Melville V’s Kalamunda Round 18, 14 August, 2021
This round was supposed to be celebration of Curtis Jack’s 200th game, unfortunately this was not so as the Cougars lost by 42 points.
Coach Fare would have been very disappointed with this loss, because the last time these two teams met at Ray Owen in round 9, the difference was only 16 points in Melville’s favor.
Melville got off to a flying start in this game kicking 4.6 to the Cougars 1.1 by winning the ball at the center bounce down’s and moving the ball quickly into attack.
Our backline led by Jarrod Brockbernd was put under enormous pressure throughout the quarter. To their credit they repelled many Melville forward moves forcing them to kick points instead of majors in this term.
It appeared the wind was favoring Melville in first term and our supporters were looking forward to the Cougars having this advantage in the second, however Melville continued on their good form kicking 3.1 to our 1.4
Ben Bowness and Jackson Bowen tried very hard in this quarter to force the ball into our forward line to give ‘Jacko’ a chance to make this game a memorable one for his 200th. This was not to be as Melville ran the ball out of their backline easily, due to some very poor delivery to our forwards.
We thought that coach Fare would have provided some stern ‘encouragement’ to our players at half time, in view of their poor disposal by hand and foot during the half and the fact it was Jacko’s 200th.
We were left disappointed because Melville ran out and booted 6 goals to our 3 to finish the third quarter 42 points in front. As in the first half, our players failed to pick-up their opponents when the ball was in our forward line allowing Melville to run free and make life a misery for our backs.
In the last quarter spurred on by the team’s poor performance, Trent Potty and ‘Dutchie’ van Groningen lifted the Cougars with some inspirational play to win the quarter by kicking 3.6 to Melville’s 2.4. Unfortunately it was all too late!
Next week will see a repeat encounter between these two sides in the Qualifying Final, once again at Melville Reserve at 2.30 pm.
Final scores: Melville 15.12 – 102, Kalamunda 8.12 – 60.
Best players: Trent Pottinger, Jarrod Brockbernd, Ben Bowness, Brett van Groningen, Jackson Bowen.
Bruce Glovers ‘Play of the day’: Brett’s dash from the half-back line to slot one in the third quarter!
We have included this fine tribute to Curtis Jack made by Alex Haight and published in facebook:
This week is a special week. I’ve been at the club a long time and I can say that this is a first. Curtis Jack this weekend will run out for his 200th league game. This is an unbelievable achievement and cannot be undersold. To play at the league level for this long and be so consistent is a very rare feat.
He may be small in stature but without a doubt plays with the biggest heart every game and always gives maximum effort. Jacko is the heart and soul of the Kalamunda Cougars, is loved by all and will go down as one of the all time greats of the football club.
His resume of achievements is impressive with being inducted as a life member, multiple league premiership player, multiple state games, most courageous and also holds the record for the most yellow cards . Not to mention all his hard work over the years on the committee/bar manager.
I remember seeing him play one time when the oppositions biggest player thought he would go for a stroll down the wing and easily get by him. Not on Jacko’s watch. Absolutely nailed the tackle and yelled at the top of his lungs BAAAAAALLLLLLLLL!!!!!
I think that sums him up to a tee. Plays with great passion and no task is too difficult
Absolute legend of a bloke on and off the field. On behalf of the club Jacko well done on this amazing achievement.
Please share in the comments your favourite on field Jacko moment
Thanks again to Don Benson photography for the photo
This post is dedicated to PWR Personnel , proud sponsors of the Kalamunda Football Club.
1 Flinders Street Bayswater, WA 6053 (08) 9471 4900 http://pwr.net.au
