Top gun: Benalla All Blacks’ midfielder Riley Moran was awarded the Terry Socks it to Cancer Medal for his performance against Goorambat. Photos: Garry Jones.
Seniors
On Saturday the All Blacks took on cross-town rival Goorambat at Friendlies Oval.
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Goorambat came out on fire putting the All Blacks’ defence under fire early. Harry Ellis took some great contested marks to slow them down, and the Panthers fought back and finished the quarter up by a couple of points.
In the second quarter the home side began to get on top in the midfield. Brady Hayse and Riley Moran put their head over the footy and pushed their side forward. Rory Wapling continued his great form out on the wing; his skills by foot and his pressure acts were second to none.
Tough contest: Goorambat's Jamie Dunne attempts a tackle on Benalla All Blacks' Jordan Smith.
All Blacks went into the half up by nine points. In the third quarter it was still a close game, very contested. The Panthers couldn’t quite get out in the open and play their typical game but could feel the momentum building and their superior fitness was beginning to show.
Trent Chapman had his best game for the season after missing the first half of the year with injury. The Panthers have missed his elite ball use out of the backline. Coming into the last quarter with a 13-point lead the All Blacks weren’t happy with their performance so far. They came out of the huddle with a point to prove starting with Jake Jones in the middle, he gave them first opportunity at ball.
They broke the game open and had some great run and carry through the middle of the ground. The Panthers managed to keep Goorambat scoreless for the last quarter while we piled on 52 to points to run out winners by 65 points.
Riley Moran was awarded the Terry Socks it to Cancer best-on-ground medal. The All Blacks now turn our attention to the qualifying final in two weeks where we take on Bright and Tarrawingee.
Honours awarded: Terry Greaves awarded Benalla All Blacks coach Nich Spencer with the cup and Riley Moran with the medal for best-on-ground.
Reserves
On Saturday the reserves took on Goorambat, and knew this was going to be a tough match, with plenty of numbers out due to injury.
From the word go, the Panthers hunted the football at every contest, and had inside 50 after inside 50, but simply could not convert. Ryan Nedeljkovic played his best game of the year, really standing up and showing his leadership on the field.
Lachlan Sinclair and Harry Parsons played a gutsy game all day, their desire to win the ball all day was what their side needed from the midfield. Flynn Horsburgh played his best game of the year, his last quarter was elite, his run and carry from the backline was what they wanted from him. Jacob Donlon and Corey Gunn were great small ball users all day.
The All Blacks look forward to a well-deserved week off, and take on Bright in the semi-final at Tarrawingee.
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