Round 17, 6 August, 2022 Thornlie V’s Kalamunda
In round 8, I made the point that although Thornlie were sitting in 8th position on the ladder having won only 3 games, they demonstrated they could be a handful for any of the top sides due to their physicality.
In this round, the stakes for Thornlie were higher as they were facing relegation as they were residing on the second-bottom rung of the ladder. Once again, they demonstrated they could be a handful!
The Cougars made six changes for this encounter as they are preparing for finals football and although they kicked 3 goals to the Lions 1.3 in the first quarter it looked like they were struggling to find good form.
In the second quarter the Cougars recovered their composure and kicked 6.3 to Thornlie’s 3.1 by carrying the ball deeper into their forward line. This tactic was not used in the first quarter and enabled the Thornlie backs to break-up our attacks and kick the ball back to the ‘dead-flank’, where wind conditions made scoring difficult.
At the half time break the Cougars must have forgotten anything coach Trenberth had advised them to do as they lost concentration and any semblance of team football was ignored. This lapse resulting in the team scoring only 3 points for the term, to the Lions 1.1 who played this quarter full of determination!
At three quarter time and considering the standard of football the Cougars were playing, I felt they could lose this match despite being in front by 25 points!
Coach Trenberth must have provided plenty of ‘encouragement’ at three quarter time as the Cougars recovered their composure and started to match the lions by kicking 4.3 (with a last-minute goal) to the Lions 3.2
As in round 8, this was a bruising encounter and we had our hearts in our mouths when Adam Brescacin was felled and had to leave the field. Later Ethan Faulds went down with what looked like a serious knee injury. Fortunately, both players are OK.
One aspect of the Cougars play that must be addressed immediately is; protection of the ball-carrier, as on too many occasions in this match players trying to dispose of the ball accurately, were brought down by their opponents who should have been ‘body blocked’ out of the contest!
Communication must also improve as there were times when we had two and three players contesting marks with no one in support on the ground.
It was pleasing to see Jackson Bowen return for this match, Jackson Ben Dupont and Tiger Morris were playing their 50th games, we congratulate them and may they have a long and successful future with our club!
Final scores: Thornlie: 8.7 – 55, Kalamunda: 13.9 – 87
Best players: The usual suspects
Goals: Trent Pottinger 3, Jackson Bowen 2, Scott Foley 2,
Most noteworthy: The two 50 gamers, Ben Bowness, Giacomo Paduano and Adam Brescacin
Play of the Day: First quarter, Trent to Josh Harris to Ryan to Adam in the forward pocket, beautiful leads and beautiful deliveries!
Inconspicuous Play of the Day: Also in the first quarter, Chris with a gentle palm of the ball around a confronting opponent to Scott who goaled.
Mark(s) of the Day: First quarter, Trent’s finger tipper in the pack and a nice goal. In the third, Ben Holman and Ben Dupont took great one-hander’s followed up in the fourth by Jackson Bowen.
Next weeks game: Saturday 13 August 2.45 PM, Kalamunda V’s Canning Vale at Ray Owen Oval.
This post is dedicated to Hallite Transeals, proud sponsor of the Kalamunda ‘Cougars’ Football Club.
1 Atlas Court, Welshpool WA 6106 (08) 6242 2000 http://hallite.com
