After a slow and nervous start to the Reserves finals campaign, which allowed the Roos to settle first and gain a big advantage at quarter time, the Cats jumped back into action and matched it goal for goal with them for the remainder of the game. Unfortunately, the margin from the first quarter was the final margin of the match, as Rutherglen couldn’t cut into the lead.
A good reminder that come finals you need to show up from the first whistle with your head in the game.
Luckily, the Ressies still have another opportunity to demonstrate the good footy they can play against Barnawartha at 12.25pm on Sunday.
Let’s get all the supporters up there to cheer on the boys.
Goals: Joel Costarella 3, Luke Knight 1, Declan Thomson 1, and Jakeb Meyer 1.
Best Players: Caleb Andison, Charles James, Jack Reid, Joel Costarella, Lucas Tafft, and James Plummer.
Thirds
Dederang-Mt Beauty 8.4.52 def by Cats 16.5.101.
An outstanding start to the finals with every player on the ground making a valuable contribution.
After some early nerves from both sides, the scores were level at the first break. In the second quarter, the boys settled into their rhythm and began to take control of the game.
Strong defensive efforts and sharp forward movement in the third quarter allowed the Cats to extend their lead and head into the final term in a commanding position.
Despite a couple of late challenges from DMB, Rutherglen held firm and finished with a confident win.
This victory sees them progress to next weekend’s second semifinal against the minor premiers, Mitta.
With the Cats teams split across both days next weekend, let’s get behind them and show support on both occasions.
Goals: Mitch Francis 1, Snowy Barnes 2, Harry Chandler 3, Ollie Nash-Webster 1, Aidan Berriman 3, Flynn Verhulst 2, Aaron Lewis-Carmichael 1, Liam Colvin 3
Best Players: Daniel Rylan, Aidan Berriman, Mitch Francis, Flynn Verhulst, Logan Poole, and Jax Ramsey.
Fourths
Wodonga Saints 3.6.24 def Cats 2.5.17.
The Under 14 Cats travelled to Sandy Creek for the first week of their finals campaign for the 2025 season.
The “MCG of the Bush” was once again presented perfectly for the finals and offered great conditions for some good pressure finals footy.
It promised to be a tight contest against the Wodonga Saints having only played them a few weeks ago. The first quarter was a very low scoring affair, with Wodonga scoring one goal and Rutherglen held to only two points.
Brayden McInnes was strong in the ruck, and Seve Cottam was dangerous in the midfield. In the second quarter both teams showed finals desperation and scoring was very hard to come by.
At half time only six points separated the two teams. In the third quarter the young Cats turned up their tackle pressure to stop the run of the Saints.
Rutherglen scored two goals courtesy of forwards Ben Pagan-Saunders and Kasey Rhodes, setting up the final term for an exciting contest with only a four-point margin between the two.
Unfortunately, in the last term the momentum shifted again, and Wodonga inched ahead and scored two goals which saw them run out eventual seven-point winners – 24 v 17.
Next week Rutherglen will play Yackandandah on Sunday in an elimination semi-final.
Please get along to support the Fourths team who have played with such grit, determination and a never say die attitude right throughout the season.
Goals: Ben Pagan-Saunders 1, Kasey Rhodes 1
Best Players: Nate Kuschert, Brayden McInnes, Zavier Manns, Kasey Rhodes, Tom Ballintine, and Seve Cottam.
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