Panton Hill squeeze past Laurimar in thrilling NFL Division 3 major semi-final

Panton Hill earns a spot in a second straight NFL Division 3 grand final with a thrilling major semi-final win over Laurimar in hurricane conditions at Whittlesea Showgrounds.

Laurimar and Panton Hill players come together. Picture: David Crosling

Panton Hill’s red-hot form continued on Saturday as the Redbacks sealed a place in a second consecutive NFL Division 3 grand final.

The eight-point win over Laurimar in the major semi-final was the Redbacks’ 10th victory on the trot and secured them another shot at promotion.

Played in hurricane conditions at Whittlesea Showgrounds, Panton Hill coach Steve Layt said his team’s defence against the wind was the deciding factor.

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“It was really difficult conditions, the wind was out of control,” Layt said.

“Both sides were playing a defensive game against the wind. I thought we played that really well and gave us the edge.

“We contained them to a couple of goals (in the first quarter), our second quarter was pretty good and it was an arm-wrestle for that point onwards.”

Michael Brennan in action for Laurimar. Picture: David Crosling

The Power kicked 2.5 in the opening term to take a nine-point lead but Panton Hill answered with 3.4 in the second quarter to hold an 11-point buffer at the half.

The Redbacks were held scoreless in the third quarter but still led by three points at three-quarter-time as Laurimar managed just 1.2.

Both teams kicked two majors in the tense final term as the minor premiers held on for a 6.12 (48) to 5.10 (40) win.

Layt rated Sam Parks and Dan Freeman as the Redbacks’ best, while John Pritchard and Rhys Boyden (four goals) also impressed.

“Sam was up and about, won some crucial moments in the contest, ran all day and his tackling was good,” he said.

“He just did the right things at the right moments and was courageous, he sat under the footy and got smashed but came up with it.

Nick Parks gets sandwiched between Laurimar defenders. Picture: David Crosling

Laurimar and Panton Hill players come together for a chat. Picture: David Crosling

“I played Dan in a different role, a defensive role sitting in the hole to help out against the breeze and played the role perfectly.”

Laurimar will play the winner of Sunday’s elimination final between Kilmore and South Morang in the preliminary final.

Ethan Frawley was Laurimar’s best in defeat, while William Di Pietro and Josh Leather can hold their heads high.

Layt heaped praise on Frawley’s performance.

“They had six changes I think, but their young kids were unbelievable,” he said.

“Young (Ethan) Frawley, he is a little star, he’s really hard to contain.

“Their big blokes (Michael) Brennan and (Josh) Leather were great in the ruck, so that was a good battle between our boys and theirs.”

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