Border Mail |
LAVINGTON found a resolution to its only glaring weakness heading into finals when Adam Butler destroyed Wodonga Raiders playing deep forward on Saturday.
Butler, playing his 150th match for the Panthers, tore the Raiders apart with six second-half goals as Lavington ran out super convincing 108-point winners.
Despite their perceived lack of a focal point in attack, Lavington booted its highest ever score against the Raiders, and rammed 26 majors for the game.
Lavington coach James Saker admitted Butler may have played his last game in defence for the year.
“He was very good,” Saker said.
“We can put him anywhere to give us an advantage or to stop the opposition.”
Despite playing a side in wooden spoon contention, Lavington’s performance was nothing short of clinical.
The Panthers burst out of the blocks and young gun Adam Flagg looked set for a monster haul of goals when he booted the first three of the game inside the opening 10 minutes.
But he added just one more for the match as Butler became the main forward target in the second half.
Matt Pendergast and Kade Stevens, who were both playing their 200th match for the Panthers, put in showings that Lavington fans have only grown to expect, both being super-productive in the midfield.
Myles Aalbers, Jay Banks, Mitch Palmer and Sam Harris all had a stack of the footy, too.
Murray Bushrangers’ skipper Michael Gibbons added spark and Brant Dickson again impressed in the ruck.
“I was really happy with our start and really happy with our finish,” Saker said.
“In the middle we sort of chugged a bit and were a bit one-paced.
“But we’ll take the four points, no injuries and look forward to next week.”
For the Raiders, Melbourne recruits Michael Steven, Dean Limbach and Dean Giles stood tall. Steven competed well in tight, while Giles provided drive out of defence.
Limbach would have won the Doug Strang medal, had he played in a top-five side this season.
Raiders’ coach Ken Stevenson conceded his side simply couldn’t match the premiership contender.
“They were just way too good,” he said.
“We lost a couple of guys early which made it hard but we’re not making excuses and we butchered the ball.
“To let it blow out in the end was disappointing.”
Stevenson wasn’t concerned by the Roos’ win.
“I think it’s fantastic that Corowa beat North Albury,” he said.
