Tocumwal went head-to-head with Katunga at the weekend, in what was looking to be an exciting match up for the sides.
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The heavens decided to open right as play began, but that didn’t stop Katunga piling on five opening quarter goals.
The Bloods were unable to maintain a quality defence, which has been an issue throughout the season.
Although Toc were winning enough footy around the clearances and getting some good looks inside their own 50, they were very wasteful in front of goal.
For the middle part of the game the Bloods were able to compete well against the Swannies, and at three-quarter time Toc’s boys were talking of pulling off a come from behind upset win.
However, when Katunga kicked the first two goals of the term it put a stop to any chance of that, with Toc lowering our colours to the tune of 47 points.
Again, Tom Barker was sublime in the conditions out on his wing, using his running power and clean disposal to set team mates up further afield.
Ray Sutton continued his recent good form, while Adam Kent played his best game for the season taking on the number one ruck role.
The conditions also suited Will O’Leary who was like a steam train coming off half back.
Mitch Collins-Bye and Kade Rowe were again rock solid as their efforts for the Bloods can never be in question.
Final score: Tocumwal 7.11 (53) def by Katunga 15.10 (100).
Best players: Mitch Collins-Bye, Kade Rowe, Tom Barker, Adam Kent, Brock McCabe and Raymond Sutton.
Goal kickers: Duane Haebich (3), Drew Haebich (2), Brock McCabe (1), Luke Congram (1).
Awards: 1st Incentive – Will O’Leary; 2nd Incentive – Adam Kent; 3rd Incentive – Raymond Sutton.
With the winter weather forecasting patchy showers for Saturday’s game, the Toc reserves were forced to make a few changes to their normal side. A few of the boys were unavailable, and getting called up on Thursday night for the senior game.
Kicking with a slight breeze in the first quarter, the Bloods were unable to make any real impact on the scoreboard, despite winning their fair share of the ball around the ground.
The Swans were far more efficient early and took a two-point lead into the first break in a low scoring affair.
With the team settling down in the second term, the Bloods were able to kick three majors through the great work of the midfielders winning the hard ball and delivering it into the forward line.
With a 16-point lead at half time, the Bloods looked like kicking on with a convincing win against the lower placed Swans, but this was not the case.
Katunga got back on top in the third term and early in the fourth to get as close as one point down mid-way through the fourth quarter.
Missing Seth and Drew Haebich across half back, the Swans were able to get consistent deeper entry into their forward line and the pressure was well and truly on the Bloods defense.
Luckily the rain came down hard in the last term making scoring difficult and the momentum of the Swans slowed.
Taking advantage of this, Ash Scott was able to flick a kick over the line of the Swans defence to an open space the final goal was scored with a few minutes to go.
Final score: Tocumwal 5.8 (38) def Katunga 4.8 (32).
Best players: Jesse Colston, Riley Colston, Glenn Braybon, Kenny Chellew, Ashley Scott and Paul Quick.
Goal kickers: Cody Deegan (2), Ashley Scott (1), Tom Whytcross (1), Patrick Bennet (1).
Awards: 1st Incentive – Jesse Colston; Foreshore Café Voucher – Paul Quick; Farmers Arms Hotel Pot and Parma – Ashley Scott; Baldwins Buses Thursday night meal – Connor Crowley.
The Tocumwal thirds hit a bit of a brick wall this week. It didn’t help that they had a few of the regulars out.
With both teams being very familiar with each other off the field, the boys needed to be able to change their mindset on the field, leaving friendships at the boundary, if they are going to be successful.
A week off will give the boys time to get over colds, COVID and freshen up before we start again.
Final score: Tocumwal 2.7 (19) def by Katunga 14.11 (95).
Best players: Blair Eddy, Pacey Haebich, Nate Grieves, Kane Wardlaw, Jay Dickins and Joe Barker.
Goal kickers: Blair Eddy (1), Logan White (1).
Awards: Ed Thompson $20 Award – Pacey Haebich; P & L Palmer Excavations $10 canteen Award – Nate Grieves; Wingates $20 voucher – Jay Dickins.
It was great to get the fourths boys back on the winner’s list at the weekend.
The fourths coach said he is really happy with how the side is progressing as a group and is excited about the future of all the boys that play in the side.
Final score: Tocumwal 8.15 (63) def Katunga 3.2 (20).
Best players: Liam Sutton, Chace Brunskill, Cooper Mangion, Logan White and Cooper Quick.
Goal kickers: Chace Brunskill (3), Logan White (2), Liam Sutton (1), Rory Wills (1), Harrison Wilson (1).
Awards: Baldwins Farms Thursday night meal – Jake Hicks; Donny Tainton $10 Canteen voucher – Hunter Groutsch; Paul Quick & Peter Absolom $10 award – Liam Sutton.