A DOMINANT display from big forward Brendan Smith and some fine finishing from crafty goal sneak Jack Frampton put Benalla All Blacks back in the premiership hunt on Saturday.
The Panthers endured the fortnight from hell leading into their semi final clash with King Valley, losing star veterans Richard Bull and Tony Reaper to season ending injuries, while mercurial forward Duane Haebich was rubbed out for three weeks on a striking charge.
Two 15-plus goal losses to Milawa in the space of five weeks left many punters convinced Benalla would suffer a second straight sets exit from the finals race in as many years.
And given the form King Valley displayed in a 45-point dismissal of Greta last week, who could blame them?
The Roos played just as well in sunny conditions at Tarrawingee on Saturday, and were more than competitive for three quarters, trailing Benalla by just 14 points at the final change.
But after an emotion-charged rev up from coach Ben Wapling the Panthers finished the match full of running, piling on six goals to King Valley's one to secure a 46-point victory the club's first senior finals win since 2002 and a shot at Moyhu in next weekend's preliminary finals.
Frampton was the go-to man in the final term, finding time and space and kicking the ball beautifully to register four goals for the quarter, taking his tally to 6.1 for the day.
By - SCOTT ANDERSON.
www.nenews.com.au
STRONGARM TACTICS: Benalla on-baller Drew Haebich brushes off Roo Jono Read in Saturday's 45-point victory.
PHOTO: Cheryl Browne
Last Modified on 07/09/2011 16:03