Round 6 Kalamunda V’s Bullcreek Leeming at Ray Owen Oval
The Cougars would have been anxious about winning this round against Bullcreek to retain a position in the top four on the ‘B’ grade ladder.
Although sitting in 7th position on the ladder, the Bombers position was not an indication of their strength, having lost to 2nd side Wembley by a point and 20 points to top side Baldivis.
They demonstrated how much of a threat they would be by kicking 4.2 in the first quarter before the Cougars could rally with 2.1
The Cougars were completely overwhelmed in the ruck, with new recruit Cormac White battling the Bombers ruck-man Cameron Symonds, who was twice his size and strength. White went on to score 4 goals and was the Bombers best player.
The center dominance by the Bombers resulted in the Cougars backline being placed under siege, with Jarrod Brockbernd Mitch Massam and Ben Dupont desperately trying to restore order.
The second quarter developed into a stalemate with the Cougars wresting back some control, however they spoilt many of their opportunities by blazing away at goal with pot-shots kicking 2.6 to the Bombers 1.1
This quarter also saw a great deal of pack-play leading to constant stoppages and some very ugly football.
The Cougars need to rethink their strategy when playing against physically strong sides, by developing effective ‘body-blocking’ techniques to protect the ball carrier. On too many occasions in this match our ‘speedsters’ were unable to be effective because there was a lack of shepherding by teammates.
Body blocking and effective communication, ensures the ball carrier has the time to steady, select and deliver accurately.
By the sound of coach Trenberth’s voice at the end of the game he must have provided plenty of ‘encouragement’ at the half time break, as the Cougars by lifting their rating led the bombers by 5 points at three quarter time.
This lead could have been greater however the Cougars disposal in this term left a lot to be desired, due to the constant pressure applied by Bullcreek. Our backline who are usually steady with their disposal when coming out of defence, made some uncharacteristic errors placing them under greater stress!
This may be due to players in the mid-field failing to offer short and long leads into open space, providing options for defenders to target or switch play to advantage.
The final term looked very encouraging for the Cougars as they kicked 2 goals in the first 15 minutes. This could have been more, due to some wayward kicking in front of goals, (no names mentioned).
The Bombers then took advantage of some wayward disposal by the Cougars to drive the ball into their forward line where Cormac White marked and kicked two of his four goals to reduce the Cougars lead to 5 points!
Desperate measures were then undertaken by the Cougars as time was running out and it did, and once again the Cougars scraped in!
Final scores: Kalamunda 9.8 – 62, Bullcreek/Leeming 9.3 – 57
Best players: Trent Pottenger, Callum McKinlay, Joel Peters, Jackson Bowen
Special Mentions: Cormac White – never gave up!
Goals: Kyle Murray 2, Jackson Bowen 2, Leo Lambert 1, Jack Jago 1, Joel Peters 1, Zak Meloncelli 1, Trent Pottinger 1.
Other results from round 6
B Reserves – Kalamunda 12.5 – 77, Bullcreek Leeming 5.6 – 36
E1 All Stars – Kenwick 7.11 – 53, Kalamunda 5.4 – 34
Cougar Ladies – University 4.6 -30, Kalamunda 2.2 – 14
BJC Colts – North Beach 13.17 – 95, Kalamunda 3.1 – 19
DBC Colts – Kalamunda 11.13 – 79, Bullcreek/Leming 1.1 – 7
Next B grade game: Round 7 Whitford V’s – Kalamunda – 03:05 PM, Sat, 27 May 23 at MacDonald Reserve
This post is dedicated to Knight Corp and the Lesmurdie Club, proud sponsors of the Kalamunda ‘Cougars’ Football Club.
