Cats overcome the Dogs

The Felines played host to the Wangaratta Rovers at home at Barkly Park this weekend. This will be a great Sunday of female football and the Felines wish to invite everyone from the community down to watch these young athletes play football.

Open

The open team were coming off some strong performances against the two top teams in the competition. This match against a team in a similar spot on the ladder was going to be a real test to see if they were able to maintain or even improve their game.

Much to the relief of the coach, Matt Andison, the team did not disappoint and were up for the game from the opening bounce.

The Felines were too strong for the Bulldogs across the ground and for each quarter.

They played their best match of the season as a team with Matt Andison delighted with the increase in many of the small efforts such as running to be extra support at a contest, shepherding and calling players through.

This team in improving through the season, and this can be seen at the training track where the use of the ball and the speed at which the ball travels in the training drill improves each week.

This improved use of the ball was on display during the match. Also improving massively is the decision making and execution during each contest. As a result, and with a great endeavour, the team recorded a strong win against an improving Thurgoona open team.

Murray Felines 10.3-63 def Thurgoona Bulldogs 1.4-10

Best: Chloe Mitchell, Kaitlin Muscat, Aleyah Ward, Emily Nicholson, Lucy Anderson, Sophie Nicholson

Under 17

The game started in stellar form with the Felines jumping the Thurgoona Bulldogs from the opening bounce. In particular, the midfield on fire lead by Paige Duffy, Ali Jackson, Ava Loughnan and Madi Ibrahim.

These players provided the run and carry out of the centre which proved to be the difference between the two teams.

The highlight of the day was Hannah Loughnan kicking the goal of the year. Hannah was running in from 30m out, dodged two opponents and kicked the goal on her left foot from the boundary line.

The back line was solid all day. Every time Thurgoona were able to work the ball to their 50m arc, the half back line was able to rebound the ball.

Up front, Georgia Thomas provided the focal point with some strong marking, and she was able to convert the strong grabs with two goals.

After quarter time, Thurgoona lifted their intensity and cohesiveness across the ground. With this lift, they were able to match the play with the Felines for much of the remainder of the match. However, in a solid performance by the whole team, the Felines were able to hold off the Bulldogs for a comfortable win.

Felines 5.5-35 def Thurgoona Bulldogs 1.1-7

Goals: Georgia Thomas 2, Latoya Holdsworth, Hannah Loughnan, Ava Loughnan

Best: Ali Jackson, Phina Muscat, Hannah Loughnan, Paige Duffy, Ava Loughnan, Madi Ibrahim

Under 14

This was another entertaining match by the two young teams. It is great to see the young girls play with their full enthusiasm each week and really enjoy themselves.

Once again, the young Felines were able to match it against their opponents for much of the day. The team is improving each week in their ability to pick up the ball in a contest, handball it out and run the ball. This created an entertaining match with the ball moving freely across the ground.

However, being able to create better opportunities in the forward 50m proved to be the difference between the two teams.

Even though scoring proved to be elusive, the Felines had their chances throughout the match. In the last 10 minutes of play, the Bulldogs were able to score another couple of goals to put the result beyond the reach of the Felines.

Thurgoona Bulldogs 3.8-26 def Murray Felines

Best: Ashlyn Willett, Abbey Ibrahim, Carrington Schmidt, Anastasia Lairson, Madilyn Hill, Violet Fisher