Ben Cordes retired after Saturday’s Horsham District league round two encounter. It was his 100^th game.

Panthers assistant coach Zac May said the win was bittersweet with Cordes stepping away from football. 

“His heart beats red and blue,” he said. 

The Lakers were in the lead at quarter time, 4.4 (28) to 2.7 (19). 

But the Panthers returned to the ground with strength, keeping the visitors scoreless and taking the lead. 

After the main break, the Lakers were raring to go and scored the first major. 

It was short lived, however, with the Panthers dominating the third term and continuing that momentum into the final stanza. 

A dampener was put on the day when Taylors Lake’s James Offer was sent to the change rooms after punching a Panther in the neck region. 

Offer was reported and will have the option to take the two weeks suspension or challenge at the tribunal. 

May said it was good for the Panthers to get a win on the board. 

“At half time a few blokes (including myself) copped a bit of a spraying,” he said. 

“So we just decided we would come out and play with a bit more passion. 

“We had a fair bit to play for, which made a huge difference.” 

May said the side improved incredibly in the second half. 

“We just needed time to gel a bit more and I think that showed,” he said.