Catani rover Luke McFarlane battles to stay on his feet and change direction as he leads his Nyora opponent to the ball on the weekend. IT was a mixture of highs and lows for Catani Football Club in round one on Saturday.
After unfurling its two premiership flags, the seniors went down to Nyora in the grandfinal replay by 31 points on Saturday.
SENIORS
The Blues got off to a bad start after loosing the toss and failing to score for the quarter while Nyora kicked five.
The second quarter was the same when Nyora kicked an early goal into the wind and defended strongly by bottling up the Blues 50metre area and frustrating the forwards.
It took a couple of long bombs, outside 50, from Josh Tymensen to get things going with the Blues finishing up just 10 points down at halftime.
The third quarter started like the first with the Saints doing all the scoring and by the end of the term the Blues were more than eight goals down and needing a big final term if they were going to have any chance of getting up.
The final term saw Nyora once again put up a solid defence that did not allow the Blues to mount the come back they were hoping for. They did manage to score three goals to nil, but this was not enough.
Scores: Catani 8.9.57 d Nyora 13.10.88.
Best: Catani: Aaron Alger, Luke McFarlane, Ben Maroney and Chris MacLean.
RESERVES
In a good solid contest, the Blues got up, after kicking the winning goal with just seconds to spare.
It was an excellent final term that saw Catani, kicking with a solid breeze, boot four goals to nil in an exciting comefrombehind result.
The Blues reserve squad looks to have a bit more depth this season with a good mixture of youth and experience and has high hopes of a competitive season.
Scores: Catani 7.6.48 d Nyora 6.7.43.
Best: Catani: Alan Ruddell, Shane McFarlane, Gaven Pattison, Ryan Kitchin and Dion Meehl.
UNDER 17
The Blues have recruited well and got off to a good start to the season by downing Nyora by 64 points.
In windy conditions the boys set about their task well by running the ball around the ground.
The onballers played well, led by Daniel Kerrison, Leigh Jose, Phillip Strahan and Daniel Kitchin and the backline was solid all game with Kane and Blake Matthews, Jarrod Milner and Alex Campbell.
Up forward the players shared the ball around and Hugh Nicholson and Anderson Edwards gave great drive forward. The club thanked all that filled in and played for Nyora.
Scores: Catani 10.18.78 d Nyora 2.2.14.
UNDER 15
The Blues got off to an excellent start to the season with a big win over a very much undersized and undermanned Nyora.
It was a dominant performance all game with the young Blues having winners all over the park.
It was a ninegoal bestonground performance by Russell Lehman aided by David Marson with four goals.
Scores: Catani 22.21.153 d Nyora 0.0.0.
Best: Russell Lehman, David Marson, Vaughn Campbell, Luke Failla, Michael Ralph, Tom Hance.
UNDER 13
In a very even contest with both clubs having good numbers in their squads, the Blues won by 14 points.
Prior to the game 2005 coach, Sam Failla, unfurled last season’s premiership flag.
This season’s coach, Peter Grant said it was a great firstup effort with all the new players fitting in well and everyone getting a run.
Score: Catani 7.7.49 d Nyora 5.5.35
Best: Catani: James Canty, Tom Williams, Troy Lehman, Lachlan Grant, Elijah Wade and Jake Patterson.
This week Catani travels to NilmaDarnum.
