By Tara Murray
South Morang couldn’t pull off a thrilling finals win for a second week in a row, meaning its Northern Football League division 3 season has ended.
After just getting past Laurimar the week before, the Lions were hoping they could pull off another win, this time against Panton Hill in a semi-final.
Panton Hill looked to have taken control of the game on a couple occasions, before the Lions hit back each time.
Panton Hill eventually did just enough to get the win and a grand final spot, the scoreline reading 10.7 (67)-9.6 (60).
Lions coach Gary Hall said the game could have gone either way.
“We got one last week, but luck didn’t fall our way this time,” he said..
“We had a couple of balls touched on the line and they made the most of their scoring opportunities as well.
“The last 10 minutes, they locked us up and we couldn’t get out and score.”
Hall said they started slowly in both halves, which hurt them in the end.
While they were able to have a good second quarter to level scores at half-time, they couldn’t get over a lapse at the start of the third quarter.
Alex Colaidis kicked three goals for the Lions, while Matthew Trim and Scott Dickinson were their best.
He said all the usual suspects stood up.
Despite the loss, this season has been one of positives for the Lions and their long-term future.
While they didn’t match the grand final appearance of last year, they did develop a list that could take them a long way.
Hall said he couldn’t be prouder of the side and that they had no more to give.
“We lost nine blokes from last year’s grand final team,” Hall said.
“We didn’t really recruit anyone. We had 17 players [on Saturday] who are under 22. We are heading in the right direction.
“We’ve got a good bunch of 17s, as well, and we’re expecting them to step up.
“There’s good times at the club.”
Panton Hill will play St Mary’s in the grand final on Saturday.
Hall said if the other finals were anything to go by, he thinks it will be a close match.
In division 2, Thomastown’s season came to an end against Banyule.
For much of the first three quarters it looked like the semi final would go down the wire.
The Bears led at the first three breaks, before Banyule took control in the final quarter.
Banyule kicked four goals to one in the final quarter, to win 10.18 (78)-8.13 (61).
Joshua Beare was named the Bears best.
