Premier Cricket: Dandenong finishes the season with thumping win over Greenvale Kangaroos

James Pattinson fires with bat and ball as the Panthers end the season in style. And captain Brett Forsyth says the club has another young quickie on the rise.

Braden Taeuber had an encouraging season for Dandenong. Picture: George Sal

It was a season of fresh faces for Dandenong.

It was easy to lose count of the number of players granted First XI debuts for the Panthers as they reconstructed a team missing so many key figures from 2020-21.

But last Saturday Dandy finished the season with a familiar look in the scorebook: a century partnership from Brett Forsyth and Tom Donnell.

One of the most prolific opening combinations in Premier Cricket history, they put on 147 against Greenvale Kangaroos, with Donnell cracking 68 and Forsyth 66.

It was thought to be their 20th century stand, a collaboration that required caution in the first 10 overs on a greentop Greenvale pitch.

Throw in a blazing 81 off 45 balls – with 7 sixes and 5 fours – from James Pattinson and the Panthers rattled to 6-282 off their 50 overs.

The Kangaroos were all out for 117 in their reply, with Pattinson, Braden Taeuber and Matt Wilson all taking three wickets.

Before the match there were hosannas for Donnell from former Dandenong coach Nick Speak amid talk he was probably playing his last match for the club.

Forsyth thought Donnell batted beautifully and pointed out he finished the season strongly.

“Tom played incredibly well,’’ the captain said.

“If he didn’t tire out – he’s got a little one (child) at home now – I’ve got no doubt he would have got a very classy hundred.

“His score set the game up for us nonetheless.’’

When the floor was given to him after the match, the great left-hander had nothing to say about his future. As he did after last season, he’ll take his time to think about whether he goes on.

“Obviously we’d love for him to play on but it’s completely up to him,’’ Forsyth said.

Matthew Wilson took almost 30 wickets for the Panthers. Picture: George Sal

Summarising the season after the match, coach Warren Ayres, Pattinson and club elder Brendan McArdle all spoke positively.

There were five wins, 10 losses and one draw, a creditable effort given so many players from the 2020-21 grand final team left the club.

“I thought our performances after Christmas were a lot stronger, which is a good sign moving into the off-season and into next season as well,’’ Forsyth told Leader.

“We challenged some of the better teams at different stages but couldn’t quite finish it off.’’

Forsyth said he saw a number of players take strides forward with their cricket.

Tall paceman Taeuber, who made his debut last season, finished with 20 wickets at 27.4.

Wilson, recruited from Carlton, captured 29 wickets at 20.59 and leg-spinner Gehan Seneviratne picked up 19 at 31.37 in his first full season as a frontline slowie.

Forsyth has a high opinion of Taeuber.

“I think he has what it takes to be pushing to play Second XI and state cricket,’’ he said.

“His progress and skill-set as a big, tall fast bowler … I know they‘re looking at him … he’s one who really improved very quickly, to the point that when him and James were bowling against Greenvale they were a really fearsome duo and there wasn’t much difference between them, albeit James had a bit more in the tank. His year was exceptional without luck falling his way.’’

Forsyth topped the run chart with 443 at 34.08, and Cam Forsyth (398 at 30.62) and Josh Slater (370 at 26.4) played some good hands for a recast batting line-up.

Angus Newman made his debut late in the season and scored a half-century against Fitzroy-Doncaster.

“We were able to progress as a group and it’s just the start of the journey,’’ Forsyth said.

“Hopefully the foundations this season will set us up for greater success in the next year or two.’’