Rutherglen take a big hit on a hard day

Barkly Park was in pristine condition as Rutherglen welcomed Kiewa FNC for their annual Anzac weekend clash.

Prior to the game, the senior group heard from Mark Chandler, who spoke about the strong local and family ties between Rutherglen FNC and those who have served our country.

It was a meaningful reminder of the sacrifices made, allowing us the privilege to represent this great club.

Unfortunately, Kiewa proved too strong on the day.

They demonstrated why they are the reigning premiers and again shaping as a serious contender this season.

Despite the result, there were several standout performances from players who battled until the final siren.

Our skipper, Ben Pleming, led from the front, consistently putting his body on the line around the contest to give us first use.

Brendan Morris was impressive in defence, showing composure and clean ball use under constant pressure.

Up forward and through the midfield, James Tanner provided a spark with his competitiveness and refusal to be beaten.

As a group, our focus now turns to another tough challenge against Tallangatta on their home deck in six days’ time.

The Cats are eager to respond after a disappointing outing and get back to playing the brand of footy we know we’re capable of.

Best Players: Ben Pleming, Brendan Morris, James Tanner, Khristopher Willett, Matthew Tanner

Reserves

Cats 6.6.42 defeated by Hawks 12.7.79

Best Players: Jake Nicholson, Tory Oats, Angus Williams, Lincoln Barnes, Lenny Hill, Darcy Williams.

Under 17s

Cats 15.11.101 defeated Hawks 1.0.6

Under 17s Rutherglen Cats Dominate Kiewa Sandy Creek Hawks

In an impressive display of skill and teamwork, the Under 17s Rutherglen Cats triumphed over the Kiewa Sandy Creek Hawks with a resounding victory in their Round 4 match.

The Cats started the game with a bang, scoring six consecutive goals in the first quarter, leaving the Hawks scoreless.

The return of Captain Flynn Verhulst was a highlight for the Cats, as he effectively linked up with teammates Logan Poole and Harry Chandler in the midfield, driving the momentum forward.

Logan Morley emerged as a standout player, proving to be a focal point in the forward line with a dominant performance, ultimately finishing the match with six goals.

Despite increased pressure from Kiewa in the second quarter, the Cats maintained their stronghold, heading into halftime with a commanding lead of 64 points.

Jax Ramsay showcased his prowess in the ruck, consistently feeding the ball to the rovers and ensuring the Cats remained in control throughout the match.

Rutherglen continued to dictate the pace in the third quarter, and although Kiewa managed to score a goal in the final quarter, it was not enough to close the gap.

The Cats' victory margin of 95 points reflects their dominance on the field, with Harry Chandler also contributing significantly with three goals.

Other notable performances came from Brayden McInnes, Liam Colvin, Zavier Manns, Bryce Maloney, and Max Chandler, all of whom scored goals during the match.

Looking ahead, the Cats will face a challenging test next week as they travel to Tallangatta to take on the Hoppers, who currently sit with four wins for the season.

This upcoming match promises to be a significant challenge for the Rutherglen Cats as they aim to maintain their winning streak.

The Cats' supporters are eager to see if their team can continue this impressive form and secure another victory on the road.

Best Players: Logan Morley, Flynn Verhulst, Liam Colvin, Max Chandler, Lucas Zani, Harry Chandler.

Under 14s

Cats 8.11.59 defeated Hawks 3.3.21

This week saw the U14s Cats take on Kiewa at Barkly Park on the Sunday of the Anzac weekend.

The Cats kicked the first goal of the game through Codie J Wood which was also the first goal to be displayed on our new scoreboard.

The Hawks found another gear and both sides competed fiercely in an evenly contested quarter with the Cats finishing the quarter with 2 late goals.

The second half would see the Cats pressure and ball movement get on top of the Hawks with our younger players stepping up and every player contributing to a hard-fought team win.

Well done Cats.

Awards: Tom & Tam Renshaw award – Codie Johnson-Wood, Rutherglen Pizza – Mike Reed, Rutherglen Golf Club – Jimmy Nicholson, $10 Wood Award – Vinny Johnson, $5 Glenn Award – Michael Smith.

Under 12s

Cats 9 def by Hawks 21

Round 4 saw us back at the Cattery to play KSC.

The Hawks started strong, but we were up to the challenge ending the first quarter all tied up.

With a few changes made by the coaching staff we had a strong back line and it took a lot for Kiewa to break through.

They kicked 2 quick goals in the third and that was the difference.

A great game to watch, the young Cats are really starting to gel as a team and good things will come.

Awards: Lenny Ledger – Mr Wiggy, Kyden Skate – Lawler Transport, Taylor Hurley – North East Marine, Jed Williams – Corowa Chocolate Factory, Angus Lawler – Club Corowa, Rory Campbell – Verhulst family, Theo – Cam Ledger Award.