Border Mail |
MYLES Aalbers sealed a memorable milestone match for Lavington by kicking two late goals to help the Panthers record an 18-point win against Wangaratta Rovers at W.J.
Findlay Oval on Saturday.The Panthers forward was making his 100th appearance and finished with five goals in a best-on-ground display on the same day Ross Hill was a more than serviceable performer for the Hawks in his 300th outing.
After an entertaining opening term, the Panthers built on their five-point quarter-time lead to open a 27-point break at half-time.
Some familiar faces, Luke Garland, Matt Pendergast and Kade Stevens helped build the Panthers early ascendancy.
They were cleaner in the clinches and received great service in the ruck from Brant Dickson.
The Hawks were held to just one goal in the second term but gifted two goals to the Panthers from 50-metre penalties in the first half which would provide decisive in the wash-up.
Sam Carpenter suffered one of his early-season injury setbacks against the Panthers last time they met, but he was one of the Hawks shining lights.
The Hawks rolled the dice at half-time and switched Shane Gaston into the ruck and sent Karl Norman to centre half-forward.
The move worked a treat.
The Hawks suddenly found some momentum from the middle of the ground and found an avenue to goal in Ryan Stone.
He kicked three goals in an inspired 15-minute burst with his third resulting from a free kick putting the Hawks within five points.
The Panthers responded to the challenge with Craig Mabon getting clear on two occasions to kick goals and Adam Flagg adding another.
Lavington had breathing space again, leading by 23 points at the last change.
But the Hawks rallied again at the start of the last quarter with second gamer Alex Marklew popping through the first of two goals for the term.
The pacey Ash Pollard put the Hawks within 12 points when he raced into an open goal.
But the late goals to Aalbers put paid to any chance the Hawks had of edging them out of third spot.
The sobering reality for the Hawks is they still have to play pacesetters Yarrawonga and Albury in the run home.
They have one of the best defensive units in the competition and Tyson Hartwig, Sean O’Keeffe, Lachlan Raven, Hayden Lowe and Hill made the Panthers earn every goal.
The only injury of note was Lavington youngster Tom Hargreave, who was taken from the ground on a stretcher with a knee injury.
But he has appeared to escape a major setback, returning to the field in the second half.
Lavington coach James Saker praised his players for a crucial win.
“I was really pleased with our first half,” he said.
“We had a chance to get some real dominance early in the third quarter, but they played some good footy.
“The way we rallied under pressure was something I was really happy with.”
Saker singled out milestone man Aalbers for a special mention.
“He doesn’t shy away from the fact he likes the big stage and he played really well,” Saker said.
“He was probably the difference in the end.”
Hawks coach Mick Caruso said his team was out-played by a better team.
“They are a disciplined side and we probably didn’t take all our opportunities,” he said.
“There was probably a bit of ill-discipline in the first half with a couple of costly 50-metre penalties.
“It is just a matter of executing well and we just let ourselves down by taking the wrong option.”
