AFL –
They won the inaugural Black Diamond Cup all the way back in 2000 and now 20 years on, the Terrigal-Avoca Panthers have done it again, making it back to back premierships.
In a rivalry almost as old as the competition itself, the Panthers marched out at Adelaide St Oval last Saturday to face Newcastle City Blues in their third successive big dance.
The most dominant sides in Black Diamond history, the Panthers entered the decider with more to lose as the undefeated Minor Premiers and reigning Premiers to boot.
Having had the 2018 title snatched away from them in clinical comeback by City, the Panthers knew not to let the allure of back-to-back titles distract them.
This time however, the roles were reversed with the Blues racing out to a 34-9 lead by quarter time.
But from the second quarter onwards it was a totally different game.
Utilising the superb defense they’ve come to be known for, the Panthers kept the Blues scoreless as they piled on the points to secure a 51-34 lead heading into half time.
By the end of the third quarter they’d ballooned that lead to 75-37 and while the Blues fought back hard in the final stretch, it was not enough to counteract the Panthers’ nine unanswered goals, with the final score 76-50.
The win brings the Panthers’ total First Grade Premierships up to seven, making them the second most decorated club in the competition’s history.
And 76 would prove to be the Panthers’ lucky number, with their Reserve Grade going on to record a three-peat win in the Black Diamond Plate after they also outdid the Blues 76-47.
Panthers Head Coach, Chris Bishop, said the dual premierships were a testament to players, whose efforts have continued to carve out a reputation of prestige for the club.
“The boys just took total control in the grand finals.
“The Blues always play tight, good footy, but there really was just nothing in it this time round.”
With the First Grade undefeated since Round 2 of last year’s comp and the Reserves having only lost two games in the past three years, Bishop said consistency was key to the Panthers, with the club striving to keep itself at the helm of local AFL.
“For the past nine year’s we’ve appeared in the First Grade grand final and we just want to keep that form up,” Bishop said.
With the season wrapped, Bishop reflected on what was logistically the most challenging season in living memory.
“Going from being worried whether we’d have a season at all to panicking over the constant rule changes was hard, but the AFL did a fantastic job of getting community sport back up and running.”
Dilon Luke