The day was hot and the grass was long at TSI for the return of the domestic season. The mood was buoyant and everyone was keen as mustard to get back on the paddock.

The women’s match saw the Golden Jackals dominate the Black Panthers. The Jackals were wasteful in front of goal kicking three goals six in the first quarter but it mattered not, they dominated possession and kept the Panthers scoreless in the first quarter. Such was the dominance of the Jackals that they only conceded points in the second quarter and what memorable points they were. The huge crowd at TSI got to witness the first ever goal from fan favourite Jules, who torpedoed a long range set shot through the sticks after being paid a free kick by fiance/umpire J-Mac. That was by far the highlight for the Panthers as the Jackals continued their dominance throughout the match. Fiona had a game to remember, kicking a bag of five goals.

The men’s match began as a tight tussle but ended up equally one-sided. Skinny’s rugby mate Corry played his first ever match and had an outstanding debut at centre-half back for the Jackals. The tall Irishman read the ball well and made many excellent defensive efforts. The Panthers also strengthened their squad with the drafting of Eric “Easy E” who has returned to the Tigers after a long stint with Cambodia. J-Mac was also back following neck surgery and Tinkie returned from his hamstring strain.  

The first half was tight. The Panthers kicked four goals to the Jackals three but gave themselves many more chances, kicking six behinds. Gunny, on loan from the Panthers was on fire and ended up with four goals, an outstanding effort on only one leg. Coyote, too had a blinder, taking the grab of the game in front of the main stand and later making a telling tackle on the Jackals star player Hasto. The Panthers ran over the top of the Jackals in the second half, kicking nine goals to the Jackals solitary one. Umpiring in his jandals, Sammo didn’t miss a trick with the whistle, ruthlessly enforcing the stand rule and memorably pinging Welby for a push in the back.

It was a great return to footy after the mid-season break as the squad looks ahead to the Asian Champs at the end of the month. 

Men’s Black Panthers 13.9.87 defeated Golden Jackals 4.6.24	Women’s Golden Jackals 10.10.70 defeated Black Panthers 2.3.15
Panthers Gunny – 4 Jay – 3 Pez – 3 Jame – 1 J-mac – 1 WuTang – 1 Jackals Hasto – 2 Welby – 1 Frankie – 1	Jackals Fiona – 5 Bie – 2 Dee – 1 Toon – 1 Krit – 1 Panthers  Jules – 1 Benz – 1