3 in a row for Panthers

Kilcunda Bass have set the standard in the Alberton Football Netball League with a resounding six goal grand final victory over a gallant Korumburra-Bena on Saturday at Wonthaggi.

In perfect conditions which was a credit to everyone involved, the game started off at a frenetic pace with Jason Wells kicking the first two goals of the game for Kilcunda, before Chris Redl got the Bulldogs on the board.

The clash between Evans and Law for the Panthers and Bradley for the Bulldogs was interesting in the ruck contests with the battle seemingly being even as the game went on with no player dominating.

Bergles kicked his first goal of the game before the end of the term and Redl got his second to see Kilcunda Bass leading at quarter time, 3-3 to 2-2.

A six goal second term seemingly had the game all but over at the main break with goals to Smith, Fitzgerald, Wells and three more to Bergles who was becoming very elusive and a handful for the Bulldogs’ defence.,

Pattison was running the ball well out of defence, Mullens was a busy player around the packs, Cooke was marking well in attack, but didn’t have his kicking boots on, and Neagle was getting his fare share of the football across half back for the Bulldogs.

Endres, Miller, Attenborough, Harrison and Law were stand outs for the Panthers, while the shear brilliance of Bergles was doing the finishing work in attack.

The Bulldogs came back hard in the third term with six goals of their own, with Pattinson, Morrow (two), Smith, Cooke and Redl all posting majors to get them back in the game.

Four goals down at the last change and there seemed to be some belief that the Bulldogs could continue on and get right into the game in the last term.

And it nearly happened with and early goal to Mayo and then another chance went begging in the goal square as Jason Attenborough laid the tackle of the match to stop a Korumburra-Bena goal from one metre out, which resulted in a turnover and a Kilcunda Bass goal at the other end of the ground.

Instead of being only two goals down, the Panthers were back out to a four goal lead and the heart had been ripped out of the Bulldogs and their supporters.

It was party time from then on with Bergles doing as he pleased to finish with eight goals for the game in a match winning performance, and Jason Wells kicked his fourth as the Panthers ran out winners 18-10 to 12-10 in what was a physical, but fair match played in good spirits. The clash was also well umpired and the huge crowd got plenty of entertainment from start to finish with many highlights.

Only two other sides in Welshpool 1969, 70 and 71 and Fish Creek, 2000, 2001, 2002 have won three premiership in a row in the last 40 odd years!

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