The weather on Sunday started cold and wet as the Felines prepared to host the Thurgoona Bulldogs. However, as the day progressed, the rain ceased, the clouds lifted and the sun-bathed Barkly Park in glorious golden sunshine to match the brand of Felines football.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
Under 14
The young Felines had a great game against the Thurgoona Bulldogs.
Both teams were evenly matched and the improvement in both teams from the start of the season was evident to everyone.
Lexi Nagle was solid in full back and her booming kicks from full back was a highlight of the match.
In the centre, Abbey Ibrahim tried hard all match as did Ashlyn Willett. Maya Gatford and Marlie Smith underlined their improvement from the start of the season. Marlie Smith capping off a great team goal when the Felines were able to run the ball the length of the ground for their goal.
The endeavour from everyone in the team was fantastic.
The final score did not do credit to the Felines team who were able to move the ball and link up throughout the game.
Thurgoona 6.8-44 defeated Felines 1.1-7
Goal: Marlie Smith.
Best: Abbey Ibrahim, Alexia Nagle, Marlie Smith, Ashlyn Willett, Maya Gatford, Montanna Morey.
Under 17
This match didn’t go off the script of the Felines coach. Thurgoona won the first ruck tap, and with some deft ball movement and solid marking, they were able to register the first goal for the match all within the first 2 minutes.
The shell-shocked Felines slowly got their game going. With better concentration and endeavour, they then proceeded to dominate forward possession and wrested back the lead.
In the centre, Ava Loughnan and Maddie Ibrahim vied for the player of the match with some great running and evasive skills on the flanks.
Emily Cooper was also keen to prove her finesse around the wings and forward flank. Up forward, Georgia Thomas provided a solid target as well snagging a goal after the siren in the second quarter. Latoya Holdsworth was dynamic across the forward flank with some great running and drive.
The back line held firm for the entire day, led by the smiling assassin of Josephine Muscat at centre half back and ably supported by Sophie Kelly and Issy Bush. The highlights being some solid contested pack marks by both Issy and Sophie.
What was pleasing to the coaching staff was the evenness of the contribution from all the players.
Coach Brad Nicholson praised the Under 17’s teamwork.
“Our good players had another excellent day out; however, I was particularly impressed with the improvement and endeavour of all the team. Everyone had a role within the team, and I couldn’t have asked for more. We now have one more home and away match, so with some good training we can set ourselves to have a great final series campaign.”
Felines 5.9-39 Defeated Thurgoona Bulldogs 1.1-7
Goals: Georgia Thomas 2, Latoya Holdsworth 2, Angelina Bigger.
Best: Madison Ibrahim, Josephine Muscat, Ava Loughnan, Latoya Holdsworth, Ali Jackson, Mia Spiteri.
Open
In a copy of the Under 17 match, it was the Thurgoona Bulldogs who left the starting stalls running and in no time had kicked the first goal and looked set to dominate the match.
However, the Open Felines bolstered by some Under 17 teammates, increased their intensity around the contest and slowly yielded the game onto their terms.
Upfront, Georgia Thomas played an even better game than her outing in the under 17s with some strong marking and excellent goal nous.
Kaitlyn Robinson once again put in her trademark solid game at centre half back and was responsible for clearing many of Thurgoona’s forward entries. She was, ably supported by Kaitlin Muscat, played a traditional swooping role and cleaning up and clearing the ball constantly through the match.
The centre line players were able to match the contest with Thurgoona and come out on top. Mietta Habets had a great day in the ruck, Claire Megarrity contested everything, and Sinead Lang constantly surprised her opponents with her attack on the ball.
At centre half forward, Caitlin Somerville provided a target and contest across the half forward flank. The Felines were able to achieve deeper entries into their forward fifty due to the intense pressure across the half forward line. In contrast, the Bulldogs had many times when they were off at the gallops and their ball movement down the wings was terrific to watch. However, with the Felines back line on top, the Felines were able to always quickly rebound the ball meaning that the Bulldogs were starved of sustained chances in front of goals.
One highlight of the match amongst many, was the diminutive Yasmine Budic going up in a ruck contest (her first in her football career) and winning the tap.
Similar to the Under 17 team, the contribution from everyone in the team was outstanding and allowed the Felines to claw their way to a well-deserved victory.
This was a highly entertaining match, and the final score did not indicate the evenness of both teams or the ebb and flow of the contest and ball movement.
The Open team now has a bye in the final home and away round before they take their place in the finals to start in the first week of August.
Felines 6.7-43 def Thurgoona Bulldogs 1.3-9
Goals: Georgia Thomas 4, Ava Loughnan, Caitlin Somerville.
Best: Mietta Habets, Kaitlyn Robinson, Jane McInnes, Sinead Lang, Caitlin Somerville, Georgia Thomas.
news