Senior Football
On Saturday the All Blacks travelled to Bonnie Doon for the grand final rematch.
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Unfortunately for us we were quite undermanned having many players under injury cloud from a six-day break. We had to have four reserve players double up and play two games.
We came out flat and unfortunately just never quite got things on our terms, the oppositions defensive structure and run and carry proved too strong.
Kieran Linke in just his second game for the club was awarded best on ground for his efforts. His ability to find the football on the wing and willingness to put his body on the line for the team was great to see.
Jake Jones battled hard for us all day in the ruck his fitness has gone to another level this year after leading from the front all preseason.
Chelton Orchard our recently appointed co-captain worked tirelessly all day, in the midfield as well as providing us a target up forward.
Kyle Collision continued his excellent form having an absolute break out year for the All Blacks looking like the early favourite to take out our best and fairest.
Next week the All Blacks will look to bounce back and try to get on the winners list against Moyhu.
Reserves Football
The Panthers’ reserves travelled to Bonnie Doon on Good Friday with an undermanned team, but with the expectation to compete hard in the rain and take it up to the home side.
The Panthers started slowly and allowed a more experienced Bonnie Doon team to get the jump on them by allowing too much space to run into.
But they did show patches of play on how they wanted to move the ball.
At the quarter-time break the team was asked to stick together and apply pressure and be accountable for their man, which they did early but dropped off the pace, which Bonnie Doon took full advantage of.
At half-time the players re-grouped and were challenged on their accountability and their level of pressure.
As they were about to run out after half-time a lightning storm surrounded the ground and delayed the start of the third quarter.
Once the quarter got under way, the reserves side stepped up and were accountable for their man and applied an improved level of pressure creating turnover and allowing them to get multiple goals on the scoreboard.
At three-quarter time the team was asked to continue on from the third-quarter effort and finish the game off well, which the majority of guys did.
Some undisciplined plays from a few individuals really hurt the effort of the team, something we don’t accept and will rectify quickly.
Best On Ground: Brad Milligan/Sheridan Homes voucher — AYDEN AMOS
Ayden was an absolute bull today. His two-way running and attack on the contest set the standards we expect from all players. His attitude towards never giving up and they way he went about it was a class above today.
All Blacks Bar Voucher — JACK MELROSE
Jack started at CHB and defended really well under a lot of pressure — in the second half he was put into the ruck and competed really hard and gave our on-ballers first look at it, which allowed us to play the style of footy we were after. Jack has a never-give-up attitude and always pushes himself to his limits.
All Blacks Thursday Night Dinner — TONY WILKENSON
Tony was given a few challenges through the game, firstly to play midfield and provide some body work around the contest for our younger guys, which he did really well. In the second half he was asked to go down back and wear the gun Bonnie Doon forward. Tony did a great job of ensuring he didn’t get an easy possiesions and make sure they earnt every possession, which again, he did well.
Great to see him take on the challenge and give it his all.
Royal Hotel Meal Voucher — MACK BODSWORTH
Mack played full-back all game and was under constant pressure from repeat entries. Mack showed great willingness to give it all and regularly punched from behind and rebounded the ball back out of the 50. Again Mack showed a great attitude towards the challenge and I look forward to seeing him improve over the year.
B-Grade
After falling to Bonnie Doon in the 2022 preliminary final, Panthers B-grade were ready for a tough game again this time around.
After the game before was abandoned and the starting time delayed, Panthers kept their composure and to their routine in order to step on court ready.
The first quarter was a tussle from go to whoa, Panthers gave up turn over opportunities under good Bonnie Doon pressure, going into the quarter break two goals down.
With a focus on energy and making the most of turnovers Panthers made a strong start in the second quarter, led by Kellie Holmes and Bec Mathieson in the midcourt and with great synergy in the goal ring between Brooke Bradshaw and Sally Burgess. Panthers took the lead by a few goals at half-time.
The same attacking pressure working through tall and strong zones continued in the third quarter, accompanied by increased defensive pressure by Bernie O’Brien and Bec Morrison as well as Gemma Mathieson in goal defence timing her intercepts well.
After a very wet fourth quarter that slowed the pace of the game for both teams, Panthers ran out winner by 15 goals.
Awards: Brooke Bradshaw, Bec Mathieson, Gemma Mathieson
B-Reserve
We knew this game would be a tough one, taking on the 2022 premiers.
Bonnie Doon proved much too good for our new side.
Our attacking end performed incredibly well, led by Mel Reaper and Erin Crook through the midcourt.
Jemma Smith had another beautiful game in goals, moving well with Holly Robertson.
Catherine Dennis made a huge difference for her first game with the team, with her second and third efforts and attacking and defensive pressure.
Lis O’Halloran went into defence and played outside of her comfort zone and put pressure on. Chloe Dods continued to get much needed intercepts throughout the defensive end.
Unfortunately Bonnie Doon is a well-oiled machine and we just could not keep up.
However, there were lots of positives to come from the game, that demonstrates we can compete with strong teams in the 2023 season.
The match had to be abandoned just after starting the third quarter, with the score showing Bonnie Doon leading 37-17.
Awards: Stella Stella — Jemma Smith, Allure Luxe — Catherine Dennis, All Blacks Thursday Dinner Award — Lis O’Halloran
Under-17
Under-17s knew coming into today It was going to be a tough game.
Bonnie Doon is a quality side that challenged us across the court.
The girls came out fighting in the first half, our midcourt fed into our shooters with precision giving them every opportunity to convert.
We had the lead going into half-time, but we knew Bonnie Doon still had plenty left to give.
Our defenders had a tough second half with Bonnie Doon stepping up its game. Never giving up, our team worked tirelessly throughout the game, but unfortunately we didn’t get the win, going down 28-36.
Awards: Lilly Robertson — Alara Jones Slice award, Indi Nicholls — All Blacks Canteen Award, Tiahna Neal — Spot for ice cream award
Under-15
After unveiling Bonnie Doon’s premiership flag from last season, the Under-15s came out firing and continued throughout the game.
We had a game focus on our defensive pressure and positive reinforcement to each other and everyone gave 100 per cent right throughout the game.
A team effort by all nine girls resulted in us going down by 1one goal in the dying seconds with an awesome goal by Matilda shot just after the final whistle.
Awards: Georgia Levy, Lexi Squires, Torah Heaps
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