By Jonty Ralphsmith
Pace through the midfield was a preseason focus for Devon Meadows and it was on full display in a 14.13 97 to 12.11 83 win on the road against Pearcedale in round one of the Mornington Peninsula Football Netball League.
The experienced and hardened Joel Hillis and Nick Battle had a huge first half to put the margin out to 39 points, and they were well complemented by the fresh legs of youngsters Jack Wilson, Toby Sinnema and Alex Canal.
Wilson completed a VFL preseason at Frankston, Sinnema is a Stingrays-listed player and Canal is an emerging talent who has been backed by the coach to take a big step forward.
Their run was crucial to the different dynamic of the Panthers’ on-ball unit.
“Everyone we have around the footy has a heap of leg speed and we’ve put a lot of focus into that and it showed on the weekend that that will be our strength,” Devon Meadows coach Ryan Hendy said.
“We really beat them on the spread in the first half and set the game up.
“We only wanted one or two going into the contest at a time and then having some really good spread on the outside and with the leg speed we’ve included into the side, we were able to play with overlap run and the midfielders worked hard all game.”
Star recruit Brendan Hermann was named best-on-ground and was part of the starting midfield, adding flair, strength and power.
With young ruck Riley Simmonds still two weeks away as he recovers from a preseason injury, it was up to Brady O’Toole to carry the ruck burden.
O’Toole’s fitness was an area where he was able to get on top of the opposition ruck, covering the ground well and competing hard in the air.
As well as their ability to spread, the Panthers’ hunt and toughness was crucial in the contest against their local rivals.
“Our tackling pressure was ferocious,” Hendy said.
“They probably got their hands on the footy a little bit more than us around the stoppages but the way we were able to affect them with our pressure was really pleasing.”
The club was also pleased with Patrick Ryder’s game, after he got through unscathed, kicked three goals and showed no signs of rust despite playing no preseason games, having been eased back into the program after knee surgery in December.
Next up for Devon Meadows is a clash with Hastings, which lost its first game.
