Old Paradians come from behind to defeat Panton Hill for fourth win of season

Can Old Paradians start planning for NFNL Division 2 footy in 2026? A come-from-behind win over Panton Hill has given the club much-needed breathing space.

Lachie Kerr celebrates a goal for Old Paradians. Picture: Josh Chadwick

Can Old Paradians can start planning for NFNL Division 2 football in 2026?

The Raiders moved two games clear of relegation with a rousing 14-point win over Panton Hill at Garvey Oval on Saturday.

In its maiden Division 2 campaign, the 9.5 (59) to 7.4 (46) triumph is the club’s fourth of the season and gives it critical breathing space with only four games left.

The home team took advantage of a strong breeze to pile on five goals, while keeping the Redbacks scoreless, in the last quarter to charge home from 19 points down at three-quarter-time.

Paradians coach Ben Turner isn’t counting his chickens just yet.

Tom Cooper in action for Old Paradians. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“We’re not quite there, there’s obviously some important games to come,” Turner said.

“We want to perform as well as we can in these last four weeks.

“We said at the half-way point, we’ve seen everything, and it was important for us to go into every game and try to better every result.

“I feel like we’re getting a few things right when it matters.

“There’s some opportunities to win and it’s in our own hands when it comes to where we got from here.”

Kicking against a strong wind at Garvey Oval, Paradians were held scoreless in the first quarter.

Panton Hill took a 19-point lead to quarter-time but the Raiders responded with the wind at their back and turned the deficit into a five-point half-time lead with four unanswered goals.

Knowing it had the wind in the last, the home team was able to hold the Redbacks to four goals in the third to limit the damage.

Patrick Amenta got the first goal inside two minutes before Xavier Montgomery, Rufus Jones, Noah Whittle and Lachie Kerr brought the team home.

“It was a see-sawing battle, I don’t think anyone expected it to be as difficult to score at the Plenty Road end as what it proved,” Turner said.

“All the goals were scored at the school end, which we kicked to in the last quarter, and we utilised to our advantage.

“It was blowing across the oval but it just seemed like both teams struggled to get the ball inside 50 at the Plenty Road end, to get the ball into a dangerous spot to score.

“For us it was the right end at the right time.”

Rufus Jones finished with two goals and took a number of telling marks to earn best-on-ground honours.

Lewis Franz, Sam Philp, Jack Nicolo, Billy Bedford and Kyle O’Sullivan also shone, while Kerr finished with three goals.

“Rufus had a blinder, he handled the conditions really well,” Turner said.

“He took some big marks throughout the game and in the last quarter, when we needed someone in front of the footy to take a catch, he was doing it.

“He’s still only 19 years of age and hopefully it’s a breakout game for him.”

Paradians have had former Carlton speedster Philp available for the past three games as he builds fitness, producing strong performances in each.

The Port Melbourne VFL-listed ace would be a huge boost to the club if he’s allowed to remain at local level the rest of the year.

“When you sign a VFL player you hope you see him at different times,” Turner said.

“We’ve seen Sam the past couple of weeks and it’s been terrific, he’s a great person but he brings a high level and standard to what he does out there.

“His efforts were wonderful and a lot of the boys jumped on his coat-tails.

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“He had an injury, he’s got a history with soft tissues, and (Port) sent him back to club land and now it’s probably week-to-week for him.”

For Panton Hill, Oliver Parks was best afield with three goals, while Hugh Kavanagh, Mitch Buckley and Sam Parks also shone.

The Raiders face Lower Plenty, relegation rivals Watsonia and Thomastown and St Mary’s in the final month.

Panton Hill remains sixth and is two games behind Northcote Park in the race for a top-five finish.