Lions playing-coach Chris Willis wrestles for possession at a stoppage.
Wahgunyah 6.7.43 def by Rutherglen 21.15.141
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Best
Rutherglen: Jyda House, Charlie Beattie, Dylan Van Berlo, Michael Cooper, James Tanner, Reed Bonat.
Wahgunyah: Xavier Walker, Chris Willis, Riley O’Kane, Angus Smith, Nathan Lau, Alex Lavis
Goals
Rutherglen: Michael Cooper 4, Jyda House 3, James Tanner 3, Dylan Van Berlo 3, Mathew Halton 2, Jarryd Hatton 2, Thomas Kilpatrick 2, Tyler Ferraro 1, Luke Knight 1.
Wahgunyah: Chris Willis 2, Ned Harvey 1, NachKusen 1, Kip-Antonio Reeve 1, Taj Smith 1.
What a great way to start the season with a Good Friday match against our rivals Wahgunyah. After a solid preseason, the Rutherglen Cats were eager to step up, believe in the process, and play strong structured football.
The Cats jumped the Lions early thanks to ‘Killer’ in the ruck who had a massive preseason and brought the ball to ground so that the newly formed mid field could go to work.
Rutherglen didn’t have things our own way after kicking the first 4 goals, some undisciplined actions resulting in the Lions scoring 2 goals to stay within touch.
Star Rutherglen recruit Dylan Van Berlo flies for a mark. Van Berlo kicked three goals.
The second quarter saw a bit of an arm wrestle around the ground but the Cats running game came to the forefront, giving the big men up forward plenty of opportunities.
After the main break the Cats showed their versatility with Scooter, the back line general, going forward, and changes through the mid field resulting in another 5 goals for the quarter.
The Lions, to their credit fought the game out but the younger Cats had a big pre-season and managed to kick another 3 goals in the last to ensure they finished the game with the four points.
Go Cats, Stick Together, Proud & Passionate, Season 2024!
Reserves
Cats 22-10-150 Def Wahgunyah 1-2-8
Best Players: Ian Kay, Jacob Meyer, Jaydon Baldwin, Sam Stefani, Caleb Andison.
Under 17s
Cats 24-20-164 Def Wahgunyah 0
Best Players: Laiton Hetherington, Ethan Gregor, Mitch Francis, Aidan Berriman, Lincoln Barnes, Flynn Verhulst.
Under 14s
Cats -4-10-34 Def Wahgunyah 3.6 24
Best Players: Dustin Fisher, Aaron Lewis-Carmichael, Jax Ramsey, Arthur Morris, Elijah McFarlane, Kaden Saunders.
Netball
A Grade- Rutherglen Cats began their 2024 season on Good Friday against Wahgunyah’s Lions on which was a thrilling and hot day of netball at Wahgunyah.
The Lions came out strong for the first quarter and left the Cats to have a slightly slow start leaving us 15 - 7 down at quarter time.
With a tight and tall opposition defence made it quite difficult for our attack to create space and hit a target.
With the weather being so hot gave it a great opportunity for our team to trial the rolling sub which worked very well with keeping fresh legs to be able to run out the whole quarter.
Kath played an excellent role and working excellent with Bylee and Matilda in defence, just being able to read the play and talk amongst themselves to get the turnovers.
With Wahgunyah getting that jump on us in the first half made it challenging for us to chase the lead down.
Although the final quarter was our strongest with having 11 goals scored.
Best on ground went to Kath second to Jess.
Final score 55 - 34.
B Grade
Round one against Wahgunyah, the girls came out hard playing goal to goal for the first 2 quarters.
Pia Taylor played an outstanding game with 8 turnovers in the last half.
The girls adapted well with one of our key defenders out (Lexie Shannon) while rotating positions throughout the game.
Between the heat and the girls running out of legs the girls were defeated by 5 goals.
Under 17s
A great first match against Wahgunyah on Good Friday, the girls ended up going down 50 - 19.
Despite the result, the girls had a great opportunity to put into practice the skills they have been working on during the off season.
There were lots of positives to take away from the game with the defence making some great interceptions at times to regain possession and we were able to create some great goal scoring opportunities.
The team still have a few things to work on with moving into space and looking more where we pass the ball to cut out some mistake.
Best went to Kara, with being her first time in goal and moving across from CDHBU. She was able to put everything together that we have been working on.
Well done.
Under 15s
Good Friday we travelled to Wahgunyah to take on the Lions. First game and nerves I think got to the girls which made for a bit of a sloppy game in the first half.
Also, an injury with one of our great defenders we had to go to another plan B and switch our team around. Second half was much more settled but unfortunately Wahgunyah were too strong and ran away with the win 33-4.
Our girls are now focused on what they have to do at training to prepare for our next game.
Awards went to Tayla Meyer, Holly O’Donoghue and Cadie Waite
Well done girls.
Under 13s
It was a tough game to start our season though our young Cats showed great determination as they faced tall strong opposition in the Lions.
The game was played in good spirits with the Cats having to work hard to find space and lead to front position. Lexie Wilson showed great versatility stepping into defence and then moving into goals to get the Cats on the scoreboard.
Zara, Taylor and Savannah all ran hard through the mid court with Savannah timing her leads well and driving into space. Our defensive line up had to work hard all day with Erica, Chelsea and Audrey, applying great pressure all game and getting their hands over the ball.
Harper, Flick and Lexie found the height the Lions defence a challenge as their arms seemed to be everywhere making it hard to find space though they kept working all game.
Plenty of things for us to continue to work on at training though some fantastic signs from players who never gave up.
Awards: Renshaw: Audrey Maloney The River Fish & Chip Co. Wahgunyah: Savannah Barnes, RFNC: Lexie Wilson
Under 12s
On Friday it was one of the first games the girls have each played together or even played they didn’t get a win but honestly couldn’t be more proud of the efforts they put in.
Each girl knew what they had to do and did an amazing job at it even picked up a few skills from the other team. There efforts and teamwork was incredible and so excited to see how they go next round
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