Round 6, Kalamunda V’s Brentwood Booragoon @ Harmony Field
After winning their first game for the season in round 4 against Melville by 73 points the Cougars approached round 5 full of confidence to beat West Coast, who were sitting in 5th spot on the PFL Ladder.
After a great first quarter leading by 26 points the Cougars were completely outplayed and lost the game by 23 points! Despite losing the game, the Cougars remain in 7th position on the Ladder by virtue of percentage.
As expected, this ‘home’ round at Harmony Field against Brentwood Booragoon, was a tough assignment as the Bulldogs who sit in 4th Position, fielded an experienced and tall side against the Cougars who had suffered a series of injuries from their last match.
It became apparent in the first quarter the Cougars were going to put the defeat against West Coast out of their minds as they matched the Bulldogs throughout the term, with their desperation to win the ground ball at all costs and reduce their opponent’s height advantage.
Cormac White was winning in the ruck duels and providing plenty of opportunities for Steve Caccetta, Michael DeGasperis and Trent Pottinger to move the ball forward where Tyler Mouritz, Ashton McGowan and Riley Graefling were providing plenty of headaches for the Bulldog backs.
Despite these great efforts the Bulldogs led by a point at quarter time. In the second term the game became a desperate struggle through a series of turnovers by the Cougars, however our backs stood firm to reduce the Bulldogs to 1.5 for the quarter against the Cougars 3 points.
The Cougars must have realised at the main break they were well and truly in the picture to make life miserable for the Bulldogs as they trailed by 19 points and if they improved their skill-level, they could cause an upset.
The Bulldogs must have approached the third quarter thinking they were going to wipe the floor with the Cougars. Because try as they might, they could only kick 6 solitary points through poor kicking at goal and heavy-duty defending led by Josh Touchell, Giancomo Paduano (playing his 100th), Chase Mansfield, Mitch Della-Franca and Bret Van Groningen.
The Cougars kicked 1.1 for the term and during the three quarter time break Coach Bolton reminded his team they only needed 2 points to match the Bulldogs and go on and win the match!
This is what they did and what appeared to be a tiring Bulldogs team saw the Cougars kick 4.4 to their miserable 2,2 to win by 11 points!
The Cougars are to be congratulated on this consolidated effort in view of the obstacles placed before them and should now use this win as a springboard for the rest of the season!
Final Scores: Kalamunda 9.9 – 63, Brentwood Booragoon 6.16 – 52
Best players: Tent Pottinger, Michael DeGasperis, Cormac White, Tyler Mouritz.
Goals: Tyler Mouritz 4, Ashton McGowan 2, One each to Michael DeGasperis, Jarrod Brockbernd and Riley Graefling.
Next game: Bullcreek Leeming V’ Kalamunda Saturday, 23 May 03.05PM @ Beasley Reserve.
A tribute by Alex Haight a senior contributor and Life Member of The Kalamunda Cougars to this blog.
Congratulations to Giacomo Paduano who played his 100th game for the Kalamunda Cougars during this match. This was a crucial game for the league squad against the Brentwood Booragoon as indicated in the match report above.
Commonly known by ‘Mo’ by most, he arrived at the club in the shortened covid affected season in 2020. Mo is a smooth operator with elite skills on both feet and cool, calm and collected under pressure. This player wearing the lid stands out from the crowd, he is very smart with his ball use and brings grit, determination and razor-sharp focus, which is well respected by his peers.
Already a three-time premiership player at the young age of 24, yes that’s right three!
He was best and fairest winner in his first season in 2020, also earning his first flag in a thrilling 1-point Colts grand final victory against Willetton.
He made his league debut in 2021 playing 10 games and won back-to-back colt’s flags.
Last year he made it three flags with the Reserves grinding it out a gutsy win against Jandakot.
Well done, Mo, you’ve been a solid contributor across your first 99 games and already achieved so much. We are looking forward to what the future brings with another stellar performance!
Thank you to Don Benson photography and Contah photography
This post is dedicated to, ARC Laboratory Services, proud sponsors of the Kalamunda ‘Cougars’ Football Club.
ARC Laboratory Services is a highly specialised laboratory with extensive experience in the testing of aggregate, rock, concrete and petrology.