By Nick Creely
In the heat and with a hefty total to chase down, Brett Forsyth’s class shone brightest.
The champion Dandenong opener cracked his 13th Premier Cricket century, as the Panthers raced down Geelong’s 312 with ease on Saturday at Shepley Oval.
Legendary duo Tom Donnell and Forsyth set the tone early in the day, racing away to swiftly add 50 for the first wicket.
While the Cats attempted to break through without too much damage, the pair got into their groove, and saluted yet another 100 run partnership in their already storied history as opening partners.
Unluckily for Donnell, he was dismissed for 90 after spinner Brenton McDonald (1/99) got one through the gate, but his superb knock ensured the Panthers would be under no pressure in the afternoon.
From 1/168, Forsyth continued his grind, looking impenetrable in defense, and youngster Josh Slater (42) continued on with the momentum, finding six boundaries against the tiring bowlers.
Slater was eventually dismissed with the score at 2/258, and only one more wicket fell, that of James Nanopoulos (22), as Forsyth accelerated his sublime knock to finish on 144 not out, an innings which included seven fours and a maximum.
His 144 is Forsyth’s second highest score at Dandenong, closely followed by a 153 score against Essendon in the 2013/14 season. But it’s been an outstanding year for the gritty champ, who compiled 788 runs throughout the home and away season, while his partner in crime Donnell was as prolific, finishing with 634.
In what is set to be a cracking semi-final next week, Dandenong will host Rob Quiney’s in form St Kilda outfit, as the Panthers look to go one better on their disappointing finals exit last year.
Only a few weeks ago, St Kilda pipped the Panthers in an incredible win at Junction Oval, but the Panthers fell one wicket short of a reverse outright win.
It was also a Forsyth show in the second XI over the weekend, with Cam Forsyth notching up a second consecutive century against the Cats in a barnstorming win.
The Panthers chased down Geelong’s 286 on day one, with Forsyth making a 158 ball 103 not out, a knock of 15 boundaries.
Forsyth has hit a rich vein of form heading into finals after making 112 not out last week against Northcote.
Opener Brenton Murphy (68), Comrey Edgeworth (42) and Peter Sweeney (42 not out) ensured the Panthers would find the runs only four wickets down, as the Panthers also gear up for finals.
In the thirds, Luke McMaster took 6/35 as Dandenong won comfortably at Wilson Oval, while the Cats extraordinarily fell one run short in the fourths to hand Dandenong a thrilling win at Kardinia Park West.
