The Murray Felines hosted the Wodonga Raiders at Barkly Park on Sunday in glorious conditions.
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Under 14s
It was a tough day at the office for the junior felines coming up against the strong Wodonga Raiders team. However, the team gave a good account for themselves and continue to improve individually and as a team. Though the result of their endeavour is not always reflected on the scoreboard, small improvements in individual and team skill can lead to big improvements in the final result.
Best Players: Anna Mitchell, Milly Cheeseman, Ashlyn Willett, Issy Brooks, Carrington Schmidt, Georgie Upton
Under 17s
The Felines had a great hit out with the Wodonga Raiders. The Felines also had a few key players out and welcomed back to the team Alyssa Chant and Brook Davies.
From the first play of the day, the Wodonga Raiders had come to Barkly Park to play competitive football and in the first quarter they took the game up to the Felines.
Eventually by the end of the first quarter, the Felines had settled and were level on the scoreboard at the first break.
In the second and third quarter, the Felines were able to dominate possession but probably did not do enough in front of the goals and so assert their authority.
The margin at the last break was 2 goals. In the last quarter, the Raiders increased their tempo and were able to camp the ball on their own forward line, thereby giving the Felines back line a real test.
The back line was able to stand up to repeated forward 50m entries and to hold the Raiders at bay. A late goal to Anjou Bigger sealed the game for the Felines.
According to the coach Brad Nicholson “the pleasing aspect of this game was with the even contribution from the whole team. Everyone worked very hard to get to the contest and win the ball”.
Paige Duffy had a great game from centre half back taking on the game and opponents with her courage and pace.
Georgia Thomas was always dangerous up front and Yasmine Budic, Kirra Shepherdson, Alexi Jackson and Ava Loughnan provided the midfield drive to always keep the Felines nose in front.
In all, it was a very good win against a determined and strong team.
Goal Kickers: A. Bigger 2, G. Thomas 2Best Players: G. Thomas, K. Shepherdson, A. Jackson, A. Loughnan, Y. Budic, P. Duffy
Open Team
It was always going to be a tough encounter against the top of the ladder Raiders, and this was the way it turned out to be.
The Felines were competitive in general play and were able to push the Raiders for the majority of the day.
However, the Raiders always had a few more options at their disposal and constantly were able to kick goals throughout the match.
Sinead Lang took one of the best marks seen in the local female league raising up in front of the pack.
Chloe Robinson, Kristin Holmes and Kaitlyn Robinson were strong in the back line and were able to hold out the Raiders attacks on many occasions.
The hard ground at Barkly Park also caused some issues with a number of injuries to the Felines which further stretched their depth.
However, the team battled it out to the end but with the injuries and the extended Raiders bench, the Raiders were able to run out convincing winners.
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