Darcy Vallance’s game-saving mark secures Eltham a thrilling win over Lower Plenty
Eltham co-captain Darcy Vallance denies Lower Plenty’s last-quarter comeback as the Panthers turn one point into four points.
Northern
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One point equalled four points for Eltham on Saturday.
The Panthers withstood a final quarter barrage from Lower Plenty at Montmorency Park to secure a thrilling victory and cement itself on top of the NFL Division 1 ladder.
Darcy Vallance was the hero, the Eltham co-captain taking a match-saving mark on the last-line of defence to deny Darcy Barden a goal with less than a minute on the clock.
The Bears left to rue calamitous inaccuracy in front of goal, having nine more scoring shots but losing, 15.5 (95) to 13.16 (94).
Eltham coach Rob Hyde conceded the win may have come with some luck but was proud of his team’s fight against the tide in the fourth quarter.
“In some ways we were a bit lucky but that’s footy,” he said.
“We scrapped and fought hard when they were charging home, one point for four points.
“We lost a defender in the first 10 minutes so our backs stayed on the ground all day, I was really impressed with their efforts.
“With about three minutes to go we were a point in front and we just made a mess of it and we were lucky enough to get over the line.
“They got to a point and were on the charge but we just blocked it up and got stoppage after stoppage and it was a good lesson for our guys.
“I think it aged me the last few minutes.”
Eltham led all day, taking a 16-point lead into quarter-time and extending the margin to 18-point at the half.
A Lower Plenty five-goal third quarter reduced the lead to just 12 points at the final change but the Bears kicked 3.6 in the final term to let the win slip.
Eltham’s Luke Sirianni was named best afield for his three-goal performance from the wing.
Daniel Horsfield also booted three majors, while Lane Sinclair, Vallance and Ben Smith were among the Panthers’ best.
Hyde hoped Sirianni’s performance helped him reach his potential.
“Luke’s played the last two or three years in and out (of the seniors) but he’s put about six or seven in a row now,” Hyde said.
“It was a breakout game, he’s really quick guy and hard at it, I said after the match that this could be a turning point for him.
“Hopefully it gives him a bit of belief and confidence and can keep going on with it … to kick three goals from the wing is a bloody good effort.”
Eltham lost Brayden Taglieri the morning of the match and handed Liam Rushton-McCoach a senior debut.
Cam Sullivan injured his knee in the first quarter but has pulled up well and could face Watsonia next week.
Tyler Wallace was Lower Plenty’s best as he and Tom Keys both kicked four goals, while Tom Blake, Barden and Ciaran Porter also impressed.
“They’re a good team, Lower Plenty, they’re top six or seven is equal to anybody in the league,” Hyde said.
“It’s hard to stop Tom Keys and Darcy Barden and Tom Blake gave our young bloke, Finnbar Maley, a bit of a lesson in the ruck.
“It ebbed and flowed but when we had control we were able to kick three of four goals and they kicked two goals, four or five – that was the difference – we were able to convert.”
The Panthers hosts Watsonia at Central Park on Saturday looking to respond after a 17-point loss to St Mary’s.
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Hyde knows his team will have to be switched on for the much-improved Saints.
“It’s tight, you could sort of put down Watsonia and St Mary’s as wins last year but it goes down to Thomastown in seventh this year,” he said.
“Watsonia had their leading goalkicker and a couple of others out so if they get them back we’ll have to be on top of our game.”
Lower Plenty remains in fourth, ahead of St Mary’s on percentage, and face the winless Fitzroy Stars on Saturday.
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