Round 17 North Fremantle V’s Kalamunda 04:50 PM, at Gil Fraser Reserve
This game was a tough physical encounter starting in sunlight and finishing in semi darkness due to the late starting time 04.50 PM.
During the last half of the game one of our spectators remarked there was more light coming from North’s scoreboard than their overhead ground lighting!
The Cougars knew this was a crucial match to win as they were languishing on the bottom of the ‘B’ grade ladder after their thrashing at the hands of Whitford in round 16 last week.
With this in mind they made a quick start in the first quarter, set up by Jackson Bowen with 2 goals, to finish 4.2 to North’s 1.1. This was achieved by playing open run-on football supported by strong defence led by Daniel Griffin and Bret van Groningen in foiling North’s attacks.
In the second quarter, inspired by their noisy supporters in the old heritage stand, North’s began to regain their composure and kick 2.3 for the term to the Cougars 2.2
At half time coach Trenberth would have pleased, as the Cougars had shown a great deal of endeavor during this term with fierce tackling that had frustrated and countered North’s forward moves.
During the third quarter the Cougars started to lose composure allowing North’s tall mobile players to gain ascendency in the mid-field. This put our backline under enormous pressure, however to their credit they kept North’s at bay forcing them to kick 1.5 for the quarter to our 1.2
Coach Trenberth made an impassioned plea to his players at three quarter time, to continue their concentration and not allow North’s to run over them in the last term. The cougars answered this with a quick goal from Leo lambert on resumption to put them 21 points in front. However, they began to play a defensive left flank to goal. This tactic has caused the Cougars a great deal of trouble in past games as it allows apposing tall players to camp themselves along the flank to break-up attacking moves.
North began to whittle down the Cougars lead throughout the rest of the quarter kicking 3.4 in a nail-biting finish, fortunately Josh Harris stepped up with a late goal for the Cougars to leave North’s 5 points in areas!
North Fremantle will need to re-evaluate games to be played at this time in the future. Their lighting system may be OK for normal weekly training however is completely inadequate for gazetted fixtures as spectators cannot identify their players on the far sides of their oval.
Final scores: Kalamunda 9.6 – 60, North Fremantle 7.13 – 55
Best players: the usual suspects
Goals: Josh Harris 3, Jackson Bowen 2, one each to Leo Lambert, Trent Pottinger, Ryan Newbold and someone in the dark!
Special mentions: Daniel Griffin – kept North’s star Mason Shaw to a single goal. Cormac White – battled in the ruck and around the ground, Leo lambert and Jackson Bowen – never stopped trying.
Other results from round 17
B Reserves – Kalamunda 3.3 – 21, North Fremantle 14.6 – 90
E1 All Stars – Kalamunda 11.11- 77, Scarborough 3.6 – 24
Cougar C2 Ladies – Kalamunda 7.13 – 55, Ellenbrook 2.0 – 12
BJC Colts – Kalamunda 9.11 – 65, North Fremantle 6.6 – 42
DBC Colts – Kalamunda 6.6 – 42, North Fremantle 8.12 – 60
Next game: Round 18, B grade – Kalamunda V’s Baldivis 03:05 PM, Sat, 12 August 23, at Ray Owen Reserve.
This round three star players reached milestones in their careers, see Alex Haight’s reports in ‘This Weeks Topic’
Next game: Round 18 Kalamunda V’s Baldivis 03:05 PM, Sat, 12 August 23, at Ray Owen Reserve.
This post is dedicated to, webextra proud sponsors of the Kalamunda ‘Cougars’ Football Club.
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