Mornington Peninsula league: Devon Meadows breaks 21-year finals drought in Division 2

Relief and emotion engulfed the Panthers after they secured their first MPNFL finals berth since 2001. And they’ll go in with an ace up their sleeve.

Brady O’Toole takes a kick for Devon Meadows. Picture: Valeriu Campan

They’re in.

Devon Meadows beat Seaford by 45 points in the last round of the Division 2 season on Saturday to secure fourth spot, ending one of the longest finals droughts in the MPNFL.

“Twenty-one years it’s been,’’ Devon Meadows coach Ryan Hendy said.

“It’s a bit of a relief.”

Devon Meadows last played finals in 2001 when Rod Keogh was coach.

Ironically, the Panthers lost to Doveton in that finals series — and Hendy was on the other side as one of the Doves’ best players.

Fast forward two decades and Hendy is now trying to take Devon Meadows to its first-ever senior premiership.

He said there were “some really happy people” at the club on Saturday, especially Barry Parsons, Chris Langley and Helen Flanagan.

“It’s just really good to see people like that get some reward for their hard work,” Hendy said.

Devon Meadows coach Ryan Hendy (right), with his assistant Dean Rice (left). Picture: Valeriu Campan

Devon Meadows midfield gun Nick Battle turned in another sizzling best-on-ground display as the Panthers led throughout to beat Seaford 14.14 (98) to 6.7 (43) at Miles Reserve.

Battle has averaged 35 disposals in the past five weeks.

Devon Meadows defender Daniel Hellyer played his first game in 10 weeks after recovering from a thumb fracture.

“He’s our full back and he just adds so much, he’s nearly our most important player,” Hendy said of Hellyer.

“He got the wires out last week but he hasn’t missed a training session, does all the running.”

Hendy said the Panthers’ win over Seaford was “one of our better four quarter efforts’’ of the season.

Their forward line functioned well, with Justin Kiss slotting four goals and Rory Hillis, Brodie McConnell and Hamish McLeod two apiece.

Liam Drew and Brayden Haynes also impressed.

Devon Meadows captain Joel Hillis kicks. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Devon Meadows went into the game without former St Kilda player Brandon White, who was still recovering from a leg injury.

“He’s been sore the last three or four weeks carrying a bit of a quad injury,” Hendy said.

“We were pretty confident we’d make finals so we thought we’d play the smart card and rest him, make sure he’s cherry ripe for next week.”

Devon Meadows will face fellow drought-breakers Pearcedale in the elimination final at Chelsea next Sunday.

The Dales last played finals in 2013.

Both Devon and Pearcedale are 11-7 this year.

“Next week will be the first time in 10 weeks we’re going to have a full list,” Hendy said.

Asked what plans he has for Pearcedale star Ryan Bastinac in the do-or-die final, Hendy said: “He’ll be heavily tagged, there’s no doubt about that.”

MPNFL Division 2 ladder: Langwarrin 70, Karingal 52, Somerville 48, Devon Meadows 44, Pearcedale 44, Chelsea 40, Mornington 32, Seaford 32, Rye 32, Hastings 20, Tyabb 10, Crib Point 8.

Finals:

Saturday, August 20: Qualifying final - Karingal v Somerville, at Rye.

Sunday, August 21: Elimination final - Devon Meadows v Pearcedale, at Chelsea.