Preliminary Final C1 grade Melville V’s Kalamunda 21/8/21 at Melville
After being comprehensively beaten by 42 points against Melville last week in round 18, the Cougars turned this around on Saturday to win the Preliminary final by 5 points in a thrilling encounter.
As Melville triumphed in round 18, they won the right to a home final to the dismay of our supporters, who faced another day of cold westerly winds that stream across Melville Reserve.
As it turned out it was the Cougars who ‘streamed’ down the ground to lead Melville by 26 points at half time. This was in complete contrast to the previous week when Melville led by 32 points at that time.
Coach Fare would have congratulated our players on their endeavor at the break, but warned them that Melville would ‘come at them’ in the third quarter. This happened with Melville kicking 4.4 to our 2.2 to get them back into the game.
Great efforts were made by our team leaders to hold Melville out.
Bret van Groningen, playing his 150th, Trent Pottinger and Josh Harris supported by Aaron Hutchinson enabled the cougars to lead at the end of the quarter by 12 points.
The last quarter turned out to be an ‘arm wrestle’ with both sides giving everything, Melville kicked an early goal in this quarter leaving us with our hearts in our mouths, however our backline held firm as Melville attacked repeatedly kicking another 1.3 to fall 5 points short when the final siren sounded.
We have been told there was much celebrating in the change rooms at the finish until Trent Pottinger brought everyone down to earth, indicating the real test was coming next week, to win against Baldivis who have been top of the ladder all season.
Final score: Kalamunda 10.7 – 67, Melville: 9.8 – 62
Best players: Pottinger, Harris, Hutchison, van Groningen, Bowen.
Next week: Colts and Reserves @ Melville, C1’s @ Baldivis.
Bruce Glovers ‘play of the day’- Too many to mention on an individual basis, this was a fine team effort!
(We are still looking for someone to write-up the Colts and Reserves games for next week)
We have included Alex Haigt’s fine tribute to Brett van Groningen for his 150th. and fully endorse it.
Congratulations to Brett van Groningen who will play his 150th league/club game this weekend.
Known by all as ‘Dutchy’ this explosive half back flanker and human highlight reel often makes the ridiculous look effortless and you can’t help but giggle on the side lines when he makes the opposition look foolish. He is great to watch in full flight and a great role model to all players with his leadership and professionalism on and off the field. Will go down in history as one of the greatest players to ever don the black and white for the Kalamunda Cougars.
His list of achievements is unbelievable with captaining the league side, winning multiple Terry Enright medals (league best and fairest), WA state representative and 2013 premiership player to name a few.
On behalf of the club Dutchy, thank you for what you have done over the years and hopefully there are many games to come in the future. All the best in game 150!
Thank you to club sponsor Don Benson for the photo.
This post is dedicated to Hills Gas Supply, proud sponsors of the Kalamunda Football Club.
130 Pomeroy Road, Lesmurdie WA 6076 Telephone: 9291 5551 www.hillsgas.com.au
