The Murray Felines hosted the Wodonga Raiders on a track declared by the unofficial curator of the Barkly Park oval as heavy. With the recent rain and matches and training on Barkly Park, the oval is churning up but still playable. As the unofficial curator Scott Francis might have said in an episode of Start Trek, “She’s breaking up Captain, she can’t hand it anymore”. In a slightly Scottish accent of course.
Under 14
Sunday was a much-improved showing by the Young Felines. The Wodonga Raiders have some great young players that can run and carry the ball for the team. This made the difference between the two teams.
The Wodonga Raiders got off to a bright start kicking the first few goals. Gradually, the Felines were able to claw their way back into the game. Katie Ford played her game of her season and was in everything in the first half from the half back flank.
Gradually the senior players worked their way into the game. Violet Fisher lifted her work rate at centre half back and nullified many of the Raider’s attacks. At full back, Alexia Nagle was stoic and perhaps the highlight of the match was one of her booming 50 m barrels running the ball out from full back.
Abbey Ibrahim and Carrington Schmidt also worked in the match and soon the entire young Felines were matching the general game play with the Raiders.
The young Felines had a number of good forward entries to score goals but were not quite able to take the most of their opportunities.
In the end, the Wodonga Raiders ran away comfortable winners, however, the final score did not show the full endeavour of the Felines team.
Wodonga Raiders: 8.7-55 defeated Murray Felines
Best: Kaity Ford, Violet Fisher, Abbey Ibrahim, Carrington Schmidt, Alexia Nagle, Maya Gatford
Under 17
This was a great match between the Felines and the Raiders. The ball was played between the goals lines through good running from both teams and the contest was always fiercely but fairly contested.
The Felines got off to a great start through a clever running goal to Hannah Loughnan and then followed up with a long-range bomb from Georgia Thomas.
The Raiders worked their way back into the contest in the third quarter with some forward half possession and a well-deserved goal.
Throughout the game, the back line with Josephine Muscat, Sophie Kelly and Issy Bush were always on top and made it hard for the Raiders to gain any length of time in their forward half.
In the last quarter, the goal of the day commenced with Sophie Kelly completing a second and third effort and finally getting the ball out in the back pocket to her teammate. The Felines were then able to run the ball coast to coast with the play being finished off to a good goal to Angelina Bigger.
In the end, the Felines were able to close out the game with a solid win
Murray Felines 4.7-31 Defeated Wodonga Raiders 1.1-7
Goals: Hannah Loughnan 2, Georgia Thomas, Angelina Bigger
Best: Josephine Muscat, Madison Ibrahim, Sophie Kelly, Ava Loughnan, Isabelle Bush, Mia Spiteri, Jazmine Holdsworth
Open
The open Felines started relatively slowly against the top of the ladder Wodonga Raiders, allowing the Raiders to kick the first 5 goals of the match. Four of them coming in the first quarter.
However, after half time, a different Felines senior team ran out on the oval. In the third quarter, the Felines were able to dominate the forward half possession and turn the table on the Raiders defence.
Unfortunately, they were not able to fully capitalise on their hard work until late in the third quarter they were able to score a goal.
The last quarter was similar affair, with the Felines able to hold out a more urgent Raiders team. In the back Line, Kaitlyn Robinson was fantastic, with her reading of play and line breaking runs. She was ably supported by Sophie Nicholson at fullback and the Muscat sisters of Kaitlin and Josephine.
Around the ball, Emily Nicholson provided a strong presence and Emily Keys returned from her studies to prove why she remains a tackling machine.
In the centre Mietta Habets and Claire Megarrity tried all day and up forward, Caitlin Somerville provided a target and contest for the hard work done by the back line.
The Raiders were able to take their early lead through to the finish line. However, the Raiders coach acknowledge the spirit and tenacity of the Felines players.
The Felines would also like to thank the Raiders who lent two of their better players during the match to even up the numbers and bench numbers.
Wodonga Raiders 6.5-41 def Murray Felines 1.1-7
Best: Kaitlyn Robinson, Emily Nicholson, Josephine Muscat, Ava Loughnan, Aleyah Ward, Sophie Nicholson