PANTHERS coach Mark Pederson said his players were really clicking in how he wanted them to play – how he believed they could play. And Pederson could see the same things happening in the Sebastopol camp.
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Pederson said wins on the board were not Melton South’s top focus, he wants development, but a 30-point win against the Burra at Marty Busch on Saturday was good reward. He knows how pumped up the Burras would have been to try and claim that reward too.
“This was quite a good game. They have some good players and took it right up to us to the end,” Pederson said. “We’ve got a big game next week against Darley, it’ll be like boys versus men, but so long as the boys get the best of themselves. We’ll have a bit more belief after the win.”
The Burras held a five-point lead at quarter-time but the Panthers made the same scoring shots, then held the Burras in the third quarter before pulling away.
Panthers’ captain Shaun White set the tone. Youngsters Michael Callus, Billy Sullivan and Jon Bell were handy. Lachie Watkins took on VFL-listed Burras’ big man Rowan Marshall – a bigger, stronger opponent playing centre-half forward. Pederson said their growing confidence and tenacity was exciting to coach.
Marshall booted two goals and was among the Burras’ best with Daniel Cuthbertson. This loss is disappointing for the winless Burra, who have a tough finish ahead including Darley, Sunbury and Bacchus Marsh.
