WBFL – Under 16

After a disappointing loss against South Gambier the boys wanted to make an improvement when they faced North Gambier on Saturday.

There was a strong wind favouring the end with the netball courts and after winning the toss and electing to kick with the wind, the boys used it to their advantage even though the tigers started off fast, the pressure was up from both teams, but Casterton drew first blood with Kaeden Talay kicking the first of the day.

At the quarter-time break the boys were in front by seven points and they were told to be wary of the wind and kicking into it, but with the Cats’ pressure they stood up to the challenge, keeping North to just to four behinds.

Mitchell Bright and Sam Craig both kicked majors for the Cats to extend the lead out to 16 points at half-time.

The half-time break saw a bit of relief for the Cats, knowing they have the wind in the third quarter and the boys capitalised on their opportunities.

Talay added to his goal tally of the day with two beautiful goals - one from 50 metres out and one over his shoulder, while Sam Craig also added to his other goal with a 40-metre wobbler that went through the big sticks.

Coming into the final break with a 34-point lead, the Cats they knew they would still have to keep the pressure up because North could still finish strong.

North did try to finish strong with the breeze in the final quarter, but the Cats were able to hold off with the Tigers, kicking four unanswered goals in the final quarter to make it a nail-biting finish, holding on to win by nine points.

The Cats’ best players were very hard to pick because after a win, it’s a team effort and you cannot pick out standout players.

Best-on was the big full forward, Kaeden Talay, kicking his three goals but also supplying a target in the forward line, while providing first use of the ball when he went into the middle.

Rufaro Makore was once again solid in defence, using his speed and agility to rebound the ball out of the back line so the Cats had quick movement up the field.

Rhys Southern also played a solid game in defence, not allowing his opponent to get his hands on the ball.

Sam Craig, the wingman, gave his team some run on the wing and some beautiful use of the football with his amazing skills.

Riley Hornibrook was once again head-over-the-ball and pressuring his player whenever he went near the Sherrin, so that he didn’t have enough time to get rid of the ball and finally Sully Gibbs, one of the many reliable midfielders that uses the ball well and gives his teammates first use.

The boys look forward to playing at home again and hopefully retain their second spot on the ladder against West.

WBFL – Under 14

THERE was a heavy downpour at Vansittart Park that cleared shortly before the start of the Under 14 match, our kids looked cold running out onto the park!

Nonetheless, the Cats drew first blood with the team pumping the ball out of the centre and down to Jaggar Geary in the goal square, who took an easy mark and converted the first goal of the match.

North replied shortly after to even the score in the same sort of style with their big forward replying.

Next, some great play from Archie Lane in the Cats’ back line, got the ball onto Krystal Collier who sent it through the centre corridor and eventually made it into the safe hands of Connor Stephens, who marked strongly 15 metres out on a slight angle; no doubts for the goal umpire about this kick, sailing straight and putting the Cats up by a goal.

Once again North replied with a couple of points and then a goal with their big full forward number 52 causing trouble for our defence line.

Cats managed another point and at quarter-time the score was Cats 2.1.13, North 2.2.14.

Sam Patton put in some great work to gather the ball on the 50 arc and sent it to Jack Rhook within distance, but the distance wasn’t quite made and a touched point on the line evened the score.

A snap from Jedd Rhook pushing from a pack in the forward line resulted in another point for the Cats.

Sam Patton never giving up again turned the ball over and a great shepherd from Rupert Dorahy allowed Jedd to deliver the ball safely to Jack Rhook, who scored the goal the Cats really needed after threatening the whole second quarter.

Then the flood gates opened, it was like the Cats lifted a couple of notches all over the ground and were dominating possession.

Lachie Auld and Billy Rhook combined to keep the ball alive in our forward flank area, Connor gathered the Sherrin and slammed it on his boot towards the goal square and big Jack Rhook emerged again from the pack, getting in great position to take a strong mark 20-metres out right in front of goals, taking the score to Cats 4.3.27, North 2.2.14.

Blake Kurzman looking extremely confident in defence, attacking the ball off half back, kicked to Nate Longhurst who continued a nice bit of play to Jaggar Geary who sent the ball with a whopping kick deep into the forward line, with the transition happening so swiftly the North defence was struggling to man up and Jack was once again in the right place to gather and run into the open goals for his third goal in seven minutes.

Takudzwa Makore and Billy Rhook combined in the middle with some great defensive tackling while North was starting to threaten to score in the dying minutes of the first half.

Archie stood tall and took a strong mark at centre half back.

Half-time scores saw the cats 19 points up.

The third quarter started with Reghan Parsons putting on a show with a pick-up, side-step and spin in the centre of ground, delivering the ball accurately to Jaggar who was looking very agile in the forward line this week.

He fired the ball on to Jedd Rhook, who busted out of the pack and scored the Cats’ sixth goal.

North seemed to be panicking with a lot of play in our forward fifty for the third quarter, next Jaggar got free in the goal square and banged another goal onto our tally.

North finally managed to score another goal late in the quarter to take the score to Cats 7.4.46, North 3.3.21. 

Our backline was under pressure, but some great work from the likes of Kelem Blenkiron, Ayden Nolte, Alex Hill and a desperate smother from Sam Patton saved a sure north goal.

There seemed to be a lot of free kicks paid to North Gambier in the last five minutes, which eventually resulted in a goal.

At three-quarter-time the cats found themselves 18 points up, Cats 7.4.46, North 4.4.28

Coach Matt Kurzman at three-quarter-time said the boys took their foot off the pedal in the last five minutes, let’s not get complacent with the score line - the job’s not done yet.

He said he couldn’t see any smiles amongst the group?

“Get excited and bloody-well finish this game off!”

The kids were all revved up heading back out.

Kirby Vise was doing her job as usual off that backline, backing herself in and attacking the footy.

Jett Lykke, likewise, had one particular effort where he was three-on-one and he came out with the ball, running strongly and confidently turning defence in offense.

A point was scored via a dribble kick to the cats, before Archie Lane snagged a goal on the run to be the last score for the day, Cats 8.6.54 North 4.4.28

The confidence in all players in this team is growing every week, they are combining as a unit and lifting each other up with great teamwork.

As the team grows stronger, we are seeing individuals who would usually be a little sheepish, banging into packs and demanding the ball and using the ball smartly when it’s in our hands.

In past seasons this group has lost a lot more games than they have won and you find they just used to panic and slam the ball on the boot, but this season we are seeing passages of play that are well-constructed and the Cats team are in control of.

Keep up the good work everyone, it’s great to watch!!