ANGASTON has moved to a 7-1 win-loss record as it scrapped to a 28-point victory over Freeling in Barossa, Light & Gawler A-grade football on Saturday.
The Panthers kicked 2.8 to 2.1 in the first quarter to lead by just seven points, allowing the Redlegs to stay in the contest.
Despite his side’s inaccuracy, Ryder Eberhard was in devastating form, while Brady Scott was continuing his sensational individual season up forward for the Legs.
Both sides kicked 4.2 in the second stanza, with the seven-point margin staying intact at half-time.
The Panthers then failed to take their chances in the third quarter, booting just 1.4 to the Legs’ two behinds to only lead by 15 points at the final change.
However, the leadership and class of Angaston oozed through, with James Paprotny, Matt Blenkiron and Jack Miles doing plenty to ensure their side ran out winners.
Eberhard finished with five majors, while Scott kicked three for Freeling. Alex Stengle also booted two for the losing side, while Lachlan Heinrich and Josh Hand were prolific.
Angaston player-coach Jay Shannon was ecstatic with his side’s win over a fellow premiership contender.
“I was really happy…we knew it’d be a tough game,” he said.
“It would’ve been a good game to watch, both teams were fierce and there wasn’t a whole lot between us for most of the day.”
However, Shannon was frustrated with his sides missed chances early.
“I think the first quarter that showed we had a lot more inside 50s and we had a lot more of the play than them,” he said.
“We kicked 2.8 and a lot of that was from our rushed entries inside 50 from about 60 or 70m out.
“We could’ve hit the targets a bit better and probably put our forwards under a bit of pressure.
Key forward Eberhard kicked a season-high five goals, and Shannon said it would be close to his best performance this year.
“Probably would be close, he kicked five and he just looked dangerous every time leading out,” he said.
“If we delivered the footy a bit better, he could’ve had more, it sat over on his head when he had a few metres on his opponent.
“He gives us that target, he’s hard to defend, he’s so quick off the lead, I think if we could hit him up better and out in front, he could duke a few more.”