Felines’ Under 17s midfielder Ali Jackson played another great game. Photos by Simon Ginns.
In perfect conditions for football, the Murray Felines hosted the Thurgoona Bulldogs at Barkly Park, Rutherglen on Sunday.
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Special thanks to Indigo Shire Councillor Roberta Horne who come down to watch the Felines play football. Cr Horne also took the time to discuss the draft Barkly Park masterplan that has been prepared by Regional Design Service and what can be done to improve the netball courts and changeroom facilities at the very popular facility especially with so many females playing sport at the venue.
Indigo Shire Councillor Roberta Horne visited Barkly Park to show her support for the Felines. She is pictured with Under 17 Felines captains Josephine Muscat, Ava Loughnan and Thurgoona captain Bella Browne.
This week, the Felines are privileged to have facilitators from SALT (Sport And Leadership Training) to facilitate a leadership seminar for females on Wednesday evening. We thank the generosity of Mawson Concrete who through their donation have made this leadership training possible.
Under 14s
Kaity Ford applying great pressure in the Under 14s game.
This was an entertaining match where both teams were able to move the ball quickly and were able to display their developing skills. The Thurgoona Bulldogs had a few more players that were adapt at being able to run and carry the ball. This was a feature of their game and some of their players showed great skills with their long kicking.
Even though Thurgoona was in control of the scoreboard from the first quarter, the play was evenly matched throughout much of the match. Abbey Ibrahim and Violet Fisher kept backing themselves and provided great drive for the team.
In the last quarter, the young Felines played their best football for the season and were able to dominate possession in their forward half. This resulted in two goals, and they won the last quarter of football.
Ashlyn Willet was back to her best with her evasive skills, Jacinta Fisher was very solid along the half back flank and Anastasia Lairson developed her confidence and started to run with the ball at every opportunity.
It is very good to see in the improvement in all of the players as they improve their skills and understand the game.
It was an entertaining and competitive game in the Under 14s.
There are still places available in the Under 14 team for any young female in the district who is interested in playing football and having a great time. Training is each Wednesday at 5pm.
This was another entertaining game of football with both teams able to display their running game and skills to move the ball quickly from one end of the ground to the other.
For the match, the Thurgoona Bulldogs were bolstered by the inclusion of a number of Murray Bushrangers players. The Felines welcomed three players for their first game for the season- Sienna Koop, Jo Somerville and Matilda Cheeseman.
Once again, the scoreboard did not reflect the evenness of the contest. However, this time, it was the Felines who were able to press harder in their forward line and progressively took advantage of their opportunities.
The Felines midfield were fantastic with their running and evasive skills.
Ava Loughnan racked up possessions at will in a best on ground display. Not to be outdone, her younger sister Hannah was a real will-of-the-wisp along the half forward flank.
Paige Duffy and Ali Jackson also starred through the midfield.
Up front Georgia Thomas continues to provide a strong target and she took a number of solid marks leading up from full forward. Isabel Bush continues to improve and provided a strong presence around the ball.
What was pleasing with the match was the even contribution from all the players across the field. Progressively, the team were able to improve their game and run, provide options, and link up passages of play.
The only downside for the match was the inaccurate kicking for goal which meant that the team wasn’t fully able to take advantage of their good play.
The Thurgoona backline had a solid game taking many marks and stopping the Felines attack on many occasions.
Best: Ali Jackson, Ava Loughnan, Joey Shepherdson, Madison Ibrahim, Mia Spiteri, Paige Duffy.
Friendships and fun. Photographer Simon Ginns perfectly captured the essence of female footy.
Open Women
A full-strength Felines open team hosted a young and improving Thurgoona side.
From the opening bounce, the improvement in the Felines team was great to watch. The Felines were able to drive the ball down to their forward line and also maintained the majority of the possession in their forward half.
The forwards of Sophie Nicholson and Jane McInnes took full advantage of their opportunities.
From the first quarter, the Felines played their best game of football for the season and were able to gradually increase their lead at every break.
Mietta Habets dominated the ruck tap outs for the match and was back to her best in taking her opportunities in running the ball. Chloe Mitchell presented everywhere in the forward line to play her best match for the season.
The diminutive Emily Keys showed everyone how to tackle, bringing down every Thurgoona player who got in her way.
The Felines were able to welcome Caitlin Somerville for her first game for the season. Caitlin was able to provide an option and real contest at centre half forward .
On the back line, Kaitlyn and Chloe Robinson were very solid in defence and repelled almost every Thurgoona attacking move.
Claire Megarrity showed her slightly younger team mates how to win the ball and her attack on the ball was fierce all day. Together with Yasmine Budic and Sinead Lang they were able to provide the drive around the packs to continuously move the ball forward.
In all, it was a very entertaining game of football as were the two earlier matches. The Open Felines recorded their first win for the season by playing their best game to date.
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