By Josh Ward.
Surrey Park have moved a game clear in second on the Division 3 table after winning by 22 points against Coldstream away from home.
Both the Cougars and Panthers entered this past weekend’s Match of the Round with three wins under their belts. And while both sides had momentum in the first three quarters, Surrey Park kicked the final three goals to run over the top of the home side.
Lachlan Summers stepped up in the absence of brother Jake, finishing the day with the Pat Cronin Foundation Round Medal as well as the Sportsco Eastland Best on Ground after four goals.
Tom Smith was also at his dominant best in midfield and up forward, with the former Division 4 B&F winner winning the MEGT Australia Rookie of the Day. The Panthers defence was near impenetrable, with the returning George Haynes leading the charge.
There were still many shining lights in defeat for Coldstream, with Brock Castree and Darcy Carrigan providing plenty of spark from midfield. Jesse Lehmann’s ruck craft was also at its best along with his workrate across the ground and below his knees.
It was that midfield trio of Carrigan, Castree and Lehmann that got the Cougars an early head start in the territory battle. Despite this, the Panthers were the first to hit the scoreboard through U19’s player Tom Hunt.
A feeling out period took place following that Hunt goal before the final 12 minutes saw five goals kicked, with three going Surrey’s way. The late burst saw the Panthers increase their lead to 13 points heading into quarter time.
Jarrod Bayliss’ men came out with intent to start the second, kicking the first of the term through Bailey Grant inside the first two minutes. As Coldstream continued to press, the Panthers defence stood firm, conceding only two behinds following that goal.
Much like the first, the second saw the goals pour in in the final 12 minutes of play. Both split the goals this time around during that period, with Surrey now holding a seven point lead heading into the main break.
The Panthers were able to quickly get on the scoresheet early in the second half through their player coach James Kenworthy. However he came off following that goal just as the Cougars were slowly starting to level things up.
Coldstream were able to quickly move the chains at the 15 minute mark of the term, with Castree and Grant kicking back to back goals to give Coldstream the lead for the first time since the nine minute mark of the first term.
Surrey were then able to get the game back on their terms following that goal, with Renan Falahey and Summers kicking back-to-back goals in time on to give the Panthers a 13-point lead heading into the final term.
The late momentum gained in the third was built on in the last quarter by the Panthers, keeping the Cougars scoreless for the entirety of the term. Zak Stone was able to put the finishing touches to the Panthers first win against Coldstream since Round 13, 2018.
Surrey Park returns home to face Silvan for the first time since the 2022 Division 4 Grand Final while Coldstream will be on the road to face Warrandyte.
