Similar to its start against Bonnie Doon last round, Benalla had plenty of the play early against Moyhu, but inaccuracy around the big sticks (3.6) saw the Panthers squander a potentially larger lead.
But the Panthers quickly sorted out their forward jitters ahead of the second quarter and finished the game strongly to record a 13.10 (88) to 6.14 (68) win.
Making it two wins in two weeks, the All Blacks' coach Harry Moran was extremely pleased with how his team performed on the day.
``It’s not a game we would have been highly fancied in,'' Moran said.
``To get a win was extremely pleasing.
``And with some key personnel out – it made it a little bit sweeter.''
The All Blacks were down a ruck, with Justin Gervasoni, Will and Harry Ellis, along with Matt Cox and Scott Docherty all missing.
``All those blokes are bigger bodies,'' Moran said.
But in their absence it was midfield duo Alistair Jacka and Jack Doidge who made up for the missing ruck.
``They were the two to get the ball out of midfield,'' Moran said.
``We had none of the taps, but they were able to get the ball and set us up.''
Down forward it was Jack Ellis (three goals) and Chris O’Connor (three) who stood tall, though in a pleasing effort, according to Moran, it was the fact they were supported by goals from another six team-mates that meant the most.
``Our whole forward revolved around movement,'' Moran said.
``The more active they are, the better we are.
``These guys were prepared to work hard to get themselves in the right position and find the space.
``In recent years, we’ve been a bit one-dimensional with just Jack.
``To get a more even spread of goal kickers is what we need week-in week-out.''
Benalla moved into seventh place after the win. But with the All Blacks sitting three wins outside the top six with two matches remaining, finals aren't on the cards.
But it doesn’t mean the club won’t be fighting hard in the final two rounds, with the first clash against Tarrawingee.
``Obviously Tarrawingee are in decent shape,'' Moran said.
``More or less, we’ll provide the same pressure we did on the weekend.
``It’ll all be about making sure they don’t get the loose ball.
``We want to stay on top of our work rate and pressure.''
*Benalla’s seconds failed to overcome Moyhu in their match earlier in the day, going down by 43 points. It was a close three quarters between the two teams, before Moyhu ran away with the match in the final term, kicking seven goals to two to seal victory. Benalla’s Chris Lockhart was again prominent down forward with five goals, while Matt Schluter was judged best on ground with his three goals.
Final score: Benalla All Blacks 13.10 (88) def Moyhu 9.14 (68).
Goal kickers: J. Ellis 3, C. O'Connor 3, R. Sheehan, J. Whitmore, J. Hyland, A. McNab, P. Creamer, A. Jacka. Best players: A. Jacka, J. Doidge, J. Hyland, T. Chapman, R. Sheehan, P. Creamer.
MORE LINKS TO BENALLA ALL BLACKS
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Blacks suffer dark day
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