Jason Pannam inspires Panton Hill in come-from-behind win over Thomastown

In his first game since Round 1 last year, Jason Pannam’s five-goal haul inspired Panton Hill to a come-from-behind win over Thomastown - it’s first since 2013.

Sam Parks tries to break a tackle. Picture: Field of View Photography

It’s only Round 1 but Jason Pannam’s comeback story might be hard to top this season.

The Panton Hill forward inspired the Redbacks to a come-from-behind 16-point win over Thomastown at Main Street Reserve on Saturday with a superb five-goal haul.

The match was Pannam’s first since Round 1 last year as he struggled with knee issues and missed the rest of the NFNL Division 2 season.

The Bears started strongly, leading by 22 points at quarter-time, but Panton Hill took control from there and finished 10.9 (69) to 8.5 (53) victors.

Redbacks coach Simon Amore paid tribute to his resilience after missing so much time.

Riley Livingstone in action for Panton Hill. Picture: Field of View Photography

“Jase’s been unlucky, he’s bounced around a little bit and had a horror run with his body,” Amore said.

“He came off an ACL at Heidelberg (in 2023) and had some issues with it last year, so he’s like a new recruit.

“He just oozes X-factor, he’s quick off the mark and strong in the air and has a wonderful goal sense.

“Given where he’s been, his practice game form was solid but you never know until the real stuff starts and then to have the impact he did (on Saturday) was excellent.”

The win was the Redbacks’ first in Round 1 since their 2019 Division 3 premiership season.

It also breaks a 12-year drought with the Redbacks’ last win over the Bears coming in Round 14, 2013 – also a premiership-winning season.

However, it was soured by serious injuries to skipper Sam Parks and Scott Conte.

Panton Hill was held goalless in the opening quarter but kicked 4.5 in the second term to narrow the margin to just two points at half-time.

Thomastown was held to one goal in the second term and then scoreless in the third as the Redbacks’ defence muscled up.

On a hot day, the game opened up in the final term and the Bears got within nine points when Makka Zakkour goalled at the 20-minute mark.

However, Pannam’s fifth of the day steadied the ship and Jaspa Gook goaled shortly after to restore a 21-point advantage and all but seal the game.

“It was very pleasing to play the football we did after quarter-time, to show that resolve and work ourselves back into the game and into a winning position,” Amore said.

“We felt good pre-game, we had a good lead-up, but Round 1 is a very big unknown.

“We started flat, we were beaten around the contest and got away from us early, so we made an effort to address that and made the adjustment.

“Once we got going we looked really impressive to be honest, the second and third quarter were really pleasing.

“Our back six was really impressive, Hugh Kavanagh in his first game was a real general, Ben Donoghue was very solid and Riley Livingstone played a good game down there as well.”

Ollie Parks was named best-on-ground in the win, while Riley Livingstone, Pannam and Bailey Sobol were also impressive.

For Thomastown, Michael Tabacco was best afield, together with Jackson Hayse, Youseph Dib and Adrian Natoli, Zakkour and Kyle Green booted three goals.

It’s a critical win for Panton Hill as it looks to climb the ladder this season.

Amore said early-season wins were vital.

“I was speaking to Sash (Spirovski) after the game, we’re all aware you can throw a blanket over that four to eight (positions) – probably more,” he said.

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“It’s so important to bank wins when you can and give yourself every opportunity.

“It’s a long season, you get wound up for Round 1 but there’s 17 more to go, so it’s a good start and it’s really important to beat those teams around us and build momentum.”

Elsewhere in Division 2, Diamond Creek welcomed Macleod back to the competition with a resounding 41-point win at DeWinton Reserve as young gun Jett McLaughlan booted four goals.

Similarly, Whittlesea welcomed Old Paradians with a 59-point thumping, dampening the Raiders’ premiership flag unfurling, while St Mary’s smashed Watsonia by 85 points and Lower Plenty edged Northcote Park by 20 points.