NFL 2018: Panton Hill to welcome back key forward Matthew Byron for Division 3 grand final

THE most prolific forward pairing in Division 3 will be reunited on the big stage next weekend, as Panton Hill plots to blow St Mary’s away in the NFL Division 3 grand final.

THE most prolific forward pairing in Division 3 will be reunited on the big stage as Panton Hill plots to blow St Mary’s away in the grand final.

The Redbacks will welcome back key forward Matthew Byron, who has not featured since August 11 and was a late withdrawal before Saturday’s Northern Football League preliminary final against South Morang.

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Despite his absence, Panton Hill earned another shot at flag favourite St Mary’s with a 10.7 (67) to 9.6 (60) victory over the Lions.

“I think he will get up for next week, 100 per cent,” coach Steve Layt said.

“He was just not 100 per cent sure and I said, ‘if you’re not 100 per cent, we’re not taking the chance’.

“The extra week will do him good. With the wet conditions, it (wasn’t) such a bad thing.”

Byron has kicked 44 goals in 15 games this year, despite his campaign being interrupted by injury.

John Pritchard of Panton Hill handpasses during Saturday’s preliminary final. Picture: Hamish Blair.

He will be deployed alongside the division’s leading goalkicker Rhys Boyden in the decider as Layt plans to stretch the Burra back line.

“Throughout the year he’s had a number of injuries with his shoulder, but that’s all good now,” Layt said of Byron.

“He had bruised ribs, then he copped a groin. If it was a grand final, we would have played him.”

Byron and Boyden (61) have combined for 105 goals this year, with Laurimar’s Dallas King (46) and Josh Williamson (42) the next best-ranked partnership.

“When you’ve got Matty Byron sitting beside Rhys Boyden at full forward, it just changes our whole game up,” Layt said.

Declan Carson-McLennan was a key figure for Panton Hill on Saturday. Picture: Hamish Blair

Layt praised the impact of centre-half-forward Declan Carson-McLennan in the preliminary final, as his presence in attack helped Panton Hill establish a 19-point quarter-time lead.

The Redbacks coach said his side would not allow St Mary’s to dictate terms in the decider, as it did for much of the major semi-final.

“Our objective was to play finals and contend next year,” Layt said.

“Now we are contending, we’re in the big dance.

“It’s a different mindset for the boys now. They’ve achieved their first goal.

“We’re the underdogs and that’s definitely not a bad position to be in.”

Scott Conte assesses his options for Panton Hill on Saturday. Picture: Hamish Blair.