Toby Prime, Diamond Valley Leader
May 29, 2017 9:20am
ELTHAM last week conceded a staggering 15 goals in the final quarter against Bundoora, but on Saturday the Panthers pulled off a memorable come-from-behind victory.
With its backs against the wall, Eltham only hit the front for the first time in the contest late in the last term to record an eight-point win over premiership fancy Macleod.
Trailing by 19 points at the final change, the Panthers kicked six goals to one in a dominant final quarter to register a 11.7 (73) to 9.11 (65) win.
Since its narrow Round 1 win over Greensborough, the Panthers had lost their next four games by an average of 10 goals.
Eltham coach Paul King said he was proud of the way his side responded after the onslaught from Bundoora last week, when it slammed home 15 goals in the last quarter.
“It just adds belief that if we come with the right mindset and are willing to compete for four quarters, not just for a quarter here or there, that we can compete with most of the sides in the competition,” King said.
“It gives the boys belief they are a reasonably good side … but it is a very tight competition and you can’t have ups and downs.”
The win kept Eltham a game clear of relegation, however King said avoiding demotion was not his side’s focus.
Eltham faces Whittlesea on Saturday in a contest that could loom as critical to the relegation equation.
“I haven’t mentioned that (relegation) to the players yet but I think they realise where we sit,” King said.
“We’ll still have ups and downs for the rest of the year, I understand that because we are a pretty young group but we just have to be as positive as we can.”
