By Nick Creely
VIC PREMIER
REVIEW – ROUND 14 (DAY TWO)
This might just be one of those weekends that Dandenong can quickly forget in the bigger picture of what they’re trying to achieve this season.
With the Panthers coming down from one of the more stunning White Ball premierships in recent memory, maybe it was inevitable that a down game was on its way, considering the fact they have hardly put out a foot out of place this season.
That game was against Essendon on day two of their clash at Shepley Oval.
Day one was fascinating; the Panthers had the Bombers 5/48, before Michael Hill and Clint McKay made half centuries and the visitors reached 249.
Resuming at 1/31, Comrey Edgeworth (10) fell early, a victim of Mckay’s (4/43) match winning class, and in the next over, Lincoln ‘LJ’ Edwards (0) had his stumps shattered by Matt Doric for a golden duck, before Doric struck again soon after to remove Ed Newman, also for a duck.
Suddenly, the Panthers had its key middle order jets back in the sheds, and faced a challenge that hasn’t faced them too often this season; it’s lower order guiding them home.
Brett Forsyth (56) remained steady at the top and rode a wave of Bomber momentum, but his wicket; also off McKay and caught by impressive keeper Isaac Conway; effectively snuffed out any chance of a Panther victory.
From 6/85, Peter Cassidy (10) and Akshat Buch (6) hung around for a while, but it was veteran Darren Pattinson (53 not out off 30 balls) that provided some late fireworks and some respectability to the scoreboard.
Pattinson sent four maximums over the rope, in another reminder that he has still got all of his power and presence, but it was too little too late for his side, and they were bundled out for 166, well short of the target.
“We came in reasonably confident, but early wickets really set us back, and that wasn’t ideal,” Panthers skipper Tom Donnell said.
“We thought we had a good chance; especially for our middle order who probably haven’t had a lot of opportunity this season; and just couldn’t capitalize, we should be able to deliver.
“But they’re a quality side with both bat and ball, and we couldn’t handle the pressure of the red ball with the bat.”
There are, however, some consequences to come out of the loss, with Footscray and Fitzroy Doncaster’s outright victories against Casey-South Melbourne and Greenvale forcing the Panthers out of top spot, and into third position for the time being.
Donnell said that despite his side being a bit “flat”, they are confident it’s just a minor slip up in an already crammed ladder.
“We know how tight the ladder is, and we just have to keep winning,” he said.
“At the end of the day, it’s not really where you sit on the ladder; it’s more about how you’re travelling as a team.”
It doesn’t get any easier for the Panthers in Round 15, who travel to the newly redeveloped Junction Oval to face finals hopeful St Kilda.
“St Kilda are a tough side; they back themselves in and are an extremely proud club who wants to play; all we want to do is play well,” Donnell said.
“We’re looking forward to getting to Junction; it should be a really exciting weekend.”
