Round 1, Kalamunda V’s Kwinana at Ray Owen Oval
The Cougar reserves set the scene for this match with a thumping 92 point win over the Kwinana Knights making us wonder how strong their league side would be as they had been promoted to C1 level at the end of last season.
On running out in warm and windy conditions, the Knights league side looked tall and physical and full of confidence for their first foray into C1 competition and forced the Cougars new side to take time to settle into their game plan in the first quarter.
The cougars were winning the ball from the centre through the efforts of Reg Jones, Cristiano Paduano and Ben Holman who with accurate disposal allowed Kade McKeown, Ashton McGowan and Mitch Massam to score, while backs Josh Touchell and Ethan Olsen were working hard to restrict the Knights to a single goal.
In the second term the Cougars must have had trouble with the wind as they fell into their old habit of getting bottled up on the clubroom flank allowing the Knights with their taller and more physical players to take control and break out through the centre to kick 2 goals.
When the Cougars regained momentum by moving the ball into open space with accurate disposal, it allowed Ashton McGowan to break free and boot 2 goals to lead by 15 points at half time.
Coach Bolton would have stressed at the break, the need to keep the ball in open space to allow the Cougars speedsters to take control as it was becoming apparent the Knights were not as fit as the Cougars and their big men were beginning to tire in the conditions.
In the third quarter the Cougars started to gain ascendency with an excellent passage of play to Dustin Brown who set the scene for the term with a quick goal. Strong defensive play saw the ball moved with accurate passing to Ben Holman who was making his presence felt in the forward area by kicking 2 goals.
A feature of this game was the defensive attitude of the Cougar small forwards in keeping the ball in their zone allowing scoring opportunities. In the last quarter it was evident the fitness of the Cougars was going to win the game as they took complete control booting 5 goals to the Knights single goal.
Ashton McGowan finished a great game by booting another 2 goals to add to his tally of 5 and Kade McKeown and Ben Holman with one each.
Max Fasolo, in finished off a great game, intercepted a defensive Knights kick out and after threading his way through their defence, kicked a superb goal to finish the match off!
This was a tough encounter and a great start to the season by a new Cougars team.
Final scores: Kalamunda; 13.8 – 86, Kwinana: 5.5 – 35
Best players: Reginald Jones, Ashton McGowen, Ben Holman
Observers award: Max Fasolo
Goals: Ashton McGowan 5, Ben Holman 3, 1 each to Kade McKeown
Special Mention: Jack Amos, against tough opposition
Other final round games:
C1 Reserves: Kalamunda 13.15 – 93, Kwinana, 0.1 – 0.1
C5 League: Wanneroo 15.9 – 99, Kalamunda 5.2 – 32
C5 Reserves: Kalamunda 9.20 – 74, Wanneroo 3.1 – 19
IDC Colts: Kalamunda 12.11 – 83, Kwinana 1.2 – 8
Ladies: Kwinana 4.3 – 27, Kalamunda 2.3 – 15
See the Alex Haight Report in This Weeks Topic (Menu section) More Club Highlights ...
Next C1 game: Kalamunda V’s Hamersley Carine 03:05 PM, Sat, 12 April, 2025 Ray Owen Reserve.
This post is dedicated to Meneghello Group proud sponsors of the Kalamunda ‘Cougars’ Football Club.
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