Football
13 May, 2026
Panthers prevail in tight contest against Lakers
Rupanyup’s senior football side bounced back from consecutive losses to defeat Taylors Lake in a close round five encounter on Saturday May 9. Playing at home, the Panthers kicked 12.12 (84) to the Lakers’ 11.4 (70).
Playing at home, the Panthers kicked 12.12 (84) to the Lakers’ 11.4 (70).
After the Lakers scored a goal in the opening minute, Rupanyup dominated territory and inside 50 opportunities in the opening quarter, but some inaccuracy meant they entered quarter time with a 23-18 lead.
Three straight goals from the home side gave them the momentum and a three-goal lead before a Lee Marshall major just before halftime saw the Lakers cut the deficit to 12 (43-31) at halftime.
The visitors made the most of their opportunities early in the third quarter, with a Justin Beugelaar goal giving them a one-point lead briefly before goals to Sam Kamstra and Daniel Schaper ensured the Panthers regained the lead, entering the final break up 62-57.
Goals from Austin Guisa and Deek Roberts brought the Lakers back to within a couple of points of the Panthers.
But the home side made consistent forward 50 entries, with a Blake Turner goal, followed by a Sid Kingston major off a free kick, ensuring Rupanyup finished 14-point victors.
In his 100th senior game for the Panthers, Blake Turner finished with three goals, while Sam Kamstra also had a strong game up forward against his former club, also kicking three.
Also among the key contributors, Daniel Weetra had a strong game at halfback, while Jimmy Finnigan, Xavier Pumpa, and Sid and Alby Kingston all had impact games in the midfield.
Austin Guisa led the Lakers with three goals, while Lee Marshall kicked two.
Deek Roberts, Bray Cullinan and Jye Brown were also among the best on-field for Taylors Lake.
Rupanyup coach Cam Weston admitted it was a hard-fought battle all game, and was particularly pleased with how his side closed out the final quarter.
“It never got any more than a three-goal lead either way, and it was pretty tight and contested all day,” he said.
“I told the team that Taylors Lake would come out strong in the fourth, which they did, and brought it within a point or two.
“Again, it was very contested, but we managed to break them open later in the quarter, and a goal from Sid Kingston from 45 metres put us up by two goals, which was huge.
“The boys did well to hold on in that last quarter.”
The Panthers' coach had special praise for several young players on the team.
“It was great to see some of the local young talent on show,” Weston said.
“Both the Kingstons played really well, and Sid backed up after playing in the under-17s, so it was a champion effort from him.
“Alby and Jimmy Finnigan played on ball the majority of the day and were workhorses, and guys like Riley Downer and Xavier Pumpa were really good as well.”
Weston admitted the side had to pay extra attention to Deek Roberts after he moved to the wing in the second half for the Lakers.
“They threw Beugelaar forward in the second half, and moved Deek Roberts to the wing, and he played really well for them, so we had to put a tag on him.
“I thought Sam Kamstra had a good game for us up forward.
“He came over from Taylors Lake, so they were giving him a bit of grief, so it was good for Sammy to kick a couple early goals and get his confidence up.”