Grand dream close at hand
Panthers hold off storming finish
BELL Post Hill coach Brad Martin has challenged his players to make the most of their latest opportunity and build further on their dynasty.
The Panthers are one win away from securing a place in their 10th straight grand final after holding off Bannockburn to win by 11 points on Saturday.
The win was not without a few anxious moments after Bannockburn stormed home in the final quarter, with Martin admitting the Tigers “physically smashed us” after the final break. BELL POST HILL 4.2 6.6 8.9 9.12 (66) BANNOCKBURN 1.1 3.4 4.4 8.7 (55) Goals: Bell Post Hill — Bannockburn — Best: Bell Post Hill — Bannockburn —
But the first-year coach, who was part of the early years of the club’s greatest era, now demands his men to carry the past weekend’s atmosphere into Saturday’s blockbuster second semi-final against Inverleigh.
“On Saturday night, we had 38 out of a possible 44 show up to recovery at Eastern Beach and I told our boys that the greatest memories of our club’s early premierships were those sessions,” Martin said.
“You go to the beach for recovery after a win in the finals, you bottle up that atmosphere and take it into the grand final each time.”
Again, it was the Panthers’ back-six who were credited with the victory after restricting the Tigers to a Brent Jacques goal in the game’s opening 50 minutes.
The Tigers eventually challenged their way back into the game, but left their run too late after trailing by almost five goals at the final change.
“They physically smashed us around the stoppages in the last quarter and we were able to (just) withstand their storm,” Martin said.
“Overall it was still our back six who won it all day, especially Daniel Walve.
“He’s a guy I like to call the surgeon, once he gets it he rarely turns it over.”
Bell Post Hill forward Nick Costello finished the match with arguably the goal of the season, bouncing through a Peter Daicos-styled dribbler from the boundary.
The mid-sized forward combined with Luke Turner, Jayden Ettridge and the returning Joel Page as potent options in the absence of Justin Tarr, who was sidelined with a quad injury.
“He (Costello) kicked three but he could have kicked five — once he gets a mark he’s a pretty good set shot,” Martin said.
Adrian Fantella again found plenty of footy for Bell Post Hill with 23 possessions thanks to an impressive third term where he collected nine disposals and three marks.
After being cleared by the tribunal a few days earlier, GDFL interleague captain Cam Addie also collected 14 disposals and a surprise goal.