Panthers prevail over Korumburra-Bena

KORUMBURRA-BENA keenly looked to bounce back following a tough loss to the Goon, when they welcomed familiar foe Kilcunda-Bass on Saturday. 

After teams took part in a close encounter back in round 10 that saw the Panthers claim victory by 18-points, the young Giants looked to return serve at home. 

As expected, it was a close first term, with both teams generating their fair share of shots at the big sticks. 

First blood was drawn by young Panthers recruit William Speed, who had a sensational first quarter up forward for the visitors including, of course, a major. 

Putting together some sort of season, Killy-Bass’ midfielder Nathan Foote was again dominant for his side from the outset, while Giants young gun Jay Walker was finding plenty of the ball himself. 

At the end of the opening stanza, it was the visiting Panthers who led it by 5-points.

They capitalised beautifully from their quarter time lead too, punching on two quick goals early in the second term as the big bodies of Dale Gawley and Dale Crawford began to give them a sizeable advantage in the middle. 

The young and injury riddled Giants outfit began to appear a touch overwhelmed by the pressure and tackling at the coal face, as the visitors started to flex their muscles and win multiple centre clearances. 

The hard work of Gawley, Crawford and Foote ignited the Panthers, who were just as good with their ball use on the outside as they kicked away with three more goals in the term. 

The pressure of star recruit and big body, Benjamin Eddy was also elite stopping plenty of scores for Kilcunda-Bass, as the Giants couldn’t quite find their polish and finish their opportunities, kicking just the two behinds for the quarter.

At the main break, the visitors lead stood at 24-points. 

However, the hosts came out in the second half and deployed a much need fightback, creating genuine scoring opportunities and halting the Panthers from creating their own. 

Despite getting themselves into position to take a scoring shot six times in the quarter, the hometown Giants were unfortunately inaccurate, with just two of the six going through the middle two posts. 

The inaccuracy bug didn’t only affect the hosts though, as the Panthers could only manage four behinds from as many shots in the term.

With both clubs desperate for another senior victory, the final quarter was set up to be a belter and that it was. 

The Giants showed a lot of heart, with young Walkers’ Jay, Kodie, Zach and Byron finding a lot of the football along with Daniel Brown who gave plenty of effort and Matthew Lello who was brilliant with two goals on the day. 

However, it wasn’t quite enough, the strong bodies and extra class and experience of Kilcunda-Bass helped them run away with the 8-point win. 

The Panthers will host Garfield to cap off their season next week, while the Giants will welcome Phillip Island.