Round 11, Thornlie V’s Kalamunda at Thornlie Oval
This game promised to be a very close contest on Thornlie’s home ground with the ‘Lions’ just one spot behind the Cougars on the C1 ladder.
In round 2 at Ray Owen Oval Thornlie won the game by 2 points in a thriller.
Fundamental skill errors and loss of composure cost the Cougars that game, an aspect of the Cougars play that has improved under Coach Bolton.
This was borne out in the first quarter of the game, when the Cougars ‘jumped’ the Lions by kicking 5 goals quickly through Jackson Bowen and Cooper Boyd before their opposition replied with 3 goals against the breeze. The Cougars pace and tackling ferocity unsettled the lions game plan by placing their mid field under pressure restricting their scoring opportunities.
In the second term the Cougars shifted into top gear by winning the ruck with Jack Amos, Ben Hollman and Trent Pottinger combining to provide opportunities for the forwards who kicked 6 single goals between them as they ran amok! The Cougars pace and accurate disposal caused plenty of headaches for the Lions backs who began making skill errors. The quarter ended with the Cougars 35 points in front!
On the far boundary we expected the Lions would stage a revival in the third as they had played well against second top Swan Athletic the week before. This did not eventuate, and the Cougars rolled on to kick 5 goals to the Lions single goal.
Josh Harris who had been playing forward came into the center and with Jacob Whan, Declan Cowin and Leo Lambert keeping up the team’s momentum, kicking goals with Cooper Boyd who was having a ‘day-out’ kicking another.
The Lions coach must have implored his team to revive some semblance of club spirit. The Reserves team had been beaten by the Cougars to the tune of 89 points in the preceding game, so they tried desperately to save some face. However, this was not to be despite their efforts and the Cougars kicked another 2 goals by Jackson Bowen in a scrappy last quarter where the Lions could only manage 2 points.
Coach Bolton would have been happy as this was a four-quarter team effort full of concentration and commitment by the Cougars.
Final scores: Kalamunda: 18.13 – 121, Thornlie: 7.5 – 47
Ed. Once again, I was very disappointed with the standard of umpiring.
Best players: Team effort
Goals: Jackson Bowen 5, Leo Lambert 3, Cooper Boyd 3, one each to Max Fasolo, Joel Peters, Josh Harris, Michael De Gasperis, Declan Cowin, Trent Pottinger and Jacob Whan.
Other results from round 11
C1 Reserves: Kalamunda; 14.10 – 94, Thornlie; 0.5 – 5
IDC Colts: Kalamunda; 8.13 – 61, Thornlie; 4.0 – 24
C1 Ladies: Kalamunda; 4.10 – 34, Coolbellup; 3.3 – 21
E2 Allstars: Kalamunda; 7.1 – 43 Swan Athletic; 10.14 – 64
See This Weeks Topic – Elijah Lys 50 games
Next C1 game: Round 12, Kalamunda V’s Jandakot, 3.05PM Saturday 29 June 2024 at Ray Owen Reserve.
This post is dedicated to Knight Corp, proud sponsors of the Kalamunda ‘Cougars’ Football Club.
