Mullaney magic sees Panthers through

DANDENONG pulled off the seemingly impossible outright victory to knock out last year’s champions Richmond and book a home qualifying final against St Kilda.
Chasing 119 on the first innings, Dandenong’s gun-pair Tom Donnell (88 not out) and Brett Forsyth (51) charged through the deficit, giving the Panthers a 32-run first innings lead.
Putting Richmond back in to chase the much-needed outright, Richmond teed up, belting 138 from 33.2 overs to set up an interesting run-chase for Dandenong, following the workhorse effort of Justin Butterfield (5/33) and the continued ace all-round efforts of James Nanopoulos (3/20).
Losing all the recognised batsmen around him, Englishman Steve Mullaney (65 not out) was the anchor to keep Dandenong on track.
At 5/47 chasing 110, hopes looked dashed until Mullaney and Nanopoulos (18 not out) hit the singles and thought their way out of trouble. With news filtering through about Melbourne University’s loss, Dandenong knew it was through to the finals if it wasn’t dismissed, so went about eking out the remaining runs to take the outright and fourth spot that went with it.
“Both teams needed an outright and it was only later in the day that we knew university lost and with six points we’d be assured,” Dandenong coach Steve Chapman said.
” Mullaney just took it on – started with Charith and finished with James.
“Often he took the responsibility and initiative and when we really needed it, he took the bull by the horns and said we’ve got this. He looked every bit the professional player he is and they’re the best runs he’s ever got for us.”
Unfortunately for Dandenong, Mullaney had to return home this week for county cricket commitments, leaving the Panthers without their gun number four. Taj Hamzad, Jack Worrall and James Wilcocks have been brought into the 13-man squad for the match against St Kilda, to be played at Shepley Oval this weekend.
“I think we’ll be alright – added Jack Worrall, Taj Hamzad and James WIlcocks as Mullaney has left – we’ll have another quickman brought in,” Chapman said.
“Hamzad has a second XI hundred – overseas player from the UK and one of my academy’s players – he’s had a good year.”
Crucially to Chapman is his side staying alert throughout the entire match, as short moments of distraction have cost them dearly.
“I felt all year, we’ve got a really, really strong side, but when we’ve been poor we’ve been poor in small periods and we’ve had a crap hour or half hour,” Chapman said.
“Against Ringwood we lost 5/19, but we dominated that game besides that.
“I certainly think we’ve been good enough for finals, and but didn’t look like we’d get in.”
Dandenong will face St Kilda – chock-full of Victorian representatives with Rob Quiney, Peter Handscomb and James Muirhead likely to play.