NFL 2018: St Mary’s defeats Panton Hill in Division 3 grand final to win first senior flag

ST MARY’S withstood a persistent Panton Hill to secure its maiden senior premiership with a 13-point victory in Saturday’s Division 3 grand final.

ST MARY’S withstood a persistent Panton Hill to secure its maiden senior premiership with a 13-point victory in Saturday’s Division 3 grand final.

The unfancied Redbacks led at quarter-time at Whittlesea Showgrounds and stayed within striking distance throughout an absorbing contest after a four-goal burst in the second term put the Burra in control.

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Alek Tsardakis answered St Mary’s goals three times during the second half for Panton Hill, pulling his side within eight points with six minutes left in the decider with his fourth major.

But as they have done for so much of 2018, the Burra answered each question posed by their grand final opponent.

St Mary’s Jordan Galea reacts on the final siren. Picture: Hamish Blair.

Nick Daisley sealed the result with a goal deep into the last quarter and three minutes later the St Mary’s faithful swarmed the ground to celebrate an 11.7 (73) to 8.12 (60) triumph.

“Everyone was waiting for St Mary’s to fall over,” coach Fabian Carelli said.

“We changed the brand of what we are about this year and we continued to work hard for results. We just don’t give in.”

Chris Petroro & Leigh Sullivan have been super for @StMarysSFC. And the Burra have kicked 4 in a row to lead by 13. Game has changed completely.

— Tim Michell (@tim_michell) September 8, 2018

That attitude was evident on Saturday as the Burra denied Panton Hill an opportunity to draw within a kick despite its valiant efforts in the second half.

Led by industrious on-baller Matthew Fowler, the Redbacks regained ascendancy in the middle after majors from Jacob Yeomans and Nick Dean put St Mary’s 19 points ahead.

The deficit was only nine points with a quarter to play and had Panton Hill not registered 4.9 after halftime, the final margin would have been closer.

Nick Daisley celebrates his goal late in the last quarter which sealed the victory. Picture: Hamish Blair

Best on ground Myles Guldon, skipper Dillan Ronalds, defender Leigh Sullivan and midfielder Chris Petroro ensured the Burra would not be denied, hauling their side to a win which will live long in the memory bank of the supporters from Whatmough Park.

“We’d surge for five, 10, 15 minutes and then maybe take the foot off slightly and Panton Hill would come,” Carelli said.

“It was a game of shifting momentum in the end and we were just able to hold on for a little bit longer.”

Daisley pins Pritchard in a tackle, wins a free-kick and that should do it now for @StMarysSFC. They're singing 'Football's Coming Home' behind the fence. @northernfnl

— Tim Michell (@tim_michell) September 8, 2018

Carelli said the Burra, who also celebrated a reserves premiership, would be ready for the jump in class to Division 2.

“We’ve got a great list together. With a couple of extra recruits, I think we can compete,” he said.

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