By Brad Kingsbury
PAKENHAM dug deep in the final term to overpower a spirited challenge from traditional rivals Beaconsfield, coming away to record a 45-point victory in perfect conditions at the Toomuc Reserve on Saturday.
The margin did not tell the full story of the game, a fact acknowledged by both coaches afterwards, and although the Lions are clearly the league benchmark at this point, they were unsettled by the Eagles’ constant pressure and harassment early in the match.
That would have been noted by rival club observers and the current ladder leader can expect some serious competition to come its way throughout 2009.
Many expected the match to be a one-sided affair after Pakenham’s round one domination of 2008 grand finalists Keysborough.
That looked even more likely when key Eagle Chris Kelf failed to run out with his side, leaving raw youngster Vin Sanaro to share the ruck work with Matt Kenny.
The Lions took an early three-goal lead in the opening term but Sanzaro proved more than competitive with big Lion Jeremy Everett and the Eagles midfield led by coach Robbie Taylor and tough-nut Damien Szwaja applied intense pressure to work its way on top at the fall of the ball over the next two quarters.
Pakenham maintained a two to three goal lead throughout the first three quarters, but it was never dominant, and Lions coach Michael Holland gave full credit to Beaconsfield’s attack on the ball.
“We got off to a reasonable start, but our skills were still pretty ordinary and it was a perfect day so there was no excuse for that,” he said.
“The disappointing thing was that Beaconsfield beat us at the contested footy from about half way through the first quarter until three-quarter time, and that’s an area I would like to think that we pride ourselves on.”
Eagles playmakers including Daniel Mislicki, Glenn Penglase, Joel Gibson and Andrew Williams were on song but it always appeared likely that the Lions had the potential to turn it on and that proved to be the case.
Holland remained calm and in control at the three-quarter time break, asking his troops for a committed effort.
After clever Eagle small man Cley Bertoncello booted a great goal to reduce the Lions’ lead to eight points at the start of the last quarter, it was game on.
That sparked the Lions big guns into action and Cory Lenders replied with two hard-earned goals in the next five minutes to steady his side after applying extreme pressure in attack.
Young Eagle Andrew Hunter goaled at the nine-minute mark to give the Eagles another glimmer of hope but then the flood gates opened with the Lions piling on five unanswered majors in the last 15 minutes to secure a winning margin that belied the competitiveness of the contest.
Beaconsfield heads dropped, in particular the younger players, and suddenly Pakenham players lifted and started doing the things that have made them the side to beat in 2009.
Glen Wouters imposed himself with a couple of trademark contested grabs in attack, captain Jared Goldsack flung himself vertically to smother a kick near the boundary, Clint Walker saved a certain goal by beating two opponents to the ball deep in defence and John Atwell weaved through several tired Eagles in the midfield to set up two late goals.
Players from both sides were spent afterwards with both coaches happy and disappointed about certain areas of their sides’ efforts.
Holland was pleased with his team’s ability to lift when it was needed after a hard contest, but said that the game was a good example of the challenges facing the Lions this year.
“The margin didn’t reflect the way the game went at all but I’m happy to take that and move on,” he said.
“Probably the last 20 minutes of the game we got on top and that proved to be enough but I wasn’t happy with the way we played overall.”
“To our boys’ credit, in a tough day at the office they had to find something and in the last quarter they did. We’ve still got a lot of improvement left and for us to improve we have to get stronger mentally when things aren’t going our way.”
“Beaconsfield is on the right track and heading in the right direction with their young side. It’s always a big challenge against them.”
Taylor acknowledged Pakenham as the side every team will measure itself against this year.
“They’re the benchmark,” he said.
“We spoke about how important it was not to drop off against Pakenham but we did in the last 15 minutes and a good side like them will always make you pay.
“We ended up losing by more than 40 points and that’s exactly what happens when you lose concentration.”
The Eagles have a good, developing young list but Taylor said potential had to translate into success sooner rather than later.
“We are one (win) and two (losses) and at some stage we have to turn the corner and play out the game. In a game like this we needed to kick the first three goals in the last quarter and steal the win,” he said.
“Until we make the most of our chances against good sides we’re not going to progress to where we want to be.”
There were two reports from the game with Eagle Kane Airdrie and Lion Adam Cook booked for separate alleged striking incidents. Both said they would fight their cases at the tribunal.
