Harper Sercombe
Newport is out of the Western Region Football League division 2 finals series following a nail biting loss the Albion.
The Panthers were strong early in their first division 21 preliminary final, enjoying a 14 point lead at quarter time, but the Cats were up for the fight, kicking three majors in the second, while only allowing the Panthers one behind.
The Panthers made their way back into the contest during the third quarter as they took a four point lead into the last.
The game began to crack open for the final term, with the Cats adding four foals to the Panthers three, giving the Cats a 10.10 (70)-10.6 (66) win.
Munir El Houli was amongst the Panthers best with three majors while Jack Papachatzakis and Jawad Jawad kicked two each.
Following the loss Panthers coach Josh Russo informed his players of his decision to not coach in the 2024 season so he can spend more time with his young family. Russo was a player, assistant coach before he was made head coach at Newport.
“After joining the club in early 2018, Josh has played a massive part in the continued growth of this footy club, culminating in our first senior finals campaign which ended on Saturday,” the club said via a release.
Russo said while the loss was disappointing this season has exceeded his expectations.
“You always want the chance to have a crack at a granny, it’s been a pretty solid year,” Russo said.
“I just thought Albion was the most consistent side… we probably had our chances at different stages as they did and they took them.
“In a close game like that if you don’t take any chances, the opposition gets up and you pack up and go home.
“But I was really proud of the boys yesterday [Saturday], it wasn’t a lack of effort or anything like that, we just ran into a good side and fell a bit short.
“If you told me in January that we’d be in a prelim, I would have taken it.”
Russo said he’s been hugely impressed with the boys and how they’ve gone about it and the effort and the way as a club we’ve bandied together and played some really good footy at the end of the year.
With the season now done, the club’s focus will quickly turn to recruiting in an effort to make that next step, although Russo won’t be a part of the recruiting process he suggested some areas the club may look into.
“From a club point of view, [try and recruit] probably a bit more experience, and we probably lacked a genuine key forward, obviously everyone looks for a ruckman,” he said.
“So I think a bit of seniority and leadership, as well as a key position player will be really handy.
“It will do a lot for the club and the young group coming through, that guidance and leadership is going to be huge.”
