Cats defeated after second half slide

On a perfect autumn day, the Rutherglen Cats faced off against strong Thurgoona outfit in Round 2 of the Tallangatta and District Football League.

The Rutherglen Cats endured a challenging afternoon at Thurgoona’s home ground, as the hosts proved too strong in the second half, securing a comfortable victory.

In a tightly contested first half, the standouts for the Cats were Charlie Beattie and Brendan Morris, whose courageous play and skillful ball use across half-back were key highlights.

Both defenders showed composure under pressure, regularly intercepting and distributing the ball with precision, helping to keep their side in the contest.

The match was finely poised at half time, with Thurgoona two points ahead.

But Thurgoona came out after the break with renewed intensity and put the Cats under immense pressure.

Rutherglen's injury woes mounted throughout the match, leaving the team without any rotations to draw upon following the main break.

This physical toll was evident, with players pushed to their limits in the final half.

In addition to their injury struggles, Rutherglen's fundamentals, kicking, marking, and handballing were well off the mark, allowing Thurgoona to capitalise on turnovers and score heavily.

The Cats’ inability to control the ball and execute basic skills left the door wide open for Thurgoona to dominate the second half of the contest, with several easy goals coming directly from turnovers.

Despite the disappointing result, Rutherglen will look to regroup under the leadership of their senior coaches and focus on improving in the areas noted above prior to the Round 3 clash at Barkly Park against Wahgunyah on Good Friday.

Reserves

Cats 13 4 82 def Thurgoona 9 9 63

Another great start by the Cats young side in the first quarter against an experienced Thurgoona.

The Cats were full of run and crisp ball use, FF Jake Meyer was loving the delivery. Kicking 3.1 to 1.4 the Cats took a 9-point lead at quarter time.

The second and third quarters were where the Cats opened up the game with their run and spread, led by Hayden Weller in the ruck and Rory Beattie on the wing.

Cats were up 11.2 to 4.9 at third-quarter time.

Meyer kicked a goal 10 seconds into the last quarter to go up by 41 points but then Thurgoona came home hard, kicking five goals in 15 minutes to get within 13 points.

Then James Plummer made a great interception 20 out from goal, ran into the open goal to seal the game for the Cats.

This is the second 18’s first win over Thurgoona at the Kennel in many years. Well done to Jake Meyer bagging nine goals for the match.

Award Winners: Poachers Paradise Hotel – Jake Meyer, Howlong Shearing Services – Rory Beattie, Baker Seed Co – Hayden Weller, Rutherglen Pizza – Lochie Webb, Corowa Sportspower – Archer Colvin.

Under 17s

Cats 12 14 86 def Thurgoona 4 2 26

The boys took control of the game from the outset. Aside from a brief lapse in the third quarter—where Thurgoona managed to wrestle back some momentum and slot two goals to our four points—the young Cats dominated play throughout.

The under 17s side came out blazing in the final quarter, kicking four goals and five behinds, while holding Thurgoona to just a single point.

Full credit to the defence, who stuck to the process and came out on top. Every defender contributed, including the younger players rotated through the back pocket.

The midfielders held strong and ran hard for most of the game, while the forwards consistently applied pressure and dominated up front.

Only some wayward kicking prevented the Cats team from blowing the score out even further.

It was a fantastic all-round team effort. Great to see Daniel Ryland back in the lineup and making an impact.

If the boys continue to stick to the game plan, as they did this week, expect more impressive wins ahead.

Congratulations to Aidan Berriman on his 50th club game this week.

Goal Kickers: Harry Chandler (3), Aidan Berriman (3), Daniel Ryland (2), Flynn Verhulst (1), Noah McSweeney (1), Oliver Nash-Webster (1), Mitch Francis (1)

Award Winners:

Rutherglen Pizza – Dustin Fisher, Silver Key Café – Mitch Francis, Corowa Sportspower – Harry Chandler, Coaches Award – Baylee Morton, Coaches Award – Sonny Enever-Cooper.

Under 14s

Cats 2 4 16 def by Thurgoona 4 8 32

The young Cats travelled to Thurgoona this week for their second game of the season.

With a couple of players out, three Under 12s stepped up to lend a hand.

Thurgoona held the Cats scoreless in the first quarter, but our Cats swung the momentum back our way in the second quarter.

Led by some great defensive pressure from Zavier Manns, the backline shut down Thurgoona’s scoring opportunities.

The forwards linked up together which saw Ben Pagan Saunders set up Nash Eloy for the Cats’ first goal.

The third quarter was a tough contest for our midfield. Seve Cottam and Noah Cracknell tried hard to get the ball going the Cats’ way.

Ruckman Brayden McInnes kept driving the ball forward and got the Cats their only goal for the quarter while the opposition added three.

The last quarter turned back into a tight tussle between both sides, Elijah McFarlane was solid down back stopping many forward entries from Thurgoona.

The Cats forward line tried everything to level the scores but could only add a couple of minors.

In the end the Cats went down by 16 points. The next game will be on Good Friday against Wahgunyah at Rutherglen.

Let’s get down to Barkly Park early and cheer on the young Cats to hopefully get their first win.

Award Winners: Rutherglen Pizza – Zavier Manns, Silver Key Café – Eli McFarlane. Corowa Sportspower – Nash Eloy, Chandler Cash – Seve Cottam, Coaches Award – Brayden McInnes.

Under 12s

Cats 1 2 8 def by Thurgoona 2 4 16

This week the young Cats travelled to Thurgoona to play last year’s grand finalists; Thurgoona came out on fire, kicking the first two goals of the game.

However, the young Cats fought back, outscoring the Bulldogs for the next three quarters only just falling short in a low scoring game.

Award Winners: McFarlane Family – Mike Reid, Silver Key Café – James Nicholson, Rutherglen Lolly Shop – Blair Prescott, Danny Johnson Most Courageous – Tilly Brown, The River Fish & Chips – Patrick Colman, J & M Steel Erection – Jensen McInnes, North East Marine – Sammy Lewis.

Netball

A Grade

Cats 20 def by Thurgoona 60

Goal Scorers: Jess Ryan 11; Tahni Evans 9

Best On Court (Club) - Bronwyn McCormack, Victoria Hotel - Tahni Evans, Boorhaman Hotel - Kealy House, Corowa Sportspower - Georgia Reid.

B Grade

Cats 18 def by Thurgoona 51

Goal Scorers: Melissa Pinn 13; Tenaya McGill 3; Kara Renshaw 2

Was a great game by all against the reigning premiers from last year, who the Cats managed to control and didn’t let them run all over them.

The game looked much better than the scores showed, and the girls ran hard all day right to the end.

Award Winners:Best On Court (Club) – Emily Gillard, Victoria Hotel – Kara Renshaw, Corowa Sportspower – Pia Taylor.

C Grade

Cats 18 def by Thurgoona 74

Goal Scorers: Abbie Hetherington 15; Georgie Upton 2; Chelsie McLeod 1

Award Winners: Best On Court (Club) - Charlotte Meyer, Victoria Hotel - Abbey Hetherington, Movere Pilates - Sophie Anderson, Corowa Sportspower - Olivia Plummer.

17 & Under

Cats 18 def by Thurgoona 61

Goal Scorers: Millie Morris 11; Unknown 7

15 & Under

Cats 16 def by Thurgoona 26

Goal Scorers: Shylah Pinn 3; Unknown 13

13 & Under

Cats 9 def by Thurgoona 25

Goal Scorers: Freya Kay 7; Audrey Maloney 1; Isla Verhulst 1

12 & Under

Cats 2 drew with Thurgoona 2

Our little Cats played absolutely amazing and put their whole entire heart into the game. Coach Abbie couldn’t be any prouder of how far the girls have progressed already.

The girls’ defence managed to keep the score down, and attacking and mid-court worked beautifully to get it down to their end.

They should be proud of the effort they all put into the game.

Award Winners: The Wax Trade – Lucie Field, Daisy Cow – Nikaela McInnes, McFarlane Family – Poppy Williams.