Panton Hill kicks 10 goals in the first quarter to set up dominant NFL Division 3 win over Mernda

A staggering 17 goals in the first half set up Panton Hill’s dominant win over Mernda at Cracknell Reserve as last year’s grand finalists start to find top gear in 2019.

Scott Conte in action for Panton Hill. Picture: Hamish Blair

A 10-goal first quarter kick-started Panton Hill’s big 56-point win over Mernda on Saturday.

Another seven goals in the second quarter put the result beyond doubt at half-time and the Redbacks cruised to a 23.11 (149) to 14.11 (95) win at Cracknell Reserve.

Panton Hill’s only blemish this NFL Division 3 season was a one-point defeat to Laurimar and the high-scoring win sets up a blockbuster clash with West Heidelberg this Saturday.

Redbacks coach Steve Layt said getting off to good starts had become a hallmark of his team.

“Each and every week we’ve got off to a flyer and a 10-goal opening quarter put the game under control,” he said.

Scott Conte celebrates a goal. Picture: Nathan McNeill

Rhys Boyden in action for Panton Hill.

“To be fair Mernda battled it out after half-time and I think it was six goals each.

“I was really happy with the win after Mernda smashed us in Round 1 last year and pushed us again late in the year … there’s no doubt they get up for us.”

Rhys Boyden and Cam Jordan spearheaded Panton Hill’s victory with seven and five goals respectively.

Daniel Freeman was best on ground in the win while Tait Forster and Scott Conte also impressed.

“Dan’s form has been building after he was injured early in the season,” Layt said.

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“He’s really hitting his straps now — and he’s a local Panton Hill kid which is great — he would have only had 20 touches but they were all excellent.

“Rhys was just awesome up front and Scott Conte is just in fantastic form.”

The win leaves Panton Hill in third behind Laurimar and West Heidelberg with a gap back to South Morang and Kilmore.

Meanwhile in other Division 3 results, Laurimar and West Heidelberg continued their undefeated starts to the season with 36 and 40-point wins over Kilmore and Eltham Collegians respectively.

South Morang claimed a thriller over Lalor, holding off the Bloods by six points.

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