.
For the Hawks, Jamie Sheahan was about the only player to pull his weight on the day with a 40-plus possession performance.
He also booted three of their paltry six goals.
The Panthers strangled Mick Caruso’s side with their now famous press and the Hawks rarely entered their attacking 50.
When they did, they wasted the opportunity as they continually fluffed guilt-edged chances in front of goal.
In a further blow, hamstring troubles are starting to plague Sam Carpenter’s first season with the Hawks.
Their key off-season signing again injured his problematic hamstring less than a half into his return game.
He’s all but certain to miss Saturday’s crunch clash with Albury and faces another extended stint on the sidelines.
Carpenter, who first injured his hamstring in round 1, is yet to play a full game since joining the Hawks this year.
“We’ll have to see how he goes this week but I think he’s got a bit of hamstring soreness again,” Caruso said.
“It doesn’t look too promising.
“He had a similar feeling to the first game.”
Things don’t get any easier, with clashes against North Albury and Yarrawonga to follow Saturday’s blockbuster at home against the Tigers.
