Goals: Tungamah: B. Beaton 3, J. Irvine 2, Z. Scott 2, A. Saunders 2, D. Symes 1, M. O'Kane 1, N. Irvine 1.
Katandra: M. Black 3, J. Wardle 2, C. Hickford 1, L. Smith 1, B. Black 1.
Best: Katandra: J. Wardle, C. Calder, M. McGrath, M. Black, A. Smith, T. Jeffery.
Tungamah: M. O'Kane, J. Lawless, N. Connell, X. Stevenson, N. Irvine, J. Irvine.
Tungamah travelled to Katandra last Saturday and after a hard-fought contest came away with the 4 points.
The Kats were wearing a heritage jumper from the 1946-1954 period, with the 3 remaining living players from that team in attendance on the day. They were also chasing a spot in the top 4, while Tungamah were looking to retain top spot, so there was plenty on the line for both teams.
Katandra started well getting the first 2 goals on the board into a slight breeze.
The Bears looked flat and were getting beaten around the contest. They started to find their mojo around the 15-minute mark of the quarter and were able to grab a slender 4-point lead by the first change.
The second term was better from the Bears, they got the ascendancy through the centre of the ground and dropped a loose man off the contest in defence to stifle the Kats.
Tungamah kicked 3-goals to Katandra’s 1 for the quarter to lead by 15 at the long break. The third quarter is where the game was won, with the Bears taking total control.
They dominated across the field stretching the lead to 34 at the last change. Katandra showed some fight in the last quarter kicking 3-goals in quick succession, however when Jim Irvine slotted a long-range goal from 50 metres the game was over, Bears home by 29-points.
Matt O’Kane led the way, racking up plenty of touches through the midfield and across half forward. James Lawless slotted straight back into the team and was brilliant in the last line of defence.
Ned Connell hardly lost a one on one for the day, while Xavier Stevenson, Nick and Jim Irvine and Sam Ferguson all got touches and were the difference between the 2 teams.
Ben Beaton worked hard all day across half forward and finished with 3-goals to cap off a great performance. The boys can now take a couple of weeks off in preparation for the first final, as the Bears host Yarroweyah next week and they don’t have a senior side.
Awards: Ski Club - O Willis, Wingates - J Lawless, Yarra Pilates - N Connell, TFNC Meal - L Phillips, ClubMulwala - M O’Kane, Aerial - B Beaton.
Reserves
Katandra 4.1.25 defeated by Tungamah 12.10.82.
Another perfect weather game in front of another ladies day for the lunch time legends. Shane was sprightly early as he was hitting the trainers up for some cash for the privilege of working on the Ferrari. After watching Waity 2 weeks prior receiving plenty of tap outs from the vote dispenser, Terrance dropped the ‘hold my beer whilst I better that act’ and the Jones’ went about keeping it in the name. The Jones to Jones accounting for 95% of the centre clearances.
Goldy put on a textbook clinic of forward pressure with many forward 50 tackles. Sources are saying they have bought in the 45-tonne excavator to exhume the bodies.
Probably inspired by the commonwealth games (and a bit of a chin massage) the young Katandra kid broke his Pb in the powerlifting with a clean lift of 1 x T.
Lidgerwood with a body slam put down, not to be out done Tom proved he can body slam himself better than anyone in the 3rd quarter.
The Bozzola express train come out late stopping at no stations as it rattled straight past the ball and the 3 opponents.
If anyone has misplaced a treadmill see Justin as it was carelessly left on the far wing where he got stuck running on it for most of the game looking similar to a tortoise stampeding through molasses.
Nick Gamble had the opposite issue with his quick turn of foot powering through with a near Sam Draper goal of the year performance.
Awards: Celebrations - T. Jones, Wingates - J. Henderson, Aerial - J. Saunders, Tungamah Hotel - W. Sharp, Ski club - C. Jones, TFNC meal - J. O’Shea.
Thirds
Katandra 7.3.45 defeated by Tungamah 8.10.58.
The Bears took on the Kats in a top of the table clash which lived up to expectations. The Kats started strong and put 3-goals to 1 on the board by the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter was a real arm wrestle with both back lines holding strong and kept both sides goalless.
Sidey rallied the boys at half time and drove the message home that the Bears can do better. The third quarter was the best and the Bears kicked 5-goals and kept the Kats scoreless.
Everyone knew the Kats would come home hard and they certainly did throw everything at Tungamah but fell short by 13-points. Geoff Montgomery was clearly the Bears best player taking strong marks and driving the ball out of defence and into attack creating many scoring opportunities.
Beau Cummins dominated the ruck giving first use of the ball and having strong presence around the ground.
Lach Phillips had another great game kicking 5-goals and applied great offensive pressure.
Jaxon Raven, Harvey Thomson, Jackson Baker Xander Smith, Alec Williams and Mick Hughes all stood up and took the game on.
A great team effort by the Bears and sets the Bears up for a strong run into the finals.
Goals: Lach Phillips 5, Jack Costigan 1, Geoff Montgomery 1, Liam Williams 1.
Best: G. Montgomery, B. Cummins, J. Raven, A. Williams, L. Phillips, J. Baker.
Awards: Coaches - Geoff Montgomery, Beaton Family - Beau Cummins, Beaton Family - Jaxon Raven, Yarrawonga Bakery - Jackson Baker, Tungamah General Store - Xander Smith, McQualter/Whyte Family - Mick Hughes, Ricky D's Pizza - Lach Phillips, Yarra Fish & Chips - Lach Phillips.
Fourths
Katandra 0.0.0 defeated by Tungamah 15.12.102.
As the ground thawed out, so did the 4ths. Both ball and ground were slippery as they tried to put foot to ball.
The Tungamah forwards got around the talls that Katandra put on them to get their job done, whilst the midfield did well to feed the ball to them.
Understandably, their opposition moved forward to try and get a touch which brought the backline further forward.
Overall, it was a great team performance by everyone.
Goals: Jake Walker 9, Lenny Lonergan 2, Lucas Eales 2, T j Ussher 1, Archie Doyle 1.
Best: B. Grant, L. Lonergan, L. Eales, L. Wren, B. Doyle.
Awards: Cooper Wilson - Coaches Sock Award, Lach Wren - Crusty Loaf, Lenny Lonergan - Yarrawonga Fish n Chips, Jake Walker - Thirsty Lures, Braith Goudie - Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club, Brae Grant - Siti’s Award, Tungamah Store - Billy Doyle.
Fifths
Yes, it was cold. The ground was whiter than the lines. And the kids were frozen.
Another legendary warm up had the boys ready to run though a brick wall. The cubs started at a great pace kicking a few goals early with the late boys having a run for the Kats.
Tyler must have been into the coaches play book as he was in everything, a couple of high marks and a great goal. With a four goal lead a few of the A team was leant to the Kats with the challenge of putting some heat back on the Bears.
And did they do that kicking a few for the Kats leading Tungamah into the last with a narrow lead. Dommo stood tall and proved he will be a force of the future snagging a goal in heavy traffic.
Noah dodged and weaved and sent one through the big sticks with a great snap, celebrating wildly as the crowd roared as he continued his good form.
Big Tex was in and under all game, for one of the cubs he is showing plenty along with Travis whose movement of the ball up the wing and hitting targets lace out, the future looks bright for the Bears.
Ty was in everything and contributed all game, helping the boys slam on a few more in the last to set the scene for the rest of the day.
Awards: Yarra fish and chips - Noah L, Tunga Canteen – Dom, Crusty Loaf – Tyler, McDonalds - Tex and Ty, Tunga Shop - Travis.
14°C