CATANI Football Club had one of its most memorable days last Saturday in winning its second successive senior and first junior premiership cups.
The Blues came into the senior grand final as underdogs, unchanged from the lineup defeated comfortably by Nyora in the second semifinal.
The game started, as it had a fortnight before, the Blues jumping to an early lead. Josh Tymensen was winning plenty of possessions around the ground and driving it forward with his customary long penetrating kicks. Catani held a quartertime lead of a couple of goals.
In the second term Nyora stormed back and took control, recording seven goals to one before a couple of late goals had the Blues trailing by just six points at halftime.
In the vital third quarter things did not start well for the Blues and Nyora put on three unanswered goals. This stretched the lead to four goals and the Saints seemed poised to run away, but that is where the game changed.
The neversaydie attitude of the Blues kicked in and players started to lift all around the ground. Catani put on the next five goals, including one 60metre bomb from coach Paul Alger, to lead at the last change. With coaches asking their players to give all in the last term, the men from Catani had most to give. Another five majors by the Blues, through Luke McFarlane and Hayden Smart, stretched their unanswered run to 10 goals and the game was over. Nyora scored a couple of late goals to reduce the final margin to 21 points.
Scores: Catani 17.13.115 d Nyora 14.10.94.
Best: Josh Tymensen, Paul Wiffin, Aaron Alger, Luke McFarlane, Owen Fitzpatrick, Michael Stockx, Hayden Smart.
UNDER 13
The young Blues created history for their club on Saturday by recording Catani’s first junior premiership. After impressive recent performances, the Blues were full of confidence that this was to be their year.
It was a nervous start by both teams, but the young Blues got to a small lead, which they held until halftime. In the third term Longwarry grabbed the lead and pulled out to an 11point margin at threequarter time by scoring three goals to one.
The Catani players gave their all in the final term, led by Cameron Hill and Luke Failla and the solid defence of Andrew Sabbatucci. The Blues scored the two goals required to get back in front. But Longwarry was not yet beaten and managed to score a point to tie the game.
The last minutes were packed with tension and supporters of both sides urged their teams on until, in the final seconds, Jeremy Monckton marked in the forward pocket. Then the siren sounded and his would be the kick to decide the game. Any score would win and, although it was touched on the line, his kick made it through to win the game and the premiership.
It was a complete change of fortunes as a Longwarry boy had kicked the winning goal against the Blues in last year’s grand final.
Scores: Catani 4.5.29 d Longwarry 4.4.28.
Best: Andrew Sabbatucci, Cameron Hill, Luke Failla, Jeremy Monckton, Kryton Knaap, Mitchell Edwards.
CLUB NOTES
The club presentation nights will be Thursday, 15 September for the under13 and under15 teams and Friday, 16 September for the seniors and under 17s. Cost will be $20 per adult, payable at the door, for the senior night, which includes dinner and entertainment. Formal dress is required.
