By TOBIE CHAPMAN
MARIBYRNONG Park have kept their finals hopes alive after beating Pascoe Vale by 67 points in an upset at Raeburn Reserve.
In a must-win clash for the Lions they dominated their opponents in an impressive display, fighting off a third quarter challenge to win comfortably 20.17 (137) to 10.10 (70).
Marby looked stronger for much of the opening term but struggled to make the most of their opportunities. A couple of defensive lapses also undid their good work, and an eight-point lead at the first break did little to reflect the run of play.
Caleb Vearing and Robbie Castello put on a clinic off the half back line, their smart positioning and accurate kicking allowing their side to dictate the play.
Marby’s height up forward was posing difficulties, with Nick Prowse and Ben Jones threatening although struggling to make the most of their opportunities.
The absence of Jesse Wells did the Panthers no favours, and they were often undersized leaving them with a sizeable disadvantage in the air.
The game opened up in the second term as the Lions took hold in the midfield, often getting first hands to the ball and finding a number of options working hard to get the ball forward.
When second to the ball, they hunted in packs and piled on pressure to create turnovers.
The Panthers looked shell-shocked and frustrated, at times appearing to be more concerned about making contact with their opponents rather than creating space and attacking the ball.
Jimmy Hollow and James Breust stood up in the centre of the ground and were constantly able to both win the contested ball and provide run.
Samuel O’Brien was strong across the entire ground, and topped off his second term with a beautiful goal from a tough spot in the pocket.
Pacco’s day went from bad to worse as they conceded a free kick to Nick Prowse only seconds before the siren. He goaled from 25 metres out on a difficult angle to extend Marby’s lead to 33 points at halftime.
The third term saw a major momentum swing early; Ben Warren had been held well but began to find space and kicked two goals to start the term.
Pacco had quickly reduced the margin to only two goals, but a costly 50-metre penalty put Nick Prowse in range of goal.
Against the run of play he converted a badly needed goal for the Lions, and it signalled yet another change in momentum.
The last 10 minutes of the term saw Marby dominate, kicking the final four goals to lead by 38 points.
Despite an early chance to goal in the last quarter, Pascoe Vale looked panicked and unorganised while their opponents were typically classy and confident.
Marby didn’t let off, kicking six goals to two to top off an impressive display and deliver a badly needed percentage boost.
The Lions had a strong array of performers, capped off by 13 individual goalkickers with a haul of three goals from big man Ben Jones, not a prolific goalkicker, showcasing the team effort.
Marby now sit sixth on the Strathmore Community Bank Premier Division ladder, equal on points with fifth-placed Douttas.
They sit only a game out of finals, but their less than impressive percentage will make it a difficult prospect still.
The next two weeks against Strathmore and Greenvale will make or break their season and play a massive role in shaping the finals outlook.
PASCOE VALE | 10.10-70
Goal Kickers: B. Warren 3, J. Polizzi 2, D. Soncin, M. Cassinides, B. Ross, M. Ross, L. Forbes
Best Players: D. Soncin, G. Urquhart, M. Ross, A. Lewis, M. Cassinides, L. Foster
MARIBYRNONG PARK | 20.17-137
Goal Kickers: B. Jones 3, S. O''Brien 2, T. Lee 2, S. Bevan 2, C. Prowse 2, C. Lee 2, R. Castello, J. McKenzie, S. Cave, N. Prowse, C. Van Der Byl, J. Breust, J. Morano
Best Players: S. O''Brien, J. Breust, J. McKenzie, B. Hollow, R. Castello, S. Cave
