Panthers bow out in low-scoring affair

A disappointing outcome for the senior side this week on a very windy day.

Inaccuracy didn’t allow either side to pull away in a hard-fought battle.

Both teams went into half-time without kicking a goal.

All Blacks defence was weakened early when Harry Ellis went down with an injury.

Moving Harry to full-forward and Michael Ryan down back, where he impressed with his strength around the contest.

The Panthers went into three-quarter time down by two goals hoping to run over them in the last quarter.

The midfield again put on a strong performance, led by Joel Bate and Jackson Hourigan both winning the hard ball and doing the one percenters.

Unfortunately we couldn’t get over the line going down by three points.

Although the Panthers didn’t get the desired result, it showed they are more than capable of competing with the top sides considering the absence of key players in Jack Ellis, Chris O’Connor, Lochie Morrison and Justin Gervasoni.

A standout performance was Kaare Glass.

In only his sixth game of AFL football he was handed the task of playing on Karl Norman - an ex AFL player and league medallist.

Kaare managed to win the match-up and make Karl’s contributions minimal.

Some good news for our supporters this week also with Jack Ellis getting positive results back from his MRI on his knee.

Jack should be back playing within a month's time!

As a team we look forward to hopefully getting back on the winners’ list next week against Bright!

Total Tools voucher: Kaare Glass

Royal Hotel voucher: Will Ellis

Benalla Gold cup entry: Rory Wapling

Thursday Night dinner: Joel Bate

Reserves

Benalla All Blacks 4.6 (30) def by Tarrawingee 13.11 (89)

The All Blacks reserve side came up against strong and well-organised Tarrawingee, in very trying conditions at home.

After being jumped in the first quarter, the All Blacks fought back in the second quarter and held the opposition to one goal in each the second and third quarters.

This was highlighted by the excellent defensive work of Hayden Ryan and his rebound out of defence and the electric run and carry of Jacob Donlon on the wing and through the centre of the ground.

The hard running of Aiden Amos was huge all game, hitting the contest hard and providing outlet kicks from defence.

The workrate of Jordy Wilkinson in defence and helping out in the ruck was inspiring all game, in the air and at ground level providing a hardened edge around the ball.

Up forward, the pressure and ground work of Liam Sinclair proved a headache for the opposition defence, harassing and tackling, locking the ball in our forward 50.

Debutant Reuben James proved a lively spark up forward, with his agility and goal sense a bright light moving forward.

Next week, the All Blacks look to rebound against Bright away, in one of the hardest tests so far this season.

Dosser Panels award: Hayden Ryan

Royal Hotel voucher: Jacob Donlon

Brad & Mel’s Snack bar voucher: Aiden Amos

Bullys Barbershop haircut: Liam Sinclair

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