PANTHERS ON PROWL FOR PAYBACK
BELL POST HILL coach Brad Martin says he is expecting a fierce battle with Thomson when the two teams meet at Myers Reserve tomorrow.
The Panthers suffered one of their two losses in 2018 against Thomson earlier in the season in a tight affair, and with just six games remaining in 2018, it’s only percentage separating the two GDFL powerhouse teams.
Martin said his side was preparing for another even contest this weekend, with three players at the front of his mind to help shut the Tigers down.
“When we played them in Round 2 it probably came down to the last ten minutes of the game,” Martin said.
“It was wet and windy, which will probably be the case again this weekend, so it is another massive challenge for us. Paul Davis is obviously in really good form for them, and Adam Wiseman sets them up pretty well down back. Reece Holwell through the middle is an inspirational W LD % Pts player and a great leader for them, so they’re probably the big three that gets them going at the moment.”
The Panthers could well be seen as the sleeping giants of the competition this year, with much of the attention going towards ladder leaders Inverleigh and newcomers to the top five Winchelsea.
They face an interesting run home, with games against the Tigers, Hawks and finals contenders Geelong West, as well as matches where they will face sides at the lower end of the ladder, such as East Geelong, Corio and Anakie.
But Martin said keeping a low profile was just the way his team liked to do business.
“It is different, but at the same time we finished third last year so it is not that different, we were pretty lowkey last year as well so the guys are used to it,” he said.
“They know we have got a test this weekend and then we play East Geelong heading into the split round. So we’re really focused on getting over this week and then trying to go into the split round with just the two losses.”
The Panthers welcome back Tim Barton for the Thomson clash, who has been one of Bell Post Hill’s most consistent performers this season.