Following the news that the AFL Central West (AFLCW) had cancelled the rest of the 2021 season due to the evolving COVID-19 situation in the region, it was announced that no winners would be declared, but that minor premiers would be acknowledged.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
One of those minor premiers acknowledged was, you guessed it, our undefeated Parkes Panthers!
Coach Mitch Stubberfield and his boys were simply peerless this season, and looked well on track for back-to-back flags before the season was halted.
Stubberfield is of course disappointed that the side isn't able to play in a grand final, but said he was confident the AFLCW had made the right decision.
"Awarding the minor premiership was the right call, it wouldn't have felt right to have been awarded the flag without a grand final, because anything could have happened," he told the Parkes Champion Post earlier this week.
"Cowra went into the grand final last year as heavy favourites and we were able to beat them, so that could have happened to us this year just as easily."
In their nine games this season, the undefeated Panthers put on a whopping 877 points and conceded just 86, giving them the phenomenal percentage of 1019.77.
There was a lot of player turnover between the 2021 and 2022 season, mainly due to players moving away or into Parkes for work.
That didn't seem to slow down the Panthers though, and Stubberfield said he was very pleased with the way players took their new opportunities.
"With a few key positions up for grabs some players weren't sure of their role in the preseason but they all got really stuck into training and grabbed their opportunities with both hands.
"Johnathan Morell in particular, he was such a big presence up forward for us this year and the way he transformed into such a dangerous target, there was no defender in the league that could come close to out-jumping him," said Stubberfield.
High
One of the most enjoyable parts of watching this side is the fact that there are so many contributors right across the field, and Stubberfield said the side's success was all about every player doing their bit.
"Not everyone needs to be the fittest or most skilful, they just need to play their role for the team.
"Little Riley (Pike) is one of those, he isn't the biggest but he just goes in so hard and the boys love playing with him," Stubberfield said.
Low
For Panthers supporters, the only low in 2021 is the case of what might have been. The boys were in a far better place heading into this season's finals than they were last year, and the premiership credentials looked very solid.
At the end of the day though, when it comes to grand finals absolutely anything can happen. So we will all be left wondering whether the Panthers would have won a grand final or not.
Best moment
When president Jarryd Harrison was carried off after his 200th senior game. An incredibly popular team mate both on and off the field, 'Jez' was able to kick a few goals in his milestone game and the massive grin on his face when he was carried off the field said it all.
Coach says
"We've had a great year but we'll just never know without being to play that grand final...but we have had a ripper of a year and there's been good growth in the club."
2022 prospects
Things are definitely looking up for the Panthers ahead of next season according to Stubberfield.
"We're looking a lot more stable heading into 2022, and with another year of footy under our belts we'll only get better.
"It has been good to have a core group over the last few years that are sticking around both on and off the field that can set the standards," said Stubberfield.
READ MORE SPORTS STORIES:
MVP
He looked a level above most players in the competition, and the Panthers were very lucky to have Ryan Alexander pulling the strings in the midfield this year. Stubberfield waxed lyrical about his fellow midfielder when asked what he brought to the side.
"Ryan is such an intelligent footballer, he runs great patterns and is so good with the footy in his hands," he said.
"He'd be on the shortlist for the Player of the Year for the entire competition this season I'd think."
Rising star
It's not so much that he's a young 'up-and-comer' but more a case of Ethan Morton just continuing to get better and better as a footballer. He's a tenacious on-baller who seemed to grow more as he got more responsibility, and he's a big part of the way the Panthers move the footy. Would hold his own in any Tier 1 midfield brigade.
Most improved
There was huge progression in the side's newer players this season, but Stubberfield reckoned the side's ruck, Alex Rogers, improved as much as anyone.
"Big Al has improved so much in the way he has gotten across the ground, and his rucking is so important for our midfield now," he said.
Well done boys, what an incredible season you had in 2021!
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:
Bookmark www.parkeschampionpost.com.au
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Instagram