WDFNL Senior football game played at Panmure between Panmure and South Rovers. Panmure player no17 Andrew Edis and SR no5 Matthew Lenehan. 120414DW19 Picture DAMIAN WHITE
ANY Warrnambool and District league followers who were thinking that Panmure was going to be a class above most of the competition following its round one demolition of Dennington should think again.
Bulldogs coach Simon O'Keefe believed Saturday's hard-fought 16.17 (113) to 13.8 (86) round two win over South Rovers was somewhat of a reality check.
"I think everyone got a bit carried away after round one and thought we were going to be such a good side but this game brings us down a fair bit," he said.
"The expectations of everyone were pretty high but we went into the game with a lot of respect for South Rovers and it was a good hit-out.
"I think it's going to be a real even competition this year and you've got to be on your game every week."
O'Keefe said his side was wasteful both approaching and in front of goal at Panmure on Saturday.
The Lions, kicking with the wind in the opening term, took a four-point advantage into the first break after getting on top around the stoppages while in the second quarter, they sent Lucas Wilson to play as a loose man in defence.
The positional move got the desired result, with the big man constantly cutting off the Bulldogs' deliveries into the forward line.
"We tried to use Gary Robinson one-out in the square," O'Keefe said of the imposing full forward, who was coming off a nine-goal haul in round one.
"But we just kept kicking it to (Wilson). He would've taken six or seven marks."
Despite some poor decision-making going forward, Panmure was still able to take a four-goal lead into the long change.
"The third quarter we were running and handballing the footy, which is what we're trying to do," O'Keefe said.
"We were looking up and hitting targets out in front but we still wasted it a bit.
"We missed some easy shots which really kept them in the game."
After kicking 3.6 to Rovers' 6.3 in the third quarter, the home side had a nine-point buffer going into the last term, in which it struggled to shake the visitors.
"We would kick a goal and they would come up with a reply," O'Keefe said.
"It was pretty even.
"They were always in the game.
"They were a well-drilled side and their kicking skills stood out."
While the Bulldogs are expected to make it three consecutive wins next weekend when they take on East Warrnambool, Rovers is searching for its first win of the season against Nirranda.
kbutler@standard.fairfax.com.au
