GAVIN LOWE – LFCNL – Junior Football
SATURDAY morning at the home of sport in Casterton saw the opening round of Limestone Coast Football Netball to kick-start the 150th year for the club.
With some mixed results and a cool breeze, the club faired very well.
Even our teams that did not win on the scoreboard really did win some brownie points for their efforts.
UNDER 14.5
THE Under 14.5 group could see from the outset their backs were against the wall, but it did not deter their effort or enthusiasm.
From the first centre clearance West was straight into attack, yet the Cats’ backline stood firm under immense pressure.
It was not until the start of the second quarter the Cats really had a scoring chance and they made the most of their opportunity and posted a major.
Darcy Gorman at fullback was doing a stellar job against a much bigger opponent, continually spoiling and clearing the ball from the danger end and his work on kick-ins was very intelligent, where he ran his full distance and a long kick out of the danger zone saved the Cats time and time again.
The backs combined quite well; Aston Hoe was great support on the last line while around the centre, Fletcher McKinnon was in everything and did not stop until the final siren.
He got great support from Kumasi Malanga, who is grasping the game that does not come naturally to him but is making a huge contribution to the team.
Up and down the flanks, Owen Mason and Henry Childs made valuable contributions in a tough game.
A good hit-out for the group – they will be better for it and the coaching staff would be quite satisfied with what the boys showed.
UNDER 17.5
THIS team has recruited well and especially the three great young blokes from Hamilton who have joined our ranks.
We are super excited about what you can contribute to the team; good on your parents for looking outside the square to give your kids an opportunity at a very appreciative club.
To Jensen Moore – what a great young player from Heywood filling in for us today, never let a chance get by him, hard nose at the ball and very skilled young footballer; thanks mum and dad for making it possible.
After a solid pre-season, three of our Under 17.5 regulars got the call up for Senior selection for this game, so it left a bit of a hole on our team sheet but saying that, Ollie, Jedd and Archie did not look out of place in the senior team.
Well done boys.
The Cats’ backmen starved West of opportunities in the first, only allowing four points, but could not hit the board themselves.
Sam Paton in the ruck was really having a crack getting some good tap outs, really handing the ball to Jenson on a platter and he was good enough to make good use of it, scoring our first goal early in the second term to give us a narrow lead.
Reagan Parsons and Nate Longhurst in the backline stood firm all day, turning West away time and time again, while Jack Nelson was a tower of strength using his height to advantage.
West was keeping its nose in front but the Cats were not out of this contest, as our leaders were standing up.
Billy Rhook swooped on a loose ball at halfback and as per usual, hit his mark by foot and it could not have been in better hands – Jensen Moore – who did not let his teammates down, slotting through a six-pointer.
West built up a bit of a buffer margin but not out of our reach, however goals were hard to come by.
Our younger brigade of Henry Robins, Toby Auld, Rupert Dorahy, Jett Lykke and Billy Rhook, all made positive contributions but in the end West had the answers and ran out winners by 22 points.
A couple of exciting games to open the season, with a huge crowd gathered early to have a look at our up-and-coming champions.
Sorry I did not get to see the Under 12s to do a report, but my on-ground reporter Fraser Richardson assured me they played very well, but they fell just short in the end.
