Lions maul the Burra

By Brad Kingsbury
WOW!
That was the only reaction to Pakenham’s 106-point round-one demolition of 2008 grand finalists Keysborough at the Rowley Allan Reserve on Saturday.
The highly anticipated rematch of last year’s preliminary finalists turned into a farce as the Lions exacted their retribution for the Burra denying them what they believed was their right to compete in last year’s grand final, after sailing through the season as undefeated minor premiers.
Persistent and consistent was the Lions’ mantra on the weekend while, with apologies to key forward Tyson King and star defender Will Gayfer, pathetic was the only way to describe Keysborough’s challenge, or lack thereof.
Pakenham players had a look of determination from the time they ran onto the field, buoyed by the inclusion of 2008 league Player of the Year Luke Walker, back from Collingwood’s reserve side for the game.
In this case looks were not deceiving, with Lion speedster Dom Paynter snapping the first two goals before most supporters had settled in their seats and opened the first can of the afternoon.
The writing was quickly on the wall.
Walker joined newcomers Ryan Cassidy and Jack O’Rourke to take control across the centre, while key forwards Daniel Fry and Jake Matthews created immediate headaches for the smaller and notably slower Keysborough defence.
At the other end the dangerous Burra attack, led by Tyson King, Luke McGuinness and Matthew Freeman, were well covered by the visiting defence led by Nathan Brown and Adam Cook.
Keysborough steadied late in the opening quarter, but trailed by 19 points at the first change.
That lead was extended to 45 points at half-time with Pakenham looking faster, fitter and far more determined than its shell-shocked opposition.
Burra coach swung accomplished tagger Anthony Brannan onto Walker after the main break and made several other desperate attempts to stifle the Lions, but the second half became little more than a training run for the visitors.
Fry starred with seven goals, as the final margin blew out to more than 100 points, leaving the good-sized home crowd stunned.
A highlight of the match was a best-on-ground performance from veteran midfielder and 2008 coach Dan O’Loughlin in a new role as a run-with player.
His effort to shut out gun Keysborough recruit Vic Currie was superb and he also exposed Currie’s lack of a defensive game by sliding forward to kick five goals in the process.
Apart from Brown being accidentally concussed in a third-term collision, new coach Michael Holland’s script went perfectly to plan and Pakenham’s 2009 premiership odds tightened significantly.
Holland acknowledged his side’s effort and also its obvious class, but refused to write off Keysborough.
“I seem to remember Pakenham beat Keysy by about 22 goals last year and they turned that around in the finals. They’re still a very good side,” he said.
“The scoreboard probably looked worse (for Keysborough) than it was. They’ve got a very potent forward line with King and McGuinness and we knew that so we concentrated on winning the ball in the middle.
“To come here and play like that, well it’s just very pleasing that’s all.”
Holland praised the effort of ruckman Jeremy Everett as a key factor in the result, but said there was still a long road ahead for his side.
“I thought Shaun (Witherden) beat ‘Spida’ (Everett) comprehensively in the finals last year and Jeremy turned that around in this game. If you can dominate the ruck and midfield you’re always going to have the advantage in a game like this,” he said.
“It all went top plan today, but it’s a long year. People can walk out of here and say, ‘gee they’re a good side’ but we’re expected to be a good side and I won’t shy away from that.
“We’ve been around the mark for the last few years and we’ve got a similar list with a few different faces so we’ve got high expectations.”
Keysborough’s delivery into the forward line was abysmal, but made to look worse because of the pressure applied by Pakenham’s midfield players.
A shattered Siwes did not believe that his players gave up, but agreed that the intensity and effort required to win matches against top-quality opposition was not applied at any stage of the game.
“We were woeful in areas that I thought we would be much, much better,” he lamented.
“We’re not an inexperienced playing group and I thought the new blokes especially would react a lot differently than they did when Pakenham got their game going.
“But gee they were slick and so precise with their ball handling and movement. It would have been good to watch if it wasn’t happening to us.
“I know it’s only the first round, but that’s not the way I want to play and there will be changes to the side for sure. Our depth has improved this year and it will be matter of getting the right mix and the right attitude. I’ve got some work to do for sure.”
Cook won Anzac Medal for his game across half-back.