REIGNING premier Panmure has ended Kolora-Noorat’s 28-match unbeaten streak at Noorat Recreation Reserve with an 80-point victory.
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The Bulldogs became the first side since round 14, 2010 to upstage the Power on its home turf, dominating the first half en route to the 20.17 (137) to 8.9 (57) win.
Coincidentally, they were also the previous side to defeat the hosts at Noorat, winning by 16 points in round 14, 2010.
Football fans have to go back to round eight, 2008, to find a home defeat of a similar magnitude for Kolora-Noorat, when Merrivale kicked 19.3 and won by 62 points.
On Saturday, key forwards Tom White and Paul Daley (four goals each), defender Dan Meade and a clinical onball brigade were instrumental in the Bulldogs’ win.
The visitors kicked 9.5 to 3.6 in the first half and continued to press the longer the match went on, their dominance at the centre square notable.
Their best return was 6.7 in the last term. But the Power was also at its best during the period, adding 4.1 of its own to almost double its score.
But the news was not all positive for victorious coach Simon O’Keefe, whose men face a tricky encounter with Old Collegians this weekend.
Alex White had his hand in ice at half-time and was substituted out of the match, while James Keane injured a knee in a marking contest late.
For Kolora-Noorat, lively teenager Luke Tebble kicked six goals — scoring in every quarter — and was a clear standout, particularly when the ball hit the deck.
Jacob Lee bagged the hosts’ other two majors, while only wayward kicking prevented Michael Sleeman from having more of an impact.
Joe Kenna was the pick of a beaten midfield unit, Stephen O’Connor rebounded well from defence and ruckman Matthew Fidge broke even against James Keane.
The Power has injury concerns of its own, losing Michael Tebble and Luke Kenna to hamstring complaints.
O’Keefe said he was “happy enough, without being rapt” with his players’ performance. They were superior the first three weeks, he said.
He heaped praise on the Panmure midfield — Taylor McKenry, Shamus O’Beirne and Tim Condon were the pick — for laying the foundation of the win.
“We talked about before the game it was going to be a dangerous game and next week against Collegians is going to be a big one,” he said.
“And then Dennington (in round seven). We’ve got a three-week block which is going to be massive.”
Panmure kicked four of the first five goals and led by 25 approaching quarter-time, when Tom Wright capitalised on an O’Keefe clearance to goal on the run.
Daley, Sam Mahony and Tom White extended the margin to 42 before Luke Tebble cut the margin to 29 with consecutive goals before half-time.
But what little hope Kolora-Noorat had of mounting a comeback evaporated when the Bulldogs slammed on the first five goals of the third term.
Kolora-Noorat coach Ben Kenna said the result reflected “where both sides are at”. The Power had four 16-year-olds in its ranks.
“We had to work hard and it felt like we were chasing a lot. They’ve been a quality side the last two years,” he said.