WALLAN Panthers were just good enough to defeat last year’s premiers, Seymour, beating them by five points in a grand final rematch throwdown.
The Panthers started well in the first term thanks to an early three-pointer from Ryan Philippe.
It continued to be an arm-wrestle throughout the term though, with the Panthers holding the upper hand, leading by four points at the break.
Seymour responded, jumping out of the gates to take the lead within just a couple of minutes of game time.
But its run would soon be stopped by Jayden O’Brien, who contributed 12 of the next 14 points of the game, hitting four three-pointers to put Wallan up by five.
At the main break, Wallan led by nine points, with the margin continuing to grow in the third thanks to another couple of buckets from Brody Thrum and Philippe.
Seymour found itself 15 points down at stages but fought back hard to get the margin back within five points.
In the last term, the margin got as close as three points, but Wallan was good enough to hold on and take the win by five points.
Tyler Best did everything he could for Seymour, dropping another 26 points to lead the league’s scoring by 40 points (he’s played one extra game).
Philippe scored the most points for Wallan with 17, alongside O’Brien with 16 and Thrum with 12.
Seymour remain first on the ladder after their its three matches, sitting at two wins.
Wallan secured its first points for the season, having played only one game.
In the women’s competition, it wasn’t as much of a contest thanks to an early blitz from the Panthers, who took down ladder leaders Seymour as well.
Wallan led 36–20 at half-time, leaving Seymour with plenty of work to do to catch up in the second half.
Seymour won the third term by three points but couldn’t close the margin in the last, going down by 15 points.
Carley Cranston was best for Wallan, dropping 17 points, while Marley Pascoe did her best for Seymour with 15.
