It was the result nobody saw coming as Devon Meadows was beaten by one point against Hastings in the Mornington Peninsula Division 2 upset of the year.
The shock loss means the Panthers have now lost four of their past five matches and despite holding onto fifth spot, they need to turn the tides as soon as possible.
When the sides met just more than 12 months ago, it was the Panthers who won by 204 points as they destroyed the Blues, but it was a much different story this time around.
It would’ve taken a brave man to bet against a fourth-placed Devon Meadows, especially when Hastings was struggling away with a 2-8 record this season.
But the Blues produced a miracle in front of their home crowd, as young gun Kade Foster put the side on his back, and carried his teammates to the finish line.
Foster kicked five goals from his 21 disposals and continued his impressive form, which has seen him kick 16 goals in his past three matches.
The defensive effort from the Panthers can only be described as poor, as they conceded 90 points to a team who averaged less than 60 per game.
To put the Devon Meadows’ defence under the microscope, it was the first time in 700 days and 30 matches since the Blues had kicked more than 90 points.
Neither team could be separated on the scoreboard, as both sides brought their kicking boots to score a combined 28.11 on the day.
Devon Meadows took a one-point lead into quarter time, but it was Hastings that led by two points at half time, one point at three-quarter time and one point at the final siren.
Kevin Lylak was a strong performer in the victory with 21 disposals and two goals, while Tristan Rendell (20 disposals, 41 hitouts) dominated the ruck battle.
Alex Canal (23 disposals, two goals), Cody Ray (23 disposals, one goal) and Dean Kent (16 disposals, four goals) tried their hardest for Devon Meadows.
Pearcedale remains in second spot on the ladder with a 31-point win over Seaford, who put up a good fight.
The Tigers actually held a four-point lead at half time thanks to four goals from Seth Kelly, but the formidable Dales, led by Brett Eddy (four goals) were always going to come home strong.
Luke Settineri was Pearcedale’s best player with 23 disposals and two goals, while Huw Jones (19 disposals, 48 hitouts) and Kaolan Thornton (26 disposals, nine tackles) also had great outings.
Despite trailing by two points at three-quarter time, the undefeated Frankston Bombers surged home in the fourth term to overcome Somerville by 22 points.
Harrison Prior (22 disposals, 60 hitouts) was impressive in the ruck, while Khan Haretuku (17 disposals, two goals) and Flynn Wood (22 disposals) had plenty of it.
Crib Point had a 41-point win over Bonbeach thanks to a 10-goal second half, as Kane Tyrrell and Joey Wilson (both three goals) pushed their side into fourth spot on the ladder.
Joshua Le Grice was the Magpies’ best player, while Joseph Fisscher (three goals) and Jet Peckett were the Sharks’ best.
Chelsea thumped Rye by 68 points and secured third spot on the ladder with 10 different players hitting the scoreboard.
Anthony Beale (three goals) and Matthew Dussin (one goal) were great for the Seagulls, while Ed Greene (one goal) was named the Demons’ best player.
In the battle of the bottom two, it was Tyabb who prevailed over winless Karingal by just three points.
It was the Bulls’ best opportunity to get a win and they started well, to lead at every break before being overrun in the fourth quarter – Samuel Fox kicked four goals for the Yabbies, while Karingal’s Jackson Burke kicked five.
MORNINGTON PENINSULA DIVISION 2
HASTINGS 4.1 7.4 11.5 14.6(90)
DEVON MEADOWS 4.2 7.2 11.4 14.5(89)
Hastings Goals: Kade Foster 5, Luke Hewitt, Bradley Kovac, Kevin Lylak 2, Jake Hewitt, Sean Hewitt, Tom Hooper. Best: Kade Foster Jake Milward, Patrick Wilson, Jake Hewitt, Jack Slocombe.
Devon Meadows Goals: Dean Kent 4, Alex Canal, Joel Hillis, Hayden Murphy 2, Ryan Koo, Bailey Phillips, Cody Ray, Patrick Sinnema. Best: Liam Drew, Daniel Allen, Cody Ray, Dean Kent, Patrick Sinnema.
PEARCEDALE 3.3 5.6 10.9 15.10(100)
SEAFORD 3.1 6.4 7.7 10.9(69)
Pearcedale Goals: Brett Eddy 4, Luke Daniel, Mitchell Davis, Archie McGuiness, Luke Settineri 2, Will Dalgleish, Shane Davidson, Jake Frawley. Best: Luke Settineri, Huw Jones, Finn Jakstas, Shane Davidson, Cruiz West.
Seaford Goals: Seth Kelly 4, Chris Buttner, Riley Harper 2, Harry Bould, James Maguire. Best: Ryan Jacobs, William White, Liam Hough, Bailey McIndoe, Mitchell Harvey.
Other Results – R11: Crib Point 15.7(97) def Bonbeach 8.8(56), Frankston Bombers 11.12(78) def Somerville 8.8(56), Chelsea 15.13(103) def Rye 4.11(35), Tyabb 11.16(82) def Karingal 12.7(79).
Ladder: Frankston Bombers 44, Pearcedale 40, Chelsea 32, Crib Point 28, Devon Meadows, Bonbeach 24, Somerville 20, Seaford, Rye 16, Hastings 12, Tyabb 8, Karingal 0.
Fixture – R12: Bonbeach (6) v Rye (9), Chelsea (3) v Pearcedale (2), Crib Point (4) v Seaford (8), Karingal (12) v Devon Meadows (5), Somerville (7) v Hastings (10), Tyabb (11) v Frankston Bombers (1).
