By Marcus Uhe
Wandin vanquished the Demons of the heart-breaking 2022 preliminary final loss to Woori Yallock with a 40-point victory.
The relentless Bulldogs had doubled the visitors’ score by the end of the third quarter in a consistent four-quarter performance to consolidate their place at the top of the table.
28 shots on goal to eight reflected their dominance throughout the contest, finishing 13.15 93 to 8.5 53.
Another three goals to Aaron Mullett sees him sitting pretty at the top of the leading goal-kicker’s tally with 26, and teammate Clint Johnson in second place with 15.
With arguably the toughest draw of any side to begin the 2023 season, the Bulldogs have now defeated all four fellow sides to qualify for finals action in 2022, in Woori Yallock, Narre Warren, Monbulk and Olinda Ferny Creek.
An inspired tactical decision to throw Bailey Stiles forward in the final quarter proved to be coaching masterstroke for Pakenham as the creative midfielder kicked two goals to seal the Lions first victory of the campaign against Upwey Tecoma.
Having played good periods of football for large patches of games this year, a four-quarter effort was what had been missing in their desire to bag four points.
An arm-wrestle for the duration of the contest, the biggest margin at any break in play was just seven points, Pakenham’s way at half time, as tension built at Toomuc Reserve.
The home side did their best to ice the clock with 10 minutes remaining but nearly let their lead slip in the final minute of the contest.
Controversy enveloped the dying stages after the Tigers were denied a goal after the umpires adjudged the kick to be touched off the boot of the Upwey Tecoma forward.
The following action was a scramble as both sides battled for the ascendency, but relief soon washed over the vast expanses of Toomuc when the siren blew with the ball in the Tigers’ forward line with the scoreboard showing a 6.10 46 to 5.13 43 scoreline in Pakenham’s favour.
Despite the void in experience in the Pakenham side, cool heads prevailed to ensure the four points was in their grasp, and removed themselves off the winless list.
After providing stability in the backline the week before against Mount Evelyn, Jake Barclay returned to his usual midfield role with dramatic effect, while Tyrell Bignoux was named among their best players after a starring performance on the wing.
Jake Thompson also kicked two for the victors and Koby Grass one, their run and carry across half-forward crucial to the close victory.
For their part, Olinda Ferny Creek remain winless after going down to Mount Evelyn at home by 42 points, thanks in large part to seven goals from Matt Gordon.
And Narre Warren crushed Gembrook-Cockatoo at Gembrook.
