Panthers finish season on the right ‘Foote’

By Aiden Box

KILCUNDA-BASS have fought off a strong effort from the travelling Stars outfit to claim victory by 16-points and finish their season in style. 

Garfield came in on a high, following their maiden win of the season the round prior, and looked eager to launch themselves into the off-season with a streak of two.

They looked lively to start, booting three goals without a miss in the opening stanza to stay well in the hunt, as the Panthers managed four of their own. 

However, the hometown Panthers proved more than capable of managing the hunger of the young Stars, coming off a win themselves and carrying plenty of momentum they made the second term theirs. 

The hosts slotted another four goals to just two in the second, with dynamic ruck-midfielder duo Dale Gawley and Nathan Foote absolutely dominating once again. 

The visitors tried their best to nullify Foote’s brilliant ball-winning ability in the middle of the ground with a tag, although to no avail as he continued to gather plenty of possessions and set up play for Killy-Bass. 

Gawley was too at his crafty best, showing his unique talents in the ruck but also around the ground as a midfielder, impressing many in attendance. 

The Stars, as they had for two weeks prior, put on a stellar defensive effort in the third quarter, forcing the Panthers five shots on goal to miss, holding them goalless for the term, while booting one themselves. 

This ultimately kept them in with a sniff at the final change, as the Kilcunda-Bass lead stood at just 17-points. 

Both sides left it all out there in their charge to the final siren on season 2022, neither having made finals going home with 4 more points was greatly desired in the final half hour. 

In an even fourth quarter, both the Panthers and Stars slotted two goals, but the latter just could not make up the three-quarter time deficit. 

Spearhead Taylor Gibson slammed home two majors, while Cam McKenzie and Anthony Daraio played themselves into the best players list with a goal each, Foote was again best afield. 

For Garfield, Nicholas Lang continued his good form in front of goal with two majors, while Rhys Murphy who bagged a goal himself, Zac Soutar and Jack Barnes were among the best. 

The Panthers showed great promise in their first season under new head coach Lee Rowe, at one stage upsetting Bunyip and sparking a four game win streak, they finished three games outside the finals in ninth spot.