Endeavour Hills youngster Tim Finau made a sensational switch from full-back to centre to play a pivotal role in his side’s inaugural Premier One win against the Northern Panthers on Saturday.By Marc McGowan
ENDEAVOUR Hills Rugby Union Club is toasting its first Premier One success after an “ugly” 22-17 win over the Northern Panthers at C.H. Sullivan Memorial Park on Saturday.
The hard-fought round three result also earned Endeavour Hills the Donnely Shield, which is awarded to the victor each time the teams clash.
The shield has been in the Panthers’ trophy cabinet for seven years, since the clubs last played in the same grade.
As with the previous week against Moorabbin, Endeavour Hills was in front at the break, but this time it was a more commanding 15-8 advantage courtesy of tries to Eddie Tonga and Ata Sua.
It was a different Northern outfit that stepped out in the second half, reviving memories of Endeavour Hills’ fade-out in round two.
The Panthers crossed for two tries to snatch a 17-15 lead from the visitors and looked set to inflict Endeavour Hills’ third straight defeat in its debut Premier One season.
Enter 20-year-old Tim Finau, who made a successful transition from his usual full-back spot to centre and used his trademark speed to put his side into a good field position.
Star flanker David Muliaga did the rest for Endeavour Hills and put the ball underneath the posts for the match-winning score and give his team an easy conversion opportunity, which was duly slotted.
However, there was only one player that Endeavour Hills coach Mark Thompson was interested in talking about after the match.
“Tim Finau stood up this game – he’s been standing up in all the games,” Thompson said.
“I tried him at centre and he did a really good job.
“I’m quite happy with how he’s going. He has a lot of take-off speed and he’s elusive – I’m talking him up.”
Thompson has no intention of Finau reverting back to his more familiar number 15 jersey, either.
“I will have a chat with the backs coach, but my mind’s made up. I might pull rank on them!” he laughed.
“He’s a young guy who is quick and has a beautiful sidestep both ways and he’ll put a lot of other teams under pressure. Watch out!”
While Thompson was pleased to escape with the points, he felt the win had more to do with the lesser opposition than any major improvement from his squad.
“I said to the guys after the game, ‘man, we were lucky’. It was an ugly win, but I’ll take it,” he said.
“We’ve got to up the ante. There was a noticeable difference between Northern’s play from the first to the second half.
“They came out like raging bulls in the second half and we can’t be comfortable with where we are.
“We need to pick up on all aspects of our game.”
Endeavour Hills looks headed for a second consecutive victory, with round four pitting it against the competition’s sole winless team Geelong.
The fixture kicks off at 3.15pm on Saturday at Hendy Street Reserve in Geelong.
