MD1 PENNO Vs Manly

MD1 -R2 11 Apr 2026 Sat - 15:05 pm - MKO1
G B Score PENNO 10 8 68 Manly 4 11 35					G B QT ST 3 3 21 21 1 2 8 8					G B QT ST 3 2 20 41 2 1 13 21					G B QT ST 2 1 13 54 1 3 9 30					G B QT ST 2 2 14 68 0 5 5 35
Best Players Pat Witt Jack Lucas Kalan Murray Harvey Barrett Roman de Vallance Matthew Carey
Goal Scorers Kalan Murray - 4 Lachlan Boyd - 2 Zac Morris - 2 Regan Pinker - 1 Henry Toczydlowski - 1

If ever there was a day to showcase Pennant Hills footy, Saturday at Mike Kenny Oval was it.

The ground looked an absolute treat, the sun was out, the canteen was doing strong numbers, and the Demons ran out at home ready for business. With six changes from our Round 1 side, there was plenty of intrigue heading into the match — and as it turned out, plenty to like by the final siren.

By the end of the afternoon, Pennant Hills had secured a convincing 10.8 (68) to 4.11 (35) win over a stubborn Manly outfit. A 33 point margin that reflected steady control rather than an easy cruise.

From the opening bounce it was clear we were up for a contest. Manly never stopped coming and played the role of the classic annoying gnat — just when you thought you’d shaken them off, they were back again, buzzing around and refusing to let us relax. Credit to them for their persistence and competitiveness throughout the game.

Despite that pressure, our boys maintained composure and structure from the outset. There were moments where polish wasn’t perfect (early season football will do that), but the intent and effort never dipped.

One of the standout features of the day was our ruck dominance. Roman de Vallance and Squid were immense, giving our midfield first use time and again. Their work around stoppage laid the foundation for much of what followed, allowing us to play the game in our forward half for large stretches.

When the ball went forward, the forward line looked dangerous and — more importantly — functional. Squid was in outstanding form, finishing with four goals and providing a constant contest. His work rate and presence made life hard for Manly defenders all afternoon, earning him the $50 Flex Player of the Day.

Boyd chipped in with two goals, continuing his strong early season form, while Zac M added two of his own, making the most of his opportunities. Pinks and HT also found the scoreboard, rounding out a forward group that shared the load and applied consistent pressure.

What pleased the coaching group most was the balance — strong aerial contests, smart ground level pressure, and forwards working up the ground to create options. When one avenue closed, another appeared.

Through the middle, the group worked hard all day. While Manly brought plenty of heat around the contest, our mids stuck to their roles and trusted the system. Clean exits, repeat efforts, and smart decisions under pressure allowed us to control momentum without needing to chase the game.

Jack Lucas was influential both ways, earning him the $50 Coaches Award. His composure and work rate stood out, particularly when the game threatened to become scrappy.

Kalan Murray, Harvey Barrett, and Matt Carey all contributed strongly, ensuring we didn’t lose traction when rotations came into play.

A special mention needs to go to the backline, which quietly produced one of the most pleasing aspects of the win.

With the unit made up largely of traditionally Div 3 players and newly graduated Under 19s, this was an area that tested us on paper. What we got instead was a rock steady defensive effort built on discipline, communication, and trust.

They held their shape, applied consistent pressure, and forced Manly wide and long. Add Wombat’s experience and leadership into the mix, and suddenly the group looked settled well beyond its collective experience.

The standout among them was Patrick Witt, whose blend of class and brutality added a physical edge without sacrificing composure. Paddy’s performance earned him a deserved $50 Player of the Day and set the tone defensively.

This was a really solid team performance, particularly given the number of changes from our opening game. The ruck division gave us ascendancy, the forward line was relentless, and the backline showed maturity beyond its years.

Manly deserves credit — they never rolled over and kept pushing all day. But our ability to stay patient, trust our structures, and absorb pressure proved telling.

Looking ahead, the next three rounds are going to test us — no doubt about that. With multiple inclusions predicted as early as next week, there’s excitement building around what this group can become if we continue to build.

The coaching group is very pleased with where we’re heading. The foundation is there, the depth is emerging, and the competition for spots is just warming up.

Enjoy the win, enjoy the recovery, and let’s get ready for the challenges ahead. Up the Demons.