Old Paradians claims its first NFNL Division 2 win in come-from-behind thriller

Old Paradians breaks new ground, claiming its maiden NFNL Division 2 victory, inspired by a club great making his return from concussion.

Marcus Nolan in action for Old Paradians. Picture: Josh Chadwick

Old Paradians has broken new ground, earning its maiden NFNL Division 2 victory.

The Raiders broke through for a five-point win over Panton Hill at Cracknell Reserve on Saturday, its first at the level after being promoted last season.

It had been a difficult start to the campaign, with five straight losses by an average of 74 points.

However, the reigning Division 3 premier found another level in cold, wet conditions, coming from eight points down at three-quarter-time to triumph 8.9 (57) to 7.10 (52).

Premiership captain Marcus Nolan returned from concussion to produce a man-of-the-match performance, inspiring his club when it mattered most.

Anthony Cafari celebrates a goal for Old Paradians. Picture: Josh Chadwick

In a tense finish, Matt Christopoulos got Panton Hill back within a goal but Paradians held firm in the dying minutes.

Raiders coach Ben Turner said it was a reward for his players after a difficult couple of months.

“Obviously it’s been a challenging start, so to get a win under our belt is good reward for sticking at it,” Turner said.

“We felt like the game was there for the taking.

“We hadn’t taken some opportunities in front of goal early in the piece but after half-time we did, we started to get that scoreboard pressure which we’d been lacking.

“We kicked the first three and got out by just under two goals, you knew if they kicked a goal it was going to be tense.

“Thankfully for us, we were able to get the ball forward – but being on such a small ground you don’t have the luxury of bottling it up inside 50 – and to the boys’ credit they did what was required.

“The final siren went, much to the relief of everyone.”

The home team held a three-point lead at quarter-time as Old Paradians wasted several opportunities in front of goal, kicking 0.5.

The Redbacks extended the lead to 10 points at half-time before the visitors started to find their range.

An eight-point three-quarter-time margin was the smallest the Raiders had faced this season.

Lachie Kerr booted the first major inside a minute to make it a two-point ball game before Jack Woodfall put his side in front for the first time since the opening minutes of the match.

Josh Lamers then kicked what proved to be the match-winner.

Nolan – who handed over the captaincy at the end of last season – returned from a concussion suffered in Round 3 and was named best-on-ground.

“He decided at the end of last year, that was the perfect way for him to hand over as a premiership captain,” Turner said.

“Opposition teams potentially know a little bit about him but he’s such a wonderful footballer and we’re a better team with him out there.

“He’d been out for a few weeks with a concussion he got in the Diamo game, and in typical Marcus Nolan fashion he came off a few times with blood on his nose and a cut above his eye.

“He was wonderful, the conditions were pretty challenging and he’s the sort of guy that makes it look dry, he just seems to handle any conditions.”

Captaincy successor Kyle O’Sullivan, Darcy Vallance, Sebastian Cannizzaro, Woodfall and Heath Phillips also impressed in the win.

For Panton Hill, Nick Parks was best afield along with Bailey Sobol, Riley Livingstone and Tom Blake (three goals).

Old Paradians will now look to make it two wins on the trot when they host winless Watsonia.

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“The belief factor has been battered a bit, it’s been a tough five weeks,” Turner said.

“We’ve shown patches of competitiveness but not been able to turn that into a win, or even a close margin.

“So to be well in the game and convert an opportunity into a win, the club and playing group will get a lot out of that.”

Panton Hill will look to bounce back when it hosts Lower Plenty.