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 Power still favourite: Panmure unable to turn around the momentum 

Power still favourite: Panmure unable to turn around the momentum

25 May, 2009 04:00 AM
KOLORA-Noorat confirmed why it was the premiership favourite when it brushed aside another finals contender to keep its undefeated run in tact.

While the scoreboards of the first nine rounds - including Saturday's 18.9 (117) to Panmure's 7.7 (49) - seem like the Power is primed to go one step better than last year, coach Ben Kenna hasn't settled on easy street.

"Some sides have been pushing us early," he said.

"Because we haven't lost, the opposition comes to play.

"The pleasing thing is, against sides like Panmure and Dennington and Timboon, we've been able to hit our straps."

Kolora-Noorat defeated the Dogs by 55 points while in the grand final rematch, it was a 41-point winner over Timboon Demons.

"We played Dennington and Timboon in rounds two and three so I think they are going to be a lot better the second time around," Kenna said.

"And Panmure probably had a couple out.

"I think it's all fairly even."

The Bulldogs and the Power were even at the first break on Saturday.

As Kenna acknowledged, the visitors were raring to snap his side's winning streak.

They had most of the ball in the opening 10 minutes as well as the aid of a strong breeze.

The Bulldogs scored three goals before Kolora-Noorat slotted one.

It could have easily been five Panmure goals but a missed set shot from 35 metres out and a failed attempt from just outside an empty goal square made the Power's job easier.

Kolora-Noorat' s James Hicks' smother 10 metres from goal was rewarded as the forward picked up the footy which had rebounded off his hands and booted it through for a goal.

The difference was 14 points but only for 30 seconds as Ben Meade converted on the run and followed up with another goal.

The teenager intercepted a careless Kolora-Noorat handpass, which he then delivered to teammate Simon Schrama.

The Power replied to be down by 14 points at quarter-time.

Both Kenna and opposition coach Dave Conheady wanted their sides to implement a hard-running, quick-hands style of football.

The Power did just that in the second period, speedily dishing the ball off into space for players to run onto.

A Luke Madden goal in the opening few minutes prompted a roar from the crowd.

They had more reason to cheer as Shane Hutchins managed a hat-trick of majors.

His first came midway through the second term to edge the home side in front by two points - the first time it hit the lead.

The Power contained Panmure to one behind in the period but despite the scoreboard being one-sided, the quarter was still hotly-contested.

The home side led by 15 points at the long change.

It came out and kicked the first three goals, including one from Ben Fraser who was quiet in the first half courtesy of Panmure's Sam Heffernan.

Fraser relieved Patrick Moloney of the ruck duties, with the goalkicking machine getting his hands to most of the ball-ups.

Late in the third quarter it seemed like there was going to be a Panmure revival as the ball hovered in its attacking half from midway through the period until the siren sounded.

But lack of options up forward - thanks to the defensive efforts of Craig Blackberry and Jason Boydle - and the composure of Madden in the danger zone ensured the Bulldogs couldn't capitalise on having possession.

Twenty-eight points separated the teams at three-quarter time, with Conheady telling his side a swing in momentum was all it would take to stage the upset.

The swing never came.

Fraser dominated in the final term by pushing from the middle of the ground into Kolora-Noorat's attacking arc.

He booted three of the Power's eight last quarter goals while the Bulldogs were scoreless.

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1
 Kolora-Noorat's Bradley Johnson dives in an effort to beat Panmure's Ben Meade to the loose ball. 090523DW70 Pictures: DAMIAN WHITE  Shane Hutchins, for Kolora-Noorat, jumps for a mark over Panmure's Tom Wright. 090523DW50
Kolora-Noorat's Bradley Johnson dives in an effort to beat Panmure's Ben Meade to the loose ball. 090523DW70 Pictures: DAMIAN WHITE Shane Hutchins, for Kolora-Noorat, jumps for a mark over Panmure's Tom Wright. 090523DW50
 Kolora-Noorat's Bradley Johnson dives in an effort to beat Panmure's Ben Meade to the loose ball. 090523DW70 Pictures: DAMIAN WHITE  Shane Hutchins, for Kolora-Noorat, jumps for a mark over Panmure's Tom Wright. 090523DW50
Kolora-Noorat's Bradley Johnson dives in an effort to beat Panmure's Ben Meade to the loose ball. 090523DW70 Pictures: DAMIAN WHITE Shane Hutchins, for Kolora-Noorat, jumps for a mark over Panmure's Tom Wright. 090523DW50
 Kolora-Noorat's Bradley Johnson dives in an effort to beat Panmure's Ben Meade to the loose ball. 090523DW70 Pictures: DAMIAN WHITE  Shane Hutchins, for Kolora-Noorat, jumps for a mark over Panmure's Tom Wright. 090523DW50
Kolora-Noorat's Bradley Johnson dives in an effort to beat Panmure's Ben Meade to the loose ball. 090523DW70 Pictures: DAMIAN WHITE Shane Hutchins, for Kolora-Noorat, jumps for a mark over Panmure's Tom Wright. 090523DW50

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