Mathoura's day of celebration soured by Swans

By Josh Huntly

May 14, 2023

On the boot: Mathoura's Lachlan Carmody gets his kick away. Photos: Steve Huntley Photo by Steve Huntley

An old-fashioned bake wasn’t enough to will Mathoura over the line against Katunga in round seven of the PDFL as the club celebrated its 1973 and 1993 premiership reunions.

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The Timbercutters were defeated by 89 points after the Swans slammed on seven unanswered goals in the first quarter, prompting a stern word from coach Tim McCormick at the first break.

“It was probably a bake going back to the ’80s, I reckon,” McCormick said.

“I was frustrated. After having a really good win the week before, we should have been up and about and ready to go.

“I think some of the guys went out there with the attitude that it is just going to happen instead of applying ourselves right from the first bounce.

“I think they needed a bit of a reality check.”

Gallant in defeat: Jacob Simpson was one of Mathoura’s best against Katunga. Photo by Steve Huntley

McCormick got the response he was seeking, with the Timbercutters finding four goals to Katunga’s two in the second quarter.

But two behinds to the Swans’ four goals inflated the margin to 60 points at the last change, putting the game to bed.

The one-two punch of Fergus Lappin and Dan Campbell proved decisive with the Swans’ key forwards both booting eight goals, accounting for 16 out of Katunga’s final score of 20.15 (135) to Mathoura’s 6.10 (46).

“We got a lesson on work rate yesterday against a side travelling pretty well,” McCormick said.

“Our contest around the footy we did really well, then they just outworked us.

“We were getting caught across half-forward and turning the ball over there, so we shot ourselves in the foot.”

Strong mark: Mathoura's Aron Burns leaps into the air. Photo by Steve Huntley

Izaac Johnson and Aron Burns led the way with two goals each, while Jacob Simpson earned praise from McCormick alongside Johnson despite the loss.

Spencer Small and Ethan Hodgkin were also influential for Katunga, who now sits seventh on the PDFL ladder.

The Timbercutters now find themselves two games adrift of the top eight, with a difficult assignment against second-placed Katandra to come this week.

Premiership heroes awarded life memberships

Reunited: Ken Smith (left), who played for Mathoura in the 1976 grand final, is pictured with 1973 premiership players Russell Maloney, Kerry Podmore, Graham Allitt, Ian Johnson and Phill McCann. Photo: Steve Huntley Photo by Steve Huntley

While the scoreboard wasn’t in Mathoura’s favour on the field, celebrations off it were in full swing as the club celebrated the 50 and 30-year anniversaries of the 1973 and 1993 flags.

Tales of the famous victories were shared once again, and the celebrations were highlighted by the three life membership recipients in 1973 coach Kerry Podmore, 1976 captain-coach Julian Vise and 1993 coach Geoff Ogden.

“It was a good night, the club awarded three life memberships to our premiership coaches,“ McCormick said.

“That was really good and we were able to keep that a secret from them, so it was great they could be there.

“Julian travelled up from Portland and Geoff travelled down from Noosa. They made a great effort to get there.”