With the four teams fighting for a finals berth playing each other, Saturday’s matches were virtually elimination finals two weeks early.
This only added to the normally big cross-town rivalry between the Panthers and the Bloods.
And it was a game which could have gone either way.
Both teams had periods of dominance when they were kicking to the scoring end, but it was the Panthers who made the most of their opportunities.
Heading into the last quarter, the Panthers led by 10 points.
The Bloods had the scoring end in the final quarter, but despite dominating play couldn’t find the big sticks.
In the first 24 minutes of the quarter just two points, both to the Bloods, had been scored.
The Bloods got the first goal of the quarter via a free kick and 50-metre penalty with two minutes remaining to reduce the margin to within a goal.
The Panthers weren’t to be denied and a Jon Kent mark and goal sealed the win for them, 13.7 (85)-12.6 (78).
Panthers co-coach Sean Triplett said it was a brilliant game of football in testing conditions.
“I thought our guys were sensational,” he said.
“We won the clearances by 17, which was an incredible display of contested footy, but they got us on the outside a little bit.
“The last quarter there was 16 [forward] entries for them and six for us. It was everyone who stood up defensively.
“Our defenders were great and the mids as well as the forwards pushed up. I think we did what we had to do.
“It’s the best we’ve played as a team all year.”
Triplett said he thought the difference in the game was that his side converted when it had the wind.
Nick Kommer was brilliant in a best-on-ground performance, while Mark Lynch and Adam El Houli also had outstanding games.
Triplett had praise for younger players David Callus and Aaron Clarke who stood up when needed.
The result leaves the Panthers in seventh spot, equal on points but eight per cent behind East Point.
Both sides have difficult tasks ahead of them. The Panthers face third-placed Darley, while East Point plays second-placed Lake Wendouree.
Triplett said they owed Darley after a humiliating display in their previous encounter, when the Devils led by 100 points at half-time.
“They smashed us last time and they were unbelievable,” he said. “That’s probably the worst we’ve played. We won’t die wondering. Fingers crossed we can get the win.”
For Melton, it’s all but season over as they sit four points and 10 per cent outside the top six.
The Bloods’ small finals hopes rely on both the Panthers and East Point being smashed, and a big win against North Ballarat.
In other results, Bacchus Marsh defeated Sebastopol 22.28 (160)-1.3 (9).
