PDFL | Picola United’s season over after loss to Katandra

By Bransen Gibson

Aug 14, 2022

Eyes on the ball: Picola United’s Dylan Cunningham looks to gather the football during his side’s elimination final against Katandra on Saturday. Photo: Daniel Webb

Picola United’s season has come to an end after the Blues were bounced out of the Picola District Football League finals at the hands of Katandra on Saturday.

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Taking on the Kats in a win-or-go-home elimination final at Jerilderie, United couldn’t match it against a strong Katandra side that claimed a resounding 59-point victory.

The Kats jumped out to an early lead thanks to a six-goal-to-two first term, but United managed to stem the tide in the second quarter and was still within touching distance at half-time, down by 31 points.

But a dominant third term put the result beyond doubt, with Katandra kicking six goals to United’s one behind as it powered to a 16.15 (111) to 7.10 (52) win.

With the Blues now knocked out of the finals in the first week, United coach Darby Walsh said it was a difficult way to end the season.

“It’s a bit of mixed emotions. We are disappointed with the result and we thought we had the potential,” Walsh said.

“But also I am super proud of the group and where we have come from to be in the finals and playing pretty good footy as well in patches there today.”

Jump ball: Katandra's Zane Thorne leaps for a mark during the opening round of the PDFNL finals against Picola United. Photo: Daniel Webb

Walsh said the third quarter was clearly the thing that hurt his side the most.

“To be honest, it was probably a one-quarter effort that really let us down. They capitalised and we just couldn’t go with them,” he said.

“They put their foot down and that’s what good teams do in finals, they make you pay.

“There was a lapse in the third quarter, but that wasn’t through a lack of trying. We just weren’t good enough on the day. They really hit their straps and came out hard, and unfortunately we weren’t able to go with them.“

The Kats finished the home-and-away season fifth on the ladder, narrowly missing out on a spot in the top-four by percentage, with Walsh praising the quality of the Katandra side.

“They were very strong. They had a few structural changes from the last time we played them, which adds another string to their bow,” he said.

“They have potential to go quite far in the finals, in my opinion. We have a lot of respect for them.

“They are really skilful and they use the ball well. They don’t waste much time. If you’re caught sleeping, they will make you pay.“

Luke Smith was the main man for the Kats up forward with eight majors, accounting for half of Katandra’s goals on the day.

Up the other end, Dylan Cunningham and Cody Haub were United’s leading goal-kickers with two majors each.

Stong hands: Katandra's Thomas Jeffery takes a mark against Picola United during his side’s 59-point win over the Blues. Photo: Daniel Webb

Despite the result, Walsh said there were still positives not just from the game, but from a successful season overall that saw the Blues return to the top eight after finishing 11th last year.

“Overall, I’m proud of the group. I was impressed with our midfield group as a whole. Katandra are a pretty strong side and I put it to our mids to rise to the occasion and I feel like they did that,” Walsh said.

“Ben Turpin in particular I thought was really good, he was really hard at the contest. Marcus Walsh, Charlton Hindle, Ian Fry were really strong.”

With three more wins this season than in 2021, Walsh said his side was heading in the right direction.

“I think it is a really big step forward for us this season in terms of what we are building towards and what the future has in store for us,” he said.

“Our distance to the top teams was not as far as it was last year, so we have bridged that gap a little bit. Obviously, we still have some more bridging to do, but it’s still positive. It was still a strong developing year.”