Panton Hill 1-3-11 Montmorency 3-11-29

Panton Hill 10’s save the best for last!

For the first time in many weeks we were able to field close to our strongest side and get a true indication of how far we had come this year.

Montmorency are one of two flag favorites in the competition and have scored an average of nine goals a match this season.

Our starting team represented the most experienced players and it showed right from the first bounce.

The players worked together as they tackled, chased, harassed and sent the ball forward with sizzling passages of handball and accurate kicking.

It has been the aim in the past when playing top sides to keep them contained but this thinking was thrown out the window as our boys started to believe they could win the game.

Liam Young, Sam Richards, Ben Smith and Bailin Searle were all on their game and creating big problems for Monty as the tables were turned and it was they who tried to contain.

Max Clear was strong in the ruck contests and was creating opportunities for Jacob Ramsay and Angus Robertson.

A goal from Liam Young in the first quarter capped off some great work down the field and we went in at the break with scores level.

The second and third quarters were a struggle as both sides tried to break the game open.

Joel Lovitt (our captain for the day) was sensational around the packs and Gage Newman had an impact when he came off the bench.

Luke McDonald and Mitchel Reynolds teamed in defence as our boys continued their assault on the opposition.

The tacking was intense, use of the ball creative and mature as the heat was turned up in the third. Montmorency sensed an embarrassing upset and threw everything at our players but was unable to add a goal to their score by the third quarter break.

Monty kicked and early goal in the final quarter to get a two goal break but our boys persisted and were unlucky with a couple of shots at goal.

Monty scored another but two great passages of play late in the quarter and subsequent shots at goal on the run from the enigmatic Liam Young had the Hill jumping with excitement.

It was a fitting end to a great year and testimony to the players development over the short 14 week season.

The team had “come of age” in this game, no longer the “easy beats” of the competition but in contrast a respected and admired opposition to all teams in the comp.

Well done guys!

Look out for “season in review” and “presentation day reports” coming up in the next few weeks!

Panton Hill 0-0-0 V’s South Morang 3-12-30

Don’t let the score fool you!

On a ground that resembled a mud bath rather than a sporting field we witnessed the future of under ten’s at South Morang on Sunday.

Bailin Searle, Ben Smith, Max Clear and Josh Barton were all missing from our line up while David Jenkinson left at half time to help out the under 12’s.

At one stage in the game we had no more than four 10 year olds on the ground, the rest of the team all being nine or younger. On the other hand, South Morang had more than 25 players, most of these being ten year olds.

South Morang are a top four side and regularly kick 6 to 8 goals a game.

It was a huge ask of our younger guys to be competitive but they delivered the goods with determination and commitment.

Our captain for the day was Angus Robertson and he teamed up with Sam Richards and Liam Young to show the younger guys the way; these three players were an inspiration to the team.

Liam Harvey was outstanding in a role he has made his own in the last line of defence and team mates Luke McDonald, Angus Payne and Mitchel Reynolds are becoming dependable players in the back line.

Joel Lovitt was a solid contributor all day with his quick thinking and clever transfer of the ball.

One of the highlights of the day was a sensational mark in the last line of defence by Sam Richards who launched himself backwards into the air to take a great grab!

But the day belonged to a fearless little guy who we can’t wait to see next year as he grows a few centimeters and gets an extra yard of pace.

Jacob Ramsay was sensational racking up possessions everywhere, diving under packs, marking, tackling players twice his size as he reveled in the mud.

Time and again Jacob emerged out of packs to boot the ball forward with maturity way beyond his years.

Watch out for him next year, he is a very special talent!

Well done guys!

Next week we take on the “Adelaide Crows” equivalent in our competition, Montmorency, at our home ground.

At the start of the season this would be a daunting task but this team no longer considers any opponent unbeatable. The boys have earned respect from opposition coaches and players but most of all they have belief in their abilities and each other.

Bring e’m on!!!!!

July 9th

Panton Hill 1-2-8 Eltham 8-3-51

Team building consistency!

This was one of those games when the final score is not a true indication of the actual contest.

Ben Smith and David Jenkinson were missing as they were called up to help the under 12’s while Josh Barton and Liam Harvey were replaced in our starting team, both not feeling 100%

Eltham deserve their position on top of the ladder and played a great game yesterday but our players can hold their heads high after another great performance.

We took the game right up to the ladder leaders in the first quarter with fast flowing forward moves and strong defending from Sam Richards, Bailin Searle and Mitchel Reynolds.

Sam took some great marks and used his pace and long kicking to advantage.

The players maintained pressure throughout the game with every player giving everything in a very even contest.

Bailin Searle was our captain for the day and again displayed maturity with a solid game.

It was an entertaining game to watch as both teams played with commitment and skill with highlights a plenty, none the least a great goal from Spencer Newman after pouncing on a loose ball and bursting away from his opponent in the third quarter.

The difference between the two teams was Panton Hill’s inexperience and youth, especially when we brought the ball into our forward line.

The Redbacks had many inside 50’s but the older and bigger Eltham backline were able to turn it over time and again.

For the most of the game, the ball was moved through the centre with speedy chains of handballs, long kicking, fast running and brilliant tackling.

Angus Robertson played on the ball and continually carried the ball forward with strong marking and great work out of the packs, at one stage beating three opponents to clear the ball.

Joel Lovitt and Jacob Ramsay were busy in the centre as Max Clear strongly contested in the ruck and took some strong marks around the ground.

Liam Young’s work rate was impressive. He was a live wire with many dashing runs through the centre and a fantastic tackle in the third quarter.

Gage Newman continued his great form and is growing in confidence each game while Liam Harvey, despite not feeling well threw his body into the contests.

It’s unfortunate that we have such a hard run home, playing top sides for the final two games but from what we saw of this team yesterday, anything is possible!

Footnote;

We were all thrilled with the news that the 12’s had won..well done Duff and team!

The under ten’s contribution with Jack Faulkner and David Jenkinson kicking goals plus a great performance from Ben Smith makes us feel very proud indeed!

Under 12’s

Some people that make a difference!

Our under 12 side has struggled for numbers this year and it didn’t help matters when two players pulled out a few games into the season. Unfortunately this also meant that the coach also left and things were looking very shaky for the side.
Enter from stage left the charismatic person called Matt Duffy and the whole season has taken a turn for the better with not just fantastic performances on the field but also a great atmosphere at training and around the club.
It is a special coach who can have his team smiling and having fun despite the fact that they may be down by a few goals at half time.
At the same time, you can see the players respect his knowledge of the game and play with great intensity.
The effect Duffy has on the players extends all the way down to the nine and eight year olds in the under 10’s and it’s great to think that these boys look forward to moving up into Duffy’s care in the future.
We all hope Mr. Matt Duffy is around for a while with the juniors and if so, we will all benefit from his infectious, spirit lifting personality.
Well done Duff!!!

2nd July - Under 10s

Panton Hill 4-4-28 v’s Lalor Stars 0-1-1

After witnessing the great win by the seniors against Hurstbridge on Saturday, the pressure was on for the juniors to produce the same desperation and desire on Sunday.
We were up against Lalor Stars, a side that had beaten us by two goals last time we met.

Panton Hill was missing key players Sam Richards, Jesse Loudovaris, Josh Bartan and Tenzan Andrew, together with some younger rising stars.

The first quarter was a struggle as both teams battling the drizzle and adjusted to the conditions.
Lalor was the first team to score but we came into the quarter time huddle confident we had done enough to set up for the rest of the game.

The second quarter was a jewel in our season; it was Showtime as the boys demonstrated all the skills we have been working on.
Our half back line of Ben Smith, Captain for the day, Angus Robertson and Angus Payne created a solid wall while on baller’s, Joel Lovitt, Bailin Searle and Lachie Clear were tenacious in the packs, continually forcing the ball forward in the misty rain.
Jackson Mill had been given the big task of holding down the centre half forward position and gave the team a focus.
We had been working on a set drill during the week and the boys put it into practice in the second quarter: Max Clear tapped a centre bounce to a swooping Joel Lovitt who kicked quickly to Liam Young, Liam on to Jackson Mill who played on for a spectacular goal! It was very exciting to watch and a credit to the boy’s discipline and commitment to each other.
Our second goal came from our star of the day Gage Newman as he used his strength to hold off many opponents and at the same time get his foot to the ball right on the line..
Gage was sensational on the forward flank, continually breaking free and running the ball forward.
But just as we were about to head into the rooms at half time, Bailin Searl in an amazing display of sporting maturity paddled the ball around the boundary line, beating two opponents, slipping the ball over to the silky skilled Liam young, who finished off with a spectacular goal on the run. The crowd was growing as the under twelve’s were on next and the “hill” was jumping!!!
We came in at half time winners…the team had a feeling of commitment and there was no way they were going to give this one up!
Lalor gave all in the third but still our boys returned the all in the difficult conditions.
Max Clear has been working hard to learn the art of rucking and he bloomed with a dominant display as he continued to create opportunities for Joel, Bailin and Jacob out of the centre and around the ground.
David Jenkinson and Liam Harvey were miserly in defence and Jack Taylor again showed us how good he will be over the next two years as our younger brigade of Tom, Bailey, Ryder, Mitchel and Spencer all contributed.
The challenge was laid down to our players in the last they responded with a great
Quarter.
Spencer Newman pounced on the ball and held on to it long enough for his teammates to reach him, one in the name of Jackson Mill who pumped the ball from well outside 40 for a wonderful goal and a fantastic sealer to a memorable day! pic opposite(Daniel hugs Jackson and in the distance the boys cheer!)
It was a wonderful display, heart warming on a cold day, it was what all this stuff is about…the smiles on faces, The pats on the back…you guys are just the best!!

Well done guys!!!.
P.S. Thanks to the senior players who came down to training this week!!

June 25

Panton Hill v Mill Park

Searle demolition!!!

Many locals are familiar with both the name “Searle Demolitions” and the owner / operator Noel , who is a supporter of the Panton Hill Football Club.

Those involved with the Panton Hill Juniors have over the past three years admired the spirit and talent of Noel’s son Tom, who is Captain of our under 12’s.

To use an old football saying “he has a brother who is just as good” could be the words muttered around the seniors ranks in a few years time!

Tom’s brother Bailin has strung together some exceptional performances in the under ten’s games and looks like he has a great future ahead of him.

His game yesterday was something to watch as he bulldozed his way through the packs.

Although our team ran out of legs in the last quarter against a much bigger and more experienced team , our spirited under ten’s were simply outstanding.

We were missing several of our regular ten year olds so it was up to our young players to step up and boy did they step up!!

Jacob Ramsey, Lachie Clear, Joel Lovitt, Jacey Winter, Tom Rogerson and Jack Taylor played some of their best footy for the year so far and the bigger Mill Park team were shell shocked at the intensity of our team’s efforts.

Angus Robertson was a rock at centre half back and was helped out by the ever improving Angus Payne.

Josh Barton had been ill during the week and he was struggling to run but tried his heart out.

Older boys, Ben Smith and Liam Young were solid leaders all day with Liam again unlucky in front of goal, hitting the post with a magnificent shot on the run.

Liam was also the magnificent in defense, time and time again drifting down to mark and spoil a Mill Park forward move.

With Josh sidelined, Max Clear was sent back into the ruck and presented a strong body in the contests.

But the day belonged to “Demolition Bailin” who continually ran, chased and had the crowd applauding with numerous exciting run down tackles on opponents.

We are now fifth on the ladder, 10 percentage points clear of the next team this is being the best ladder position our juniors have enjoyed since we started back in 2004!!!

This Sunday we play Lalor at home. This game shapes as our Grand final and we hope to get heaps of supporters the ground to watch our future stars!!!

Great game guys!!!!

June 18

Panton Hill 4-6-30 Yarrambat Gold 0-3-3

Two in a row!!!!

Our under ten’s won their second game in a row by beating Yarrambat Gold yesterday.

We were missing Sam Richards who has been one of our prime movers this season but we were bolstered by the addition of Josh Barton in his first full game for the ten’s.

Daniel Puls-Welsh was our captain for the day, a just reward for a player who been a dedicated team member for three years.

Josh and Max worked well together in a scrappy game as we continually moved the ball into our forward fifty without really capitalizing on the score board.

Bailin Searle played a memorable game controlling one kick back from the play and continually foiled Yarrambat’s attack.

One highlight was a brilliant snap from the boundary for a goal from the talented Joel Lovitt who work hard around the packs all day.

Jackson Mill took some great marks up forward while Ryder Penny and Spencer Newman chipped in with some strong grabs as well.

Yarrambat played the game with great tenacity and the game became a messy string of ball ups

Two very classy goals from Liam Young and Ben Smith came as a result of persistence up the ground as our boys struggled to break the game open.

We can now claim to be the best side out of the top four with a percentage of nearly double that of any other side outside the four!

Greensborough, the team above us, was given four points early in the season for a ‘walkover” and we beat them easily last week.

It was a hard fought win and we now look forward to our next big challenge against Mill Park at home this Sunday.

Well done boys!!!

P.S. It was fantastic to see so many of the junior boys watching the seniors great win on Saturday!!

June 4

Panton Hill 6-4-40 defeated Greensborough White 2-0-12

 Under 10’s rock the hill!!!

This game was to be the true indicator of our progress as Greensborough had been very competitive against the competition leaders over the past few weeks, however, with many players missing due to illness and family commitments the challenge was laid down to our players group.

They delivered a memorable victory that had everyone jumping and cheering. Our captain for the day was Jackson Mill and he saluted the role with an outstanding game.

Greensborough were first out of the blocks with an early goal but our boys stuck to the game plan and Jacob Ramsay capped off some great work with an equaling goal. Max Clear and Josh Barton were working well together in the Ruck presenting strong bodies in the contests and our back line of Sam Richards, Ben Smith and Angus Payne were creating a wall that continuously pushed the ball forward. Jacob Ramsay was on fire and snapped his second putting us in front at quarter time. Greensborough scored another goal but still our boys persisted with great tackling, teamwork and energy. Josh pounced on a loose ball and kicked a goal that started the ball rolling. Bailin Searle was gathering heaps of possessions as the team surged again and again. We could feel the momentum as our boys ran, chased and displayed skills far beyond their years. Gage Newman and Jack Taylor were instrumental in many forward moves. Panton Hill took control in the third quarter with Angus Robertson, Bailin Searle, Ben Smith and Jackson Mill predominant in the clinches.

A brilliant tackle by Sam Richards and goals to Jackson and Jack in the third quarter set up a last quarter to enjoy.

To their credit Greensborough lifted in the last quarter and the contest gained intensity.

Our boys kept attacking and were rewarded when strong work by Gage freed the ball for Liam Young who nailed one from 30 meters out on the run.

It was a wonderful win, so many things to take out of the game.

Early in the game Sam Richards was challenged in a way most boys his age would find difficult to handle but he held together his dignity and played a fantastic game for his side.

That is the essence of what we have in this team.

We sang the club song loud and long…well done boys!!!