By Jonty Ralphsmith
A 10-minute patch of Paddy Ryder magic turned a high-pressure low-scoring final Devon Meadows’ way against ladder-leaders Karingal on Sunday.
The Panthers had all the running in the second quarter but couldn’t hit a target inside 50, which kept Karingal ahead on the scoreboard at halftime.
Karingal brought physicality all day, putting a high currency on clean fundamentals as they made the class of Joel Hillis, Dean Kent and hard working best-on-ground Nick Battle earn their possessions.
“The whole club’s up-and-about and buzzing and hoping we can keep it going this week,” coach Ryan Hendy said.
“We showed character – the boys were up against it because Karingal came out and really had a crack at us.
“It was a really physical game and the skill level probably wasn’t the best you’ll see because both sides cracked in.
“That was the best outcome.
“The week before was a bit of a soft win, but yesterday was a hard fought win, which gives the boys confidence that if there’s a tight game and the boys have to stand up, they’re more than capable of doing it.”
After halftime, Karingal had opportunities to put the game away but were unable to convert as Devon Meadows’ zoned defence forced them wide.
Then it was Paddy time.
He scored Devon Meadows’ only three goals of the third quarter, standing up to take big marks when the midfielders were finally able to get it in more efficiently.
And he seized each of his moments, making Karingal pay for converting just four of their 17 scores.
“He was the difference in the end,” Hendy said.
“He didn’t have a goal up until halftime and they were up, and the game was in the balance and Paddy Ryder, through absolute brilliance, got us back in front and we held onto the lead from there.”
Riley Simmons turned the screws in the ruck after halftime which helped Devon Meadows improve their contested work, after getting smashed inside in the first half.
“Our midfielders were absolutely brilliant in the last half,” Hendy said.
“We were losing the clearances 14-6 at one stage and I told them it was a priority we break even or get our nose in front, and to the boys’ credit, they ramped it up in the middle of the ground.”
The result, which the Panthers secured without the injured Stefan Baumgartner, sees Devon Meadows take on Mornington for a spot in the grand final against Somerville.
The Panthers lost to Mornington by a goal in the home-and-away season, the Bulldogs piling on early goals with the wind in that one with torrential rain making Hendy’s team’s job of catching up difficult.
Among Mornington’s talent that Devon will need to stop are former VFL players Josh Newman and Perry Lewis-Smith.
Ryder played that game, but Kent and Hillis were among a series of outs that will strengthen Devon Meadows’ prospects this time around.
