Panthers leap into finals

By Glen Atwell
ONE round remains in the Victorian Premier League and the Dandenong Panthers appear to have secured a spot in the final six.
A one-day game against North Melbourne, which is out of the finals race in 11th position, is all that separates the Panthers from a chance to play Premier finals.
With the match scheduled at Shepley Oval, the Panthers should win comfortably and guarantee themselves a top-six position, but even if they lose, finals are still a possibility.
Melbourne, seventh on the ladder, is one win behind the Panthers and will need to beat competition powerhouse St Kilda and hope that Dandenong stumble to open up a position in the top six.
On Saturday the Panthers were beaten by Fitzroy-Doncaster who comfortably chased down the 161 required for first-innings points.
Despite having the weather to blame for their modest first innings score, the Panthers had their opposition in trouble at 3/42, but Fitzroy batsman Peter Roach assured his side of the points with an unbeaten century (100 not out).
Darren Pattinson collected 2/58 from his 13-over spell.
After a seesawing start to the season, the Panthers asserted themselves as finals’ contenders and, barring a last-round disaster, should sneak into the final six.
The final round of the Premier League regular season hits into action at 11am on Shepley Oval this Saturday.