MPFNL Division 2: Devon Meadows halt Chelsea’s unbeaten run

Devon Meadows has detailed the sacrifices its star players are making to achieve success as the Panthers surge to 7-1 in MPFNL Division 2.

Devon Meadows captain Nick Battle. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Devon Meadows coach Ryan Hendy has poured praise on two of his side’s stars, detailing the sacrifices they’re making to achieve success.

He said captain Nick Battle and vice-captain Joel Hillis had “really ramped it up” as the Panthers have surged to 7-1 in MPFNL Division 2.

The pair were instrumental as Devon Meadows ended ladder leader Chelsea’s unbeaten run with a 53-point win on Saturday.

“Joel Hillis is playing footy like I don’t think I’ve seen someone play footy,’’ Hendy said.

“He’s absolutely destroyed it over the past six, seven weeks.

“He’s ultra professional, he works on his craft so much and he’s kind of treating like it’s a semi professional kind of role for him at the moment. Like, he doesn’t seem to have a drink or anything like that, he’s always training, doing the extra work, getting all of his recovery in. He’s definitely gone to another level with his footy.

“Nick has always been very professional, he never plays a bad game, Nick.”

Joel Hillis with the ball for the Panthers. Picture: Valeriu Campan

On Saturday, the Panthers kicked eight first-half goals to hurry to a 40-point lead and capped the display with six goals in the last quarter to win 15.10 (100) to 6.11 (47).

Hendy said his side’s midfield dominance and leg speed on the outside set up the victory.

“Jack Wilson was massive, he’s only a 19 year old kid who plays on a half forward flank,’’ he said.

“He would have touched it 25 times from a flank.’’

Devon’s other youngsters sparkled, notably Toby and Patrick Sinnema, who kicked two goals apiece, and Riley McDonald.

“They’re just young kids and they’ve got heaps and heaps of leg speed,’’ Hendy said.

Patrick Harmes and Bailey Phillips both slotted three goals, while Riley Simmons and Ty Kirkwood were also among the Panthers’ best.

Riley McDonald.

Patrick Sinnema.

The win lifted Devon Meadows to top spot and, Hendy said, gave the Panthers a “massive confidence’’ boost.

He said three of Devon’s key players, Paddy Ryder, Dean Kent and Hayden Murphy didn’t play but will return in the coming weeks.

“They’re three really good players obviously so to beat them that convincingly without them will just give the group so much confidence,’’ he said.

Hendy said Ryder and Kent were recovering from injuries and saw no point rushing them back.

“Paddy could’ve have played the last two or three weeks but we looked at the fixture…we’ve got Hastings this week coming up and then we’ve got the bye,’’ he said.

“So we just went what’s the point, let’s just make sure he’s a hundred percent cherry ripe for after the bye and we can attack the back end of the year with him playing fully fit. Dean Kent will be around the same time, he trained during the week, so he’s not far off. Hayden Murphy gets back from holidays next week.

“After the bye we should have a full list going forward again.

“We learned a lesson last year when we limped to the line, Paddy was on one leg...we limped to the line and it really took a toll on us, by the time we got to Mornington we were cooked.

We’ve learnt from that and we want to make sure manage everybody and have a full list at the pointy end of the year.’’