Charlie Walls boots the ball long in the Fourths 59 point win to advance to the grand final.
Photo by
Les_Garbutt
Katandra 2.0, 5.1, 9.1, 13.3.81.
Tungamah 5.2, 5.4, 7.6, 7.8.50.
Goals: Katandra: T. Jeffery 5, J. Kezerle 3, M. Black 2, Z. Wild 2, H. Cook.
Tungamah: L. Thompson 2, S. Johns 2, B. Beaton, A. Saunders, J. Irvine.
Best: Katandra: H. Wedding, J. Kezerle, M. McGrath, C. Hickford, J. Newman, Z. Wild.
Tungamah: J. Arnold, J. Cheek, J. Holcombe, S. Ferguson, W. Thomson, J. Irvine.
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Saturday’s senior football preliminary final between Katandra and Tungamah certainly threatened to enter the territory of an upset.
The Kats hardly started on the right foot as favourites in meeting the Bears at Mathoura, finding themselves 20 points down by the end of a head-spinning first term.
In following the lead of its adversaries in the third term from a fortnight ago, though, Katandra rallied to come within inches of the lead, the Bears maintaining their ascendancy into the long break by a mere whisker.
The third term brought about the first genuinely, properly contested period of football all afternoon with no ‘scoring end’ or surge in momentum to be seen, with the sides going blow for blow as the Kats eventually garnered a modest upper hand.
With the margin at seven entering the final half-hour, every indication was that we were set for a grandstand finish.
Katandra, it’s safe to say, had other ideas by then.
The Bears unfortunately bowed out of the finals race by 31 points but are already gearing up to go one better in 2025 after cheering on the Bears teams in this weekends grand finals.
Reserves
Tungamah 3.4, 4.5, 6.7, 6.7.43.
Waaia 1.1, 1.5, 2.7, 4.9.33.
Goals: Tungamah: J. Henderson 4, D. Ellis, J. Connell.
Waaia: J. Connell, H. Thomson, J. Jones, S. Kellock, J. Henderson, D. Ellis.
Best: Tungamah: K. Gall 2, R. Bradbury, G. Meyland, S. Richardson.
Waaia: E. McGrath, G. Caccianiga, S. Richardson, R. Bradbury, G. Meyland, B. Harris.
Playing old foe Waaia, the Bears reserves knew this one would be fought to the death. Banger Thompson was instrumental early with Josh Jones 40-20 kick had Rangi riled up. Patches was in career best form Thursday night training the house down for a last-minute call up, only to play 10 minutes, walk off and cut his magnet up.
Brett Smith left his opponent with minimal touches while Jake Henderson was in white hot form on his return from a senior’s stint, managing to find time after a pack contest to politely offer the umpire some constructive feedback on the multitude of frees he should have been awarded.
Mr Finals Ellis finds more gears than a fast and the furious movie, really hitting his straps leading into the big dance.
You’ve got more chance of finding a one ended stick than getting an easy ball with this bloke around.
Kellock is amazing to watch. Despite his 58 kicks, sadly he is only being remembered for his last two, that were sent over the fence and the Cobb Highway by all accounts.
The reserves now focus on the big dance next week, waiting to see how they handle the Cats.
Fourths
Fourths’ Slater Goudie looks to get the ball away under pressure for his major.
Photo by
Les_Garbutt
Tungamah 1.0, 2.5, 6.7, 11.8.74
Picola United 2.3, 2.3, 2.3, 2.3.15.
Goals: Tungamah: J. Bamford 5, Z. Ussher 2, B. Doyle 2, S. Goudie, N. Lawless.
Picola United: B. Griffiths, C. Wilson.
With a slow start for the Bears, there sure were a few stressed spectators as the first quarter finished with Tungamah trailing Picola.
In the second quarter the boys started to find their confidence again as they gained far more possessions than they’d had previously and with a few of the younger kids adding to the scoreboard, the Bears came out 2 points in the lead at half time.
As the third quarter began, Tunga returned to their normal rhythm and worked so well as a team to make a good lead coming into the final quarter where they just continued to dominate in every position on the field.
There’s too many individuals to name as the 4ths boys all united to secure their spot this weekend for their big day.
What a tremendous team effort led by their amazing coaches. For the first time in 10 years, the Under 14s have a chance to win the flag, so make sure everyone gets along to support them.
Grand Final, here the fourth Bears come!
Grand Final times at Rennie Recreation Reserve
9am - Fourths v Berrigan.
12.15pm - Reserves v Katandra.
Bears junior girls through to grand final
Under 15s Laila Pardo looks to move the ball out of defence.
Photo by
Les_Garbutt
C Grade
Katunga 49 def Tungamah 41.
The Bears travelled to Yarroweyah to take on an undefeated Katunga in a Preliminary final on Sunday.
It took a bit for Tungamah to settle in the first quarter and Katunga took a lead of 8 at the first break.
A regroup saw the Bears take to the court with steely determination, worked hard and played beautifully to cut the margin to 2 at the long break.
The third quarter was one of the best quarters of the year and Tungamah took an early lead before being pegged back and were only 3 down at the final turn.
Despite their best efforts in the last, the Swans took out the win by 8.
A huge thanks to the loud supporters and to Keely, Jenny, Lauren, Brodie and Tahnee for assisting.
The coaches are so proud of the team for all their efforts this season. Bring on 2025!
Under 17s
Tungamah 44 def Berrigan 37.
Shylee Brown avoids an intercept in the Under 17s.
Photo by
Les_Garbutt
The girls were set for a big game with high hopes of winning and making it to the grand final. The girls came out firing after watching the under 15s take out the win in the game before.
The intensity was high with a bit of nerves showing throughout the second quarter seeing a few things needing to be changed.
With Jaz having an absolute blinder of a game, the girls began to settle, playing their game and getting back to basics, making clear hard drives in attack.
Under 17s’ Anna Zanin looks to the goal third.
Photo by
Les_Garbutt
Lily and Bridie continued to work relentlessly in defence getting some crucial turnovers when Berrigan started to fight back in the last.
It was great to see the girls keep composure not letting the pressure of finals get to them. The girls finished strong taking the win and making it into the grand final on the weekend against rivals Rennie.
Under 15s
Tungamah 34 def Picola United 25.
Tayla Mason advances the ball up court in the Under 15s win.
Photo by
Les_Garbutt
Congratulations girls you are Grand Final bound. The Bears came out strong in the first quarter ending the quarter with an 8-goal lead.
Not even the windy conditions could stop their focus – they were determined to win.
Emily, Abbi and Grace were the defensive trio who have worked so well together all season and now have a 6th sense where the other will be making it very difficult for the opposition to get close to their ring.
At half time Tungamah were 11 goals up with attacks of Kiera, Elli, Brooke and Chloe always attacking that ball and ensuring it was Tungamahs. Their confidence and accuracy with goal shooting is to be congratulated; it is rewarding all their hours down at the netball courts practising their goals.
In the 3rd quarter the Bears took their foot off the pedal and let the margin decrease to an 8-goal lead. The mid court of Charli, Layla, Indi, Tayla and Claire were impressive.
Even with the fight back by Picola, the midcourt held their composure kept their cool and played their game of netball.
In the 4th quarter, with the support and encouragement from Lilli, Jen and Tahnee, the Bears came out with renewed determination to finish the game strong.
The Bears put their bodies on the line and were lucky enough to come away with the win. Good luck in the Grand Final.
