By RUSSELL BENNETT
DESPITE a promising start for the Pakenham Silverbacks in their Gridiron Victoria matchup with the Bendigo Dragons on Sunday, the experience of a Dragons team that played 1st Division finals last year prevailed in what was ultimately a convincing win – 42-0.
Defensive anchors Dan Salvar and Callum Riggins continued their promising form for the Pakenham side, which will change things up on both sides of the ball over the next few weeks as they look to hit their stride.
On the weekend, the Silverbacks started well defensively – picking up a sack on a Dragons’ third down to force a punt.
The offense hit the field and displayed some encouraging hard, tough running from the likes of Adam Kolinski and Jason Howlett.
The defense continued to hold firm, restricting the run with great outside containment from defensive ends Riggins and Salvar, in addition to Jack Lonie – playing out of position at middle linebacker due to injuries to three starting linebackers.
But a deep ball from the Dragons’ quarterback beat the Silverbacks’ man coverage for the first score of the game. The second quarter was much the same, with the Silverbacks’ offense moving the ball down the field and getting into scoring position through some crisp passes from quarterback Steve Mclean, but they again failed to convert a score.
The defense, again, held its own but was beaten with two decisive plays – a 40-yard reverse and another deep ball to go into the half 20-0 down.
The Silverbacks came out after half-time with the belief they could still claw their way back into the game, but much like the first half the offense moved the ball into scoring positions on numerous occasions, yet the relentless Dragons’ defense held strong. After a couple more big plays made by the Dragons’ quarterback and receivers, the Silverbacks’ coaches were forced to look to future games, trying a range of new formations – both offensively and defensively. Salvar and Riggins shared the Silverbacks’ man of the match honours.
Pakenham, third in the Division-2 standings, will now take on the fourth-placed Monash Barbarians at LE Cotchin Reserve in Reservoir from 10.30am this Sunday.
