Round 18 Kalamunda V’s Baldivis at Ray Owen Reserve
This final round for the season, saw the Cougars desperate for another win, take on top side Baldivis hoping another win would help them avoid relegation to ‘C’ grade next season.
The Cougars got off to a quick start with Leo Lambert, Jackson Bowen and Josh Harris booting three goals. This looked very encouraging as the team overcame the height advantage of the Brumbies ruck with fast run-on play, only spoilt by inaccuracy with 5 points for the quarter.
The Brumbies must have received some ‘encouragement’ from their coach at quarter time as they had only kicked one point to this stage.
In the second quarter they began to demonstrate their skill and teamwork by kicking 3.4 to the Cougars 1.4.
The Cougars then began to make mistakes under pressure with poor disposal by hand and foot in this term, allowing the Brumbies tall players to take ascendency around the ground.
Bret van Groningen who had been outstanding on his flank continued his good form with Tiger Morris, Josh Harris and Trent Pottinger having their work cut-out trying to stop the Brumbies counter attacks.
These were the result of poor decisions made by team-mates who continued to kick the ball to the advantage of the Brumbies tall players.
At half time the Cougars led by 10 points and coach Trenberth would have been reasonably satisfied with his team’s performance urging them to retain their control and composure to avoid turnovers.
In the third term the Brumbies took complete charge by kicking 4.3 to the Cougars 1.1. This was achieved by moving the ball quickly from their ruck to their forwards.
Our backline under continuous pressure began to make mistakes by becoming one-dimensional and kicking the ball to the clubroom flank where it was quickly returned by the Brumbies taller players after marking.
With a slender lead of 4 points at three quarter time the Cougars would have resolved to throw everything at the Brumbies to achieve victory.
This hope would have been buoyed by Mitch Massam moving forward to kick 2 goals!
However, by this stage in the battle, the Cougars were beginning to feel the effects of taller more physical encounters and began to make mistakes in critical situations. These allowed the Brumbies to run into their open forward line to score and win by 11 points.
In spite of what the future holds, this season has been a steep learning curve for our younger players who have now experienced football at a higher level. They should now understand the commitment and the physical and mental requirements to play at this level.
Final scores: Kalamunda 8.13 – 61, Baldivis 11.8 – 74
Best players: The usual suspects
Goals: Josh Harris 2, Mitch Massam 2, Tyler Mouritz 2, Leo Lambert 1, Jackson Bowen 1
Special mentions: Cormac White, Ben Dupont, Rhys Cushing
Two great marks in this match, Trent’s great fingertip mark in the first quarter and Daniel Griffin’s superb one hander. Dash of the day goes to Leo Lambert who took the ball on the bounce at speed, had a bounce, ran around and drew away from an opponent and scored.
Gents. Throughout the season you have played some superb amateur football with some of your passages of play fit for the AFL. Thank You.
See also: ‘A Tribute to Kris Trenberth’ in This Weeks Topic.
Other results from round 18
B Reserves – Kalamunda 7.10 – 52, Baldivis 9.6 – 60
E1 All Stars – Kalamunda (pending)
Cougar C2 Ladies – Kalamunda 3.0 – 18, Roleystone 9.6 – 60
BJC Colts – Kalamunda 9.2 – 56, Curtin Uni. 11.6 – 72
DBC Colts – Kalamunda 10.10 – 70, Baldivis 1.3 – 9
Next games: see Play HQ for qualifying finals.
This post is dedicated to, Don Benson Photos, proud sponsor of the Kalamunda ‘Cougars’ Football Club who supplies amazing photos of our players in action.
Welcome to my Don Benson Photography profile. I operate from a home-based studio in Lesmurdie, Perth W.A. Please visit me on my Instagram - www.instagram.com/donbensonphotography for all my latest photos.