Pumped Panthers pluck Roosters
GRAHAM Middlebrook described the mood in the Panthers bus on the way home from Calliope last Saturday as "jovial".
The reality is the boys on the bus would have been pumped, after both A-grade and reserve grade recorded wins against the Calliope Roosters.
"The guys were pretty happy with the result, even though it probably wasn't the best game they've played this year," Middlebrook said.
"I felt they played better the previous week, even though we didn't secure the two points then."
Middlebrook said it was good to see the guys get a result for their efforts, with the win the first for the A-grade outfit this season.
"The past few weeks things have been coming together nicely and it would be great if we continued to improve on each game."
Panthers' A-grade dominated the first half, but were frustrated by some "startling" refereeing decisions in the second half.
"I don't want to take anything away from their win and I don't want to bag the officials, but our guys were getting pretty frustrated by some things that they had no control over in the second half and I don't want to come down on them to harshly for that."
Panthers welcomed back several players from injury and were able to elevate some of their young stars from reserve grade to A-grade.
"I have been waiting for the right time to introduce Nathan Young and Karl Stevens into the top grade and they both rose to the challenge.
"Nathan is still an under-18 player and he was terrific for us in the front row."
The Banana-based forward played in the Capras under-18 side this year and Middlebrook said he was impressed how well he handled A-grade.
He was also full of praise for reserve grade captain Raife Gill and Luke Shotton.
"Gilly is doing a great job leading reggies."
This weekend Panthers are to play Valleys, but it is likely the A-grade match will be postponed with several key Valleys players travelling to Townsville for a representative game for Gladstone.
"This will be a real test to see how far we have come this season," Middlebrook said.
"In the opening game Valleys thumped us 52-nil, but with several matches under our belts and several players back from injury, this game will show us where we stand this season."
SCOREBOARD
A-grade
Biloela 40 (Z Elliott 3, J Balnaves 2, S Horchner, D Thomas tries, J Balnaves 6 goals) def Calliope 24 (B Hough 2, S Gibson 2 tries, M King 2, M Notoa 2 goals).
Reserve grade
Biloela 30 (L Warden 2, R Miller 2, L Shotton tries, A Oakley 4, M Adams goals) def Calliope 26 (J Batchelor 2, D Johnston, W McDonald, M Johnson tries, J Batchelor 3 goals)
