By Cooper O’Brien
THE Panthers Women’s team started fiercely against Coburg and took a seven-point lead at the end of the first period.
It was the skipper Emmie Gardiner who took control of the game early, setting the tone for her teammates to respond to.
At half time, the opposition was zero per cent from beyond the arc which sparked Coburg coach Matthew Falckh to help build a response from the girls as they gripped their way back into the game.
Their third term saw a nine-point scoring run to make the contest gettable at the final break. But an early three pointer from Hayley Munro and a quick layup from a Coburg turnover allowed the Panthers to take control and close out the game.
A late spark from the Giants brought the game back to one point with one minute to play but Maddison O’Nial shut them out with a clutch two point jumper.
Their result of 67-70 helps them remain at second place on the standings with five wins from six games.
Back at home the men’s team conceded third loss of the season against Collingwood in a tight tussle on Saturday night.
The Panthers started the first term on the back foot trailing by 11 points in stages.
But they slowly clawed their way back into the game making it a three point ball game coming into the final quarter.
Jayden O’Brien was the player to watch for Wallan recording 16 points and five steals on the night.
O’Brien’s big last quarter reduced Collingwood’s lead to just two points with three minutes to play in the final term but Carson Crowe shut them out with a score from beyond the arc which proved too difficult for the Panthers to fight against.
The loss moves the Panthers to fourth on the table as they look forward to Southern Peninsula at RB Robson Stadium on May 16.
