By Nick Creely
Tom Donnell, Brett Forsyth, Peter Siddle, Darren Pattinson, Lincoln Edwards, Cam Forsyth, Akshat Buch, Ed Newman, Jacques Augustin, James Nanopoulos, Peter Cassidy and Jak Jowett.
These are the names of champions, all etched into Dandenong history as premiership players, and as one of the great sides of the Victorian Premier Cricket modern era.
Throughout what has been an extraordinary 2017/18, in which Tom Donnell’s ruthless squad has built a reputation and standing that will be talked about for a long time, the Panthers have exceeded every challenge in its wake.
Throwing back to the demolition of Carlton to claim the one day premiership, champion batsman Brett Forsyth declared “We’re a hungry group and a hungry club, and we’re always chasing titles.”
They’ve certainly played as such.
Donnell’s side, with its mix of exceptional young talent and dedicated veterans are a side to marvel at.
And as they faced Fitzroy-Doncaster, a power club searching for its third premiership in a row over the Easter weekend, the Panthers were simply marvellous.
The selectors were faced with a tough decision after former Test cricketer Peter Siddle suddenly became available for the Panthers, forcing impressive recruit Jak Jowett out of the match.
It was a decision that ultimately proved inspiring, with a day one burst on Junction Oval the match winner.
Siddle, with all his class and experience, shredded apart the Lions after being sent in, taking 6/45 to remove the reigning premiers for just 105.
It didn’t take long for Siddle to make his almighty impact known, removing opener Jack Rudd in his first over, before claiming the scalps of Matt Frith and Nat Vardi early to have the Lions 3/7 and on the back foot.
Highly talented with bat or in the field, Cam Forsyth provided moments of magic in the field.
His first was a catch of pure reflexes, with Vardi caught at back pad above his head with one hand.
Later, Forsyth used incredible judgment to take another stunner in the outfield, removing the dangerous Trent Lawford as he looked to swing the game back.
These were the moments that defined the game, and ultimately became the source of inspiration.
Going in at stumps 3/119, with Lincoln Edwards and Ed Newman showing resolve to help the Panthers cross the Lions on first innings, it was just about batting time on day two and the cup was destined to make its way to Shepley Oval.
Edwards finished on 56, taking his total 541 for the season, but the Lions fought back admirably, eventually dismissing the Panthers for 229 after Lawford (4/84) bent his back to give his side a fighting chance.
Heading into the final day, the Lions rolled over for 161, with Darren Pattinson ending his extraordinary comeback season with 4/29 off 13 brilliant overs, and the task was simple, score 38 runs, and the title is Dandenong’s.
In a fitting moment, the Panthers’ champion pair, a duo that has been a beacon of hope, leadership and class for the best part of a decade, found the runs.
Tom Donnell (28) and Brett Forsyth (10) ran down the runs in just 5.1 overs, with Donnell belting the ball to deep square leg to bring up the winning runs.
It ends a season where the Panthers truly bounced back from last year’s heartbreak, with two titles in 2017/18 making them one of the more dominant sides in recent memory.
The Panthers now have three premierships next to their name, with the 2017/18 cup set to sit next to the glory of 2006/07 and 2010/11, premierships that both Pattinson and Siddle also played in.
