By Nick Creely
There is no doubting that the young talent within Dandenong is the envy of the competition.
While the Panthers; dressed in pink supporting the McGrath Foundation; dominated Northcote at Shepley Oval; it was also dominating elsewhere, with the first, second and third XI combining for an incredible 982 runs between them.
At Shepley, Tom Donnell’s men ran across Northcote to pump out 9/315, with Lincoln Edwards (82), James Nanopoulos (60) and Brett Forsyth (53) carving the ball around.
Winning the toss, Donnell (19) and Forsyth found the going tough early, grinding out a gruelling opening session with the Dragons up and about.
Debutant Josh Slater (21) showed nice signs after Donnell was removed, combining in a 38 run partnership with Forsyth.
But it was Edwards and Nanopoulos who thrilled, putting on a fluent, at times effortless 132 run stand.
Jacques Augustin (28 not out) put an exclamation mark on a dominant opening day, creaming the ball to the boundary late in the day as the Panthers cruised to a mammoth total.
“It was really good, it was a much improved effort on the last couple of games, and it wasn’t easy going, so it was good to see our guys dig in and do the work,” Donnell said of his side’s performance.
Donnell explained that it was tough going early, but well expected, and was pleased that the middle order responded to a few down performances and capitalized in the middle of the day.
“It was more the pace of the wicket, it was quite slow, and hard to score; there was bit of variable bounce, but we knew it’d get better to bat on, and that was the case,” he said.
“LJ is one of the best batsman to watch in the comp when he gets going, and he batted beautifully on Saturday; the whole middle order put value on their wicket and did well.
“It was great to see Slats (Josh Slater) get in, he’s made a heap of runs, trains hard and is loved at the club; he looked good and was comfortable, and got a start but couldn’t push on.
“It was disappointing that no one could get the hundred, but it was a good team performance, and we walk off pretty happy with it.”
Donnell was also full of praise for the second XI, who made an incredible 4/375 at Bill Lawry Oval, a total that featured centuries by Ryan Quirk (170) and Cam Forsyth (112 not out), as well as a well-made 52 to Comrey Edgeworth.
“We have some great young talent, and sometimes you wish you could play 12, 13 or 14 blokes, and it makes it hard for the selectors, but it’s such a good sign for the club and we’re in really good shape.
“Ryan Quirk made 170 in the twos, and he is batting beautifully so I’m sure he will get his shot soon, and it’s just a matter of finding a spot for him.
“There seems to be one guy in the twos every week that makes a big hundred, and it’s great for the club; the morale is really high, and it sort of gives us the feeling that we have a bright future.
“Our young guys are coming on, not stagnating, and becoming really consistent.”
The thirds also compiled a total of 7/292 at Wilson Oval, with four Panthers scoring half centuries.
