Round 8, 28 May 2022 (C1) Kalamunda V’s Thornlie
The prevailing wind at Ray Owen had a large bearing on the outcome of this match which turned into a struggle for the Cougars. Despite this they prevailed against some tough opposition and finished up winning by 29 points.
Thornlie were sitting in 8th position on the ladder having won only 3 games, however they demonstrated they could be a handful for any of the top sides due to their physicality.
In the first quarter with the wind the Cougars played their ‘run and carry’ game for most of the quarter to kick 4.3 while Thornlie could only manage 2 points.
The Cougars should have made more of their opportunities in this quarter as many of their passes to team-mates in the forward line were half volleys and ‘worm burners’ making the ball difficult to pick up due to the close attention of Thornlie backs.
The second quarter with the wind saw Thornlie kick 3 straight goals to the Cougars 1.1
Great defensive work led by Josh Touchell and or backs, forced Thornlie to defend on the eastern side ‘dead’ flank, making scoring difficult and where they continued to kick the ball out of bounds on the full due to the wind.
In the third quarter the ‘usual suspects’ took complete charge of the game with J.H. and B,van G. outstanding, leading the team to kick 5.1 for the term, to Thornlie’s single point.
Coach Trenberth would have stressed at the break, the team needed to keep the pressure on their opponents and strive hard against the wind to finish them off.
This did not happen and it appeared the Cougars had put the ‘Cue in the Rack’ by being in front by 44 points! This allowed Thornlie who started full of determination, to dominate the quarter by kicking 4.4 to the Cougars 2.1
There will not be a game next weekend, as it’s a long weekend incorporating the Western Australia Day holiday. This should give the cougars a chance to recharge and reflect on their next game V’s Canning Vale who are presently sitting on top of the ladder.
Final scores: Kalamunda: 12.6 – 78, Thornlie: 7.7 – 49
Best players: the ‘Usual Suspects’
Most noteworthy: Vlas Kailis, Josh Touchell, Jarrod Brockbernd
Bruce Glover’s plays of the day: Bret Van Groningen’s scything attacks on the Thornlie forward line!
Mark of the Day: Second quarter, Blair Southcott; when the ball was coming down almost vertically away from his body, Blair stuck out his hands and “clamped it”, amazing timing.
Dash of the Day: Brett van Groningen. Commencing a ‘dash’, he was confronted by an opponent so Brett hand balled the ball over him, ran around him, gathered the ball and continued his usual “relaxed subsonic speed” down the ground to deliver the ball to the forward line.
There were a number of great team passages, one involved about 7 players taking the ball from centre halfback to full forward with great precision and positioning- a joy to watch.
Goals of the day: Harris 3, Bowen 2, Brockbernd 2.
Points to ponder: Umpires having expanded rules to influence the outcome of football matches with 50 meter penalties.
Next Saturday week: round 9, Canning Vale V’s Kalamunda, 2.45PM 11 June,2022
This post is dedicated to RetraVision Cannington, proud sponsors of the Kalamunda ‘Cougars’ football Club
1490 Albany Highway Cannington, WA 6107 Telephone: (08) 6254 0333