A SLOW start cost Devon Meadows reserves any hope of pegging back Pakenham on their Toomuc Reserve home deck in Saturday’s elimination final.
The Lions were inspired to their 17-point win by experienced performers Brett Hobson, Simon Ponter, Nick Henwood and John Atwell who returned to action after a six-week absence courtesy of a broken wrist.
The Panthers made a late charge at victory and when Mark Borschnan snapped a goal around his body to reduce the margin to six points midway through the final term, it was game on.
However two quick replies steadied the Pakenham ship and saw them cruise to a comfortable win.
The Lions will meet Narre Warren in next weekend’s first semi-final after the Magpies went down to Beaconsfield by 32 points in a comprehensive result in Sunday’s qualifying final.
The Eagles were superior across the ground from the first bounce with tough senior defender Bryce Tonks putting the icing on the cake, booting three goals in the final term and joining experienced team-mate Michael Fisher as the only multiple goal kickers in the game.
The Magpies only managed six goals for the game in the blustery conditions.
Six locals set for Academy
Four Dandenong Stingrays and two Gippsland Power players have been included in the 2026 AFL/W Academies.
The Stingrays are the equal most-represented club in the...
