Round 10 Kalamunda V’s Hamersley Carine at Ray Owen Oval
The Cougars after beating league Cockburn lakes leaders last week would have been full of confidence to meet the Hawks in this encounter.
The clubs share a close rivalry after playing off in the 2022 C1 Grand Final where the Hawks were victorious with both teams being promoted to B grade as they finished top of their grade that season.
Both teams struggled in the higher grade and found themselves relegated to C1 again for this season. In their first encounter this season in round 1, the Hawks won at home at Beach Oval in a thriller by 2 points!
The Cougars, as mentioned in our round nine post, now have a settled side that’s playing well and were a firm favorite to win this match.
The first quarter as expected became a tight tussle with both sides struggling to gain any ascendency. The Cougars were slow to start with the Hawks kicking the first two goals of the match, however Jack Jago and Josh Harris steadied proceedings with goals to finish a tight hard checking term leading by 2 points.
The second quarter became similar to the first with the Cougars realising that Hammersley, despite being a couple of rungs below them on the ladder was not going to be an easy team to beat.
With the backline holding firm, the midfield through Max Fasolo and Trent Pottinger provided supply to Cooper Boyd, Josh Harris and Leo Lambert who goaled, enabling the Cougars to gain an advantage of 10 points at half time.
Coach Bolton may have spoken to his players at half time about some of the doubtful umpiring decisions the Cougars were having to cope with as frustration was beginning to influence the state of play.
From our position on the far boundary there seemed to be a lack of protection for the ball carrier as many players were driven into the turf face down, then penalised during the first half.
The third term resumed with both sides determined to gain the advantage with close checking play and many stoppages.
The Hawks seemed to have a distinct advantage with their taller players taking marks on the Cougars defensive flanks during the quarter, however Leo Lambert and Jackson Bowen who kicked three goals between them stepped up to maintain a 15-point lead at the break.
Jaden Wood Kicked a quick goal at the start of this quarter followed by another two from Jackson Bowen and despite plenty of pressure being put on our backs led by Ethan Faulds and Josh Touchell the Cougars prevailed and ran out winners by 28 points.
This game highlighted the fact the cougars have become a mature side and now represent a real threat to the top sides on the C1 ladder.
The club also needs to pay its electricity bill as this game finished in very gloomy conditions owing to a heavy cloud cover, ending in similar conditions to round 17 against North Fremantle last season, which started late at 4.50 PM and finished in semi-darkness!
Final scores: Kalamunda; 12.9 – 81, Hamersley Carine; 8.5 – 53
Best players: the usual suspects, including Cooper Boyd and Max Fasolo
Goals: Jackson Bowen 4, Josh Harris 3, Leo Lambert 2, one each to Jack Jago, Jayden Wood and Cooper Boyd.
Special Mention: Jack Amos against heavy opposition.
Thanks to Ian Eldred for the great photos. See This Weeks Topic for Alex Haight's tribute to Ethan Godden on 50 games.
Other games in round 10
C1 Reserves: Kalamunda; 12.10 – 82, Hamersley Carine; 1.5 – 11
IDC Colts: Kalamunda; 16.17 – 113, Hamersley Carine; 1.2 – 8
C1 Ladies: Kalamunda; 3.12 – 30, Wanneroo; 1.0 – 6
E2 Allstars: Kalamunda; won, North Beach; forfeit
Next C1 game: Round 11 Kalamunda V’s Thornlie, 03.05 Saturday 22 June at Thornlie Oval.
This post is dedicated to Oztrac Equipmennt, proud sponsors of the Kalamunda ‘Cougars’ Football Club.
