Junior Panthers round out the season in fine form

It took a while for the frost to melt and the fingers to thaw but it was a beautiful day for everyone who made their way down to watch the juniors. The youngest panthers combined forces in the under six competition with the Dunedoo Swans and the Coolah Roos for some fun mixed games.

It’s been a long season for the youngsters, with the diehard players hanging in there and clearly ready to step up into the eights next year! The under eights both had two games each and were looking sharp with some impressive steps, tackles, and big runs throughout the day.

Under eight Brown had some big efforts from Zailen McEwen, Lochie Thomas, and Panthers of the week Hugh Harvey and Dusty Jordan. Try of the day though went to Liam Cosier who has clearly been watching the pros on TV too much with a showy dive over the line to nail the try and a high five with coach Ado on his run back. Pretty sure he has relived that one a few times since!

Under eight white also had two games with the luxury of a warmer timeslot for their first. It was mate verse mate with our Panthers showing great sportsmanship by jumping onto the opposition teams to even up the sides. All of the kids played very well with our superstar Panthers this week going to Darnan Priddis, Levi Burrell, and Archie O'Connor with each of them getting some points on the board.

The under 10 teams were looking to cement their place in the finals, with Browns bringing home a convincing 52-16 win over the combined Coolah /Dunedoo team while Whites hung on for a 16-all draw in their match.

The two Gil teams squared off against each other on the main oval later in the day with a solid effort from both teams, moving the ball around the field and working together to apply the pressure.

It was Eason’s brown team that came out on top 36-16 making it two from two this season in the under 10 local derby over Hazelton’s white team. Matari Towney was in damaging form for Browns scoring four tries and well supported by Khyran O’Neil, Dallas Burrell, and Mitch Cosier who also added to the tally.

With finals kicking off on Saturday, there’s plenty of interest to see how the under 10 ladder finishes up, and a strong chance the teams will play each other again at some point over the next few weeks.

Both under 12 teams were in impressive form with convincing wins over the Coolah side and showing they are both strong contenders heading into finals. Brown’s won 44-16, while white’s held out Coolah all match, 46-0.

The two under 12 Gil sides also played each other, rounding out the day on the main oval. This matchup was expected to go down to the wire given how far both teams have developed through the season and the boys didn’t disappoint, final score going white’s way, 22-16.

It was a very competitive match and played in great spirit, well done everyone. The under 14s were put to the test, putting in a solid effort against the Roos, however it was the visitors who took home the points, final score 24-8. Panther of the week Cobie Carr was solid all game and crossed the line for an impressive try along with Sam Dunn.

Match details were light on for the netballers this week however, it was great to see the girls enjoying some games against the visitors after a few rounds of playing against each other.

The junior Panthers head to Coonamble on Saturday for the first week of the finals.

Under six and eight football and under eight and under 10 netball will wrap up their season with a carnival format while the competitive under 10, under 12 and under 14 football and under 12 netball will compete in the first round of finals.

While the final wash-up of the ladder hasn’t been confirmed and will be reported next week, it has definitely been a strong season for the juniors.

Good luck panthers!

Congratulations to the Panthers of the Week:

Netball Six/eight white: Annabelle Foran

Six/eight brown: Ava Mallison

10 white: Amarni Thurston

10 brown: Nenea Burrell

12 brown: Eliza Larkin

12 white: Aylah Barnes

Football Under six: Oli Newton

Under eight white: Archie O'Connor, Levi Burrell, and Darnan Priddis

Under eight brown: Hugh Harvey, and Dusty Jordan

Under 10 white: Jaxon Dixon

Under 10 brown: Cody Young

Under 12 white: Ben Mudford and Thomas Harris

Under 12 brown: Glynn McIllwain

Under 14: Cobie Carr