Panton Hill claimed their second victory in the 2024 MC Labour Division 2 season, defeating Watsonia by 17 points at Binnak Park.

It was a terrific battle between two sides determined to get on the winners list, with each team producing strong periods that threatened to open up the game.

After leading by eight points at three quarter time, the Redbacks kicked the only two majors of the final term before the match concluded at the 14-minute mark of the quarter following an injury to a Watsonia player that needed medical attention.

The match ended with the visitors prevailing 11.6 (72) to 7.13 (55).

Panton Hill’s triumph came largely thanks to Riley Livingstone, who excelled inside forward 50 and kicked five majors for the game, including an excellent stanza in the third term where he kicked three goals in just four minutes.

All three Parks’ boys in Nicholas, Oliver and Samuel each had a say in the result while Joshua Callaway’s experience was vital in the defensive half.

Both Daniel Annetta and Harrison Sinclair earnt mentions in Watsonia’s best for a fourth consecutive match and they were thoroughly deserved.

Annetta fought his way through contested stoppages and was able to win important clearances for his team while also hitting the scoreboard. Sinclair was instrumental off half back, and combined well with captain Joshua Boulton to continually sent the hosts into attack.

Saints leading goalkicker Ethan Lowe got into the match after a slow opening term and finished with three majors from his six scoring shots for the afternoon.

Despite sunny conditions at Binnak Park, the first seven scores of the match were behinds before Jye Murphy burst away from a stoppage to fire Watsonia’s first goal of the match in time-on.

The Redbacks responded within minutes of Murphy’s major, as Livingstone volleyed the ball in the goal square before Oliver Parks converted his set shot to see Simon Amore’s men lead by seven points at the first break.

Panton Hill extended their advantage early in the second courtesy of Declan McLennan before Luke Pantalone got a goal back for the home side with a nice finish.

After a couple of near chances, Watsonia spearhead Ethan Lowe started to find his groove in the middle stages of the quarter and kicked two of the next three goals to return his side the lead.

But a second goal from Livingstone put the Redbacks four points to the good by half time.

He would continue his dominance into the second half, setting alight the third term following a stagnant opening 10 minutes with three goals in a four-minute interval which highlighted his impressive contested marking and efficiency in front of goal.

It pushed Panton Hill’s lead out to a game-high 21 points, but it lasted only momentarily as Watsonia continued to fight back.

George Lattouf’s men kicked the next three goals of the game, with Annetta, Lowe and Corey Potter all combining to hit the scoreboard and suddenly find themselves just one behind down approaching the three quarter time siren.

Thomas Blake was able to settle the nerves of Redbacks’ fans just moments before the final change, as he converted his set shot to see his side ahead by eight points.

Watsonia would have one more scoring shot than their opponents in the 14 minutes that were played in the final term but could only muster behinds while the Redbacks kicked 2.0.

Soctt Conte’s major at the 13-minute mark would be the final major of the game, as Panton Hill finished 17-point winners, condemning the Saints to an 0-4 start in 2024.

By Nicholas Sacco