Rutherglen Football Netball Club

The Cats were fast out of the blocks and at one stage had a five-goal lead deep into the last.

Can’t comment too much as I was in the shower with a cold beverage after a fine effort in the Ressies, however I assume that Jack Andison, Sam Edmonson and Tommy Allison had a lot to do with this, the three combining for six goals on the day from our midfield group.

Managed to see a little more of the second however I run on the motto of “don’t leave the rooms until all cans are gone” so still guessing a little, Ben Pleming was good.

The third had the Saints gradually take control however this was due mainly to the Cats not being able to take advantage of very gettable set shots.

The last quarter had the Cats in control through the middle however once again poor shots on goal cost the Cats any chance of victory, by the halfway mark it was becoming evident that the Cats were out on their feet as cramps started to take effect on the midfield group, fitness allowed this to slip.

Birthday boys Lachlan Webb and Ryan Milthorpe were both good as they celebrated their eighteenth birthdays in style with fine games.

While a win would have been a better way to finish, the improvement from the first to the last was stark.

With fourteen players under twenty-one the focus is retention and having mentors around the group to move them forward, in starting with this the Cats are delighted to have gained the services of Jamie Seymour to fast track the development of the group. It has been 13 years since Jamie played for the Cats, and to have Jamie, Tanya and kids back at the Cats is a massive boost for the club. Bring on next year.

Reserves

Cats 6.5, Saints 14.8

As has been the norm for the season a completely different side took to the field for this game from the side of the week prior, the first game between the two sides had the result as a draw only to be reviewed and changed to a Saints win by one point on the Monday. The first quarter was tight as the teams sized each other for signs of weakness, which there were many, Duane “Moo” Moloney in his son’s football boots that were two sizes to small kicked the Cats score in the first term, one goal one to the Saints one goal three, from the strut you would assume that Moo had kicked substantially more than a shanked point and gift handpass over the top for his only goal. The second term had the Saints pull away with six goals to one, the one a long-range bomb on the opposite foot by the president the highlight of the second. The third had the Cats mount a mini comeback to close within three however with failing fitness the Saints were able to register some late goals to take a thirty-four-point lead into the last. With the last quarter of the season the game came to a quiet end with a Saints win, for the Cats Jake Goddard combined well in the middle with Ben Nicholson to slot three goals, hard working Isaac Rowston and Bailey Scholes were good as usual while Brent Flannery was his in and under self. Moo Moloney left the field sometime after halftime but was not noticed or missed. The young Harry Saville played his third Ressies game of the year and was thrown deep into the defence in the last to mind the Saints most dangerous forward who had six to his name, Harry was outstanding as he completed annoyed the holy prepuce off him to hold him goalless in the last.

Under 17s

Cats 8.9 Swans 7.8

For a place in the top three and the second chance come finals this weekend a win was a must for both sides as the loser would drop to forth and into an elimination final. The Cats started well with the midfield led by Luke Nicholson winning the contest in the middle of the ground and continually pushed the ball forward to Judd Kuschert who stood alone deep in the goal square, for all the effort the Cats couldn’t take advantage on the scoreboard, registering four points before finally converting for their first major, a late goal by Chiltern cut the lead at the break to two points the Cats way. The second quarter belonged to the Cats as Charlie Beattie took hold down back ably supported by Archer Colvin and Lenny Hill, the lads continually thwarted the Swans forward advances and launched the ball forward to place pressure on the Swans defence who conceded three goals for the quarter and allowed the Cats to take a halftime lead of thirteen points. The third was a tight affair however the Cats were able to extend their lead to twenty points at the last change, Rory Beattie in the midfield and Angus Williams at centre half forward working nicely into the game. With an early goal to the Cats in the last the game looked over however the Swans mounted a late comeback to pile on four quick goals and have the game back to a point with four minutes left, a frantic last moment of the game saw Caleb Waycott slot a goal directly in front with one minute left being enough to see the Cats home by seven and the double chance.

Netball

A Grade

Saints 62 def Cats 43

B Grade

Saints 57 def Cats 28

C Grade

Saints 46 def Cats 33

Under 17s

Saints 56 def Cats 33

Under 15s

Saints 57 def Cats 17

Under 13s

Saints 20 def by Cats 29

Abbie is a proud Cat

At just 17 years old, Abbie Hetherington has proven herself to be a force to be reckoned at the Rutherglen Cats. She serves as a netball umpire in the mornings, player captain, and trainer for the Rutherglen Cats. With a journey spanning eight years within the club, the last two have marked her rise as a prominent figure within the community.

Abbie’s journey to becoming a trainer started when she expressed her interest to club President Pat Beattie. Supported by both Pat and his wife Naomi, Abbie diligently pursued her training courses. Under the guidance of Mick, the everyday trainer, she transformed from a girl simply interested in training into a skilled and passionate coach.

“I owe everything to him. He taught me everything I know and has so much faith in me,” she said.

“He never says anything negative and will always cheer me on when I’ve done something great.

“He’s my biggest supporter and I’ve enjoyed working as a team with him through the past year.

“Not only is he my hero but he spends time at the club every week he’s up at 6 in the morning on game days getting ready than leave when all the footy is over or even hours after he always has everything organised as well as he’s the funniest old man you’ll ever meet.

“The club and I are so very thankful for Mick he’s everyone’s little hero from taping to annoying players and icing them up after every game. Very excited for another great year next year with you.”

Describing the club as an amazing place to be, Abbie highlights the strong sense of community and camaraderie that binds its members together. The willingness to step up for one another and fill volunteer roles has fostered an environment where growth and learning are paramount. The club’s emphasis on support, personal development, and teamwork has not only allowed Abbie to flourish as an individual but has also equipped her with valuable life skills.

“The club is such an amazing place to be because of the people and the community that we have,” Abbie said.

“We stick up for each other and someone always fills a volunteer spot when it’s needed. They have allowed me to grow as a person and taught me new life skills.

We are not always winners, but we definitely know how to have a great time. We support each other and try to bring the best out of our teammates.

“Everyday volunteers at Rutherglen go above and beyond with helping out, our beautiful club is nothing without all these amazing people to keep us going.

I’ve notice now as I’m one of them how hard working each and every one of these people are and as a younger volunteer, I look up to every one of them.”