Round 11, Hamersley Carine V’s Kalamunda
The Cougars were involved in some serious soul searching after their defeat against Kwinana in round 10 resulting in them losing top spot on the PFL ladder. The Cougars appeared to be going through a mid-season slump at this stage of the season; however the loss made them more determined to succeed against their old enemy the Hammersley Carine ‘Hawks’, who they defeated in round 2 by 55 points. Hamersley Carine are currently sitting in 3rd spot on the ladder.
The first quarter in this match was played at a frenetic pace with both sides striving to gain any ascendency with their backlines holding firm.
Kaiden Pisani was the standout player for the Cougars in this term taking several outstanding marks and booting the first goal for the Cougars.
Kade McKeown and Jackson Bowen soon followed up with a goal each however the team seemed to lose some composure as the quarter progressed, and they gave away two 50 meter penalties enabling the Hawks to score a goal. The quarter ended with the Cougars in front by 2 points.
In the second term the Cougars dominated the quarter playing smart run-on football through the mid-field led by Reg Jones, to put the Hawks on the back foot and lose their composure, with one of their players given a red card by the umpire.
The Cougars went in at half time 26 points in front and looked as though they were in a position to run away with the match. However, as coach Bolton would have warned them, the Hawks would throw everything at them to recover the deficit to get back into the match.
This is what happened, as the Hawks took control of the ruck and streamed down the ground to kick 4 goals while the Cougars resorted to playing the clubroom flank and getting bottled up by their taller opposition.
Skipper Trent Pottinger who had been tagged for most of the game managed to break free and score the Cougars only goal for the term. The quarter finished with the Cougars holding what appeared to be a ‘slender’ lead of 10 points!
The last quarter became a desperate struggle with the Hawks getting the favor of the umpires to score from close range while Jackson Bowen and Dustin Brown saved the evening by scoring late in the term to win by 11points!
This became a hard physical game and highlighted the need for the Cougars to maintain complete concentration for four quarters to avoid desperate defense and avoid injury in the lead up to the end of the season.
Final scores: Hamersley Carine: 11.2 – 68, Kalamunda: 12.7 – 69
Best players: Reg Jones, Kaiden Pisani, Jack Amos, Jackson Bowen.
Coaches award: Forthcoming
Observers award: Kaiden Pisani and Reg Jones
Goals: Jackson Bowen 3, Kaiden Pisani 3, Tyler Mouritz 2, one each to: Kade McKeown, Dustin Brown, Utah John-Furnace, Trent Pottinger.
Special Mention: Max Fasolo and Jack Jago – heavy duty stuff!
Other final round games:
C1 Reserves: Hamersley Carine: 2.3 – 15, Kalamunda: 9.6 – 60
C5 League: Lynwood Ferndale: 15.11 – 101, Kalamunda: 3.2 – 20
C5 Reserves: Lynwood Ferndale: 4.4 – 28, Kalamunda: 8.5 – 53
Colts: Hamersley Carine: 1.0 – 6, Kalamunda: 18.14 – 122
Ladies: Bye
Next week’s game: Round 12, Gosnells V’s Kalamunda, 03:05 PM, Sat, 5 July at Gosnells Recreation Ground
This post is dedicated to, MACA Mining & Orica Mining Services, proud sponsors of the Kalamunda ‘Cougars’ Football Club.
