They worked wide out of defence and looked to launch some attack off the half back, which created space to run and enabled us to get some speed on the footy.
Jord Lavis took another positive step up in his improvement creating attack from defence, whilst Harvey White did the same.
Our mids were on top due to good ruck work from Adam Kent.
Tom Barker continued with his fine season, as did Kade Rowe.
Mitch Collins-Bye was a Colossus all over the ground with his massive frame. Be it back, forward or in the middle of the ground, he was never beaten and never moved in a contest.
With three goals, he was easily Toc’s best player on the day.
Again, we had lapses in the game to let multiple goals in.
Katandra kicked six goals and then another five in the second and third terms respectively.
By the final siren, Toc went down by 22 points - a much improved result against what is a top 5 team in Katandra.
Final score: Tocumwal 11.2 (68) def by Katandra 13.12 (90).
Best on: Mitch Collins-Bye, Kade Rowe, Harvey White, Adam Kent, Jordan Lavis, Luke Congram.
Goal kickers: Brock McCabe 3, Mitch Collins-Bye 3, Duane Haebich 2, Kade Rowe 1, Glenn Dominick 1, Drew Haebich 1.
Awards: 1st Incentive – Harvey White; 2nd Incentive – Adam Kent; 3rd Incentive – Ray Sutton.
Saturday was a must win game for the reserves after two successive losses, but it was not to be.
The boys were ready for the challenge and looking to bounce back.
The first quarter saw Tocumwal control at least 75 per cent of the ball in our forward half, but once again we couldn’t capitalise on opportunities in front of goal.
Katandra kicked a very late goal to take a small lead into quarter time.
In the contested second and third quarters, the boys continued to fight hard but couldn’t make any roads into the Katandra defence.
The last quarter saw a younger Katandra team kick away, with Tocumwal going down by 45 points.
Final score: Tocumwal 1.3 (9) def by Katandra 8.8 (56).
Will Grinter played his best game for the club at full back, along with Mr Consistent Drew Eddy.
Josh Booth also played his part down back providing plenty of run off half back.
The positive is that we have now played three of the top four teams in the last three weeks, and know what is required for us to go deep in finals.
We must get better at taking pride in our possession, minimising turn overs and making the most of our opportunities when they come.
Best on: Will Grinter, Drew Eddy, Josh Booth, Ed Thomson, Ken Chellew, Riley Colston.
Goal kickers: Scott Baldwin.
Awards: 1st Incentive – Will Grinter; Farmer’s Arms Pot and Parma – Ed Thomson; Foreshore Cafe – Josh Booth; Baldwin’s Farms Thursday night dinner – Drew Eddy.
The thirds had the hard task this week, coming up against the league leaders Katandra.
With a positive attitude that started at training, carried through the warm up and onto the ground, the boys hit the ground running and held Katandra to one goal in the first quarter.
Momentum stayed with the Bloods into the second quarter and the boys were only two goals down at half time.
They fought out the whole game - one of their best team efforts for the season.
Final score: Tocumwal 1.2 (8) def by Katandra 9.7 (61).
It was very hard this week to choose best players when the whole team contributed at different stages.
Best on: Josh Mossman, Blair Eddy, Liam Purtill, Ned Haebich, Pacey Haebich, Nate Grieves.
Goal Kicker: Nate Grieves.
Awards: Ed Thompson Award – Christian Demaio; P & L Palmer Excavations Award – Liam Purtill; Wingates $20 voucher – Charlie Locke.
The fourths had another good win on the footy field.
All the boys took to the field, with a couple helping out the opposition as well.
Our structure is starting to come together in time, and will hopefully lead to finals.
Every kid who has taken the field this year has improved from the coach’s point of view.
Final score: Tocumwal 14.19 (103) def Katandra 1.0 (6).
Best on: Liam Sutton, Cody Palmer, Logan White, Chace Brunskill, Cooper Quick.
Goal kickers: Liam Sutton 4, Cody Palmer 4, Logan White 2, Harrison Wilson 2, Cooper Quick, Declan Palmer.
Awards: Baldwin’s Farms Thursday night meal – Charlie Wilson; Donny Tainton $10 Canteen voucher – Oliver East; Paul Quick & Peter Absolom $10 award – Cody Palmer.
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