MPFNL 2023: Devon Meadows advances to preliminary final in Division 2
Paddy Ryder and Devon Meadows are chasing history — and the local town is buzzing like never before. “I’ve never felt electricity like it.’’
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Devon Meadows coach Ryan Hendy dropped to his haunches moments after the final siren on Sunday.
His Panthers had eliminated Karingal from the Mornington Peninsula league’s Division 2 finals in a gruelling first semi-final, 6.11 (47) to 4.13 (37), at Chelsea.
Hendy was spent, mentally exhausted after riding every kick and bump.
“I was knackered mate. They drained me,” he said.
“You ride the emotions that’s for sure.
“The boys showed a lot of character today. Karingal bloody brought it today didn’t they?”
A three-goal burst in the third quarter by by boom recruit Paddy Ryder was crucial as Devon Meadows edged a gallant Karingal in a pressure-packed tussle.
So, too, was the influence of co-captains Nick Battle and Dean Kent and the brilliant Joel Hillis.
With two finals wins under their belt, Devon Meadows is into a preliminary final showdown with Mornington on Saturday.
A historic first-ever senior premiership is just two wins away for the Panthers, who only last year snapped a two-decade finals drought, and last week won their first finals game since 1997.
This may be the Panthers best chance ever to crack their flag duck.
Ryder, the ex-AFL star, is also chasing his first premiership.
Hendy says he has “no doubt” his side can win the flag.
He says the support of the Devon Meadows township is spurring on his side.
“After the game — and I’ve been around footy since I was born, that’s 42 years — and I’ve never felt electricity like I felt in those rooms just then, that was something I’ve never experienced,” Hendy said after the game.
“The whole town is behind us. There’s a really good buzz. We’ve ticked two boxes, we’ve got two more to tick. You just never know.”
Hendy said the Panthers would regain in-and-under midfielder Stefan Baumgartner for the preliminary final and they’ll be at full strength.
“It’s probably the first time all year that we’ve had everyone on the park,’’ Hendy said.
“They’re starting to build that confidence that they can win those games...it makes a big difference. In a final you’ve got to work your arse off to get it, they never give it to you, it doesn’t matter who you play. Today I was pretty proud of them.’’
Hendy said his side had improvement left.
“Oh, most definitely, I don’t think we were at our best today, take nothing away from Karingal with their pressure, but I definitely don’t think we were near our best,’’ he said.
“I don’t think we used the footy as well as we should have today, I think we handed the ball over a lot. That’s usually something we pride ourselves on, our ball use. And that had a lot to do with the pressure that Karingal brought.’’
The winner of the the preliminary final will face Somerville, which is chasing its first senior flag since 1986, in the grand final.
Karingal 1.4, 2.7, 4.8, 4.13 (37) lt Devon Meadows 2.2, 2.4, 5.9, 6.11 (47).
Preliminary final: Mornington v Devon Meadows, at Rowley Reserve, Rye, on Saturday.
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