What a thrilling season of football we’ve had so far, and we’re not taking our foot off the accelerator just yet! This is Round 6 of the of the 2021 Pocket Footy season. With half a season still to come, there’s no doubt that there are plenty more surprises lying just around the corner. We’re excited to bring you this one!
Kings remain the team to beat, and sit head and shoulders above the rest of the competition having gone undefeated across the first five rounds played. They kept their unbeaten streak alive with a confident 16-point victory over the Outlaws last time out. However, the other clubs have a big opportunity to catch up this week with the Kings sitting out for their bye round.
Outlaws and Jaguars go head-to-head first up while at the bottom of the ladder, the Bearcats will be looking to salvage their season against fourth-placed Cobras. Meanwhile, the Serpents will be keen to bounce back from their first loss of the season as they take on their old rivals, the Coyotes, who are riding high following their second win of the season against the Bearcats last week.
Elsewhere, the Rangers and Dynamos will be facing off in a tense match which could prove to be the difference between making the finals or not. The Dynamos have had an up-and-down season to date, but secured an important victory against the Serpents last week. Their opponents, the Rangers, have not had a win since Round 3, and it’s something that their captain Sebastian Reynolds would like to change.
“We’re certainly facing some challenges this season, and we’re not where we want to be in the standings,” said Reynolds at a Rangers training session this week. “Our team has had its ups and downs, and it’s clear that we’ve got work to do if we want to make it to the finals. I’ve seen the dedication and effort from my teammates, and we’re all determined to turn things around.
“Life’s about learning and growing, and I’ve found solace in my faith, in my love for traveling and praying, and even in walking, just like we need to keep moving forward as a team.
“Our upcoming match against the Dynamos is crucial. They’re sitting in fifth place, and we’re going to have to bring our A-game to secure a win. We’ve got to stay patient and keep working. It’s not going to be easy, but we believe in ourselves and our ability to turn things around. We’ll give it everything we’ve got and hope that our hard work pays off.”
At 38 years of age, there’s been plenty of rumours and speculation that this could be Reynolds’ last season of football. He had to be taken off the field following an injury scare during last week’s match against the Jaguars. No official word yet from the player or his agent but the player is known to have a variety of interests away from the game.
Thursday, November 11, 2021
Outlaws vs. Jaguars
Pocket Stadium
A packed crowd has gathered here for this very special Remembrance Day clash between the Outlaws and the Jaguars. This promises to be a cracking game with victory in this match crucial for both of these two sides. Jaguars will be hoping to move one step closer to the Kings at the top of the ladder, while it’s a must-win game for the Outlaws if they want to keep their finals hopes alive.
Outlaws came up short against the undefeated Kings last time out, marking their third loss on the trot. They have not won a game since Round 2, with that solitary victory coming against bottom feeders Bearcats. Outlaws captain Joseph Grainger will be looking to turn things around in today’s match. He kicked two goals last week to notch up his tenth goal of the season.
Towering ruckman Toby Plant survived an injury scare during last week’s match after he was taken off the field in the second half following a push in the back. The 34-year-old from Queensland was instrumental in the first half of the match with 7 disposals, including 5 kicks into the forward 50. The loss of the ruckman was a key moment that swung momentum in the Kings’ favour.
Elsewhere, Jeremy Arundale performed admirably and finished with 10 disposals, 4 tackles, and a behind in midfield, while left winger Charlie Swinburne was perfect with both his kicking and marking. Arundale is going to need the support of both Swinburne, and right winger Jack Gipps, in order to move the ball inside the attacking 50.
Jaguars small forward Jackson Cecilia was erratic and kicked just two goals in last week’s close finish against the Rangers. Brodie Harney and Ethan Ida each added goals of their own, but the Jaguars slipped from a 16-point lead at half time to be behind by 2 points at the three-quarter interval, which nearly cost them the game.
Inside midfielder Darcy Pelloe was a stand-out performer and took 3 good marks to go along with 5 disposals at 100% accuracy. Flynn Dynon performed admirably as stand-in ruckman for the injured Jake Kleeberg with 6 disposals at 83% accuracy, and Will Clogstoun enjoyed a solid outing on the right wing. The forward line will need to make the most of the chances provided to them by the midfield, and not peter out in the second half, if they are to win this match.
Meanwhile, Brock Upfield starts out wide for the Jaguars alongside Jesse McCue, who celebrates his 20th birthday tomorrow.
So as the teams get set for this one, the “Last Post” is sounded by a bugler from the Australian Defence Force and the players observe a minute’s silence prior to the start of play. Let’s hope such a big occasion doesn’t get to the players. We await the opening bounce!
Team Lineups
Outlaws –
FB: [19] Jack Marou, [4] Ryder Rickards, [7] Cody Toft
C: [14] Jack Gipps, [17] Jeremy Arundale, [20] Charlie Swinburne
FF: [22] Joseph Grainger (c), [23] Anthony Lovell, [18] Samuel Farrelly
FOL: [15] Toby Plant, [10] Thomas Sexton, [21] Jacob Guerard.
I/C: [25] Sebastian McIntosh.
Jaguars –
FB: [18] Elijah Nock, [21] Aaron Windsor (c), [22] George Angus
C: [9] Hamish Moir, [2] Darcy Pelloe, [23] Brock Upfield
FF: [1] Jackson Cecilia, [24] Brodie Harney, [11] Ethan Ida
FOL: [25] Flynn Dynon, [3] Will Clogstoun, [5] Jesse McCue.
I/C: [26] Charlie Dwyer.
First Quarter
HIGHLIGHTS
Q1 4:38 left: OUTLAWS: Midfield – Kick to Wing by Arundale → Nice grab by Gipps! → Run & bounce by Gipps. Gipps. Says eat my dust! → Fumble by Gipps! Bounces awkwardly → JAGUARS: Wing – Kick to Forward by Moir → Screamer by Cecilia! Chalk it up now. No chance he can miss this one → Goal by Cecilia!! Comes in, drop punt. Straight through the middle. Gets his first. Fantastic start for. Jaguars. Goal for Jaguars!
Jaguars 1.0 (6) lead Outlaws 0.0 (0)
Q1 3:55 left: All is in readiness. The ball bouncing very high! Hip & shoulder!! → JAGUARS: Midfield – Whistle blown by the referee → Dynon looks injured! Things not looking good for. Dynon. That was a nasty collision! Dynon cops a ferocious bump from Toby Plant in the ruck there. He is down for the count!! Quick interchange here!
Interchange: Flynn Dynon → Charlie Dwyer (Jaguars)
Q1 3:25 left: OUTLAWS: Wing – Kick to Forward by Sexton → Nice grab by Grainger! Grainger. Running in. About to kick → Smothered by Nock!! → Hip & shoulder!! → JAGUARS: Defence – Handball to Defence by Windsor → Angus tackled by Farrelly! Angus. Goes down like a silent tree in the forest! → Hip & shoulder!! → OUTLAWS: Forward – Goal by Lovell!! Look at that. He’s put it through! Outlaws. Scoring. Goal for Outlaws!
Outlaws 1.0 (6) tie Jaguars 1.0 (6)
Q1 1:52 left: JAGUARS: Midfield – Run & bounce by Pelloe. Pelloe. Arches the back and accelerates away → Handball to Wing → Run & bounce by Moir → Kick to Midfield → Screamer by Dwyer! Fantastic flight right there! We certainly hope he doesn’t suffer from vertigo → Whistle blown by the referee → Coat hanger! 50m!! Free kick!! That’ll be fifty. Toby Plant gives away the free kick. A pretty safe bet from this position. 26 metres from home → Dwyer kicks, Smothered by Marou!! → Picked up by Rickards!!
Q1 1:07 left: OUTLAWS: Defence – Long handball to Midfield by Rickards → Run & bounce by Arundale. Arundale. Evades. He prays to the god of blessed acceleration → Handball to Wing → Long range kick to Forward by Swinburne → Marked by Grainger! Grainger. With the shot! → 1 behind by Grainger! Tantalizingly close. Behind! Outlaws. In front. 1 behind for Outlaws.
Outlaws 1.1 (7) lead Jaguars 1.0 (6)
QUARTER TIME
Score: Outlaws 1.1 (7) lead Jaguars 1.0 (6)
Second Quarter
HIGHLIGHTS
Q2 4:09 left: OUTLAWS: Defence – Run & bounce by Rickards → Run & bounce. Another bounce → Short pass to Midfield. Throws it onto his left boot → Defensive mark by Pelloe! Pelloe. Wins the marking contest → JAGUARS: Midfield – Torpedo to Forward by Pelloe → Good mark by Cecilia! A pretty safe bet from this position → 1 behind by Cecilia! Misses the goal and goes through for a point. 1 behind for Jaguars.
Jaguars 1.1 (7) tie Outlaws 1.1 (7)
Q2 3:23 left: Taking his time. OUTLAWS: Defence – Marou tackled by Ida! Runs into a defender → Hip & shoulder!! He gets rid of his tackler like you would a telemarketer, with absolute speed and disregard → JAGUARS: Forward – Goal by Harney!! A great shot for goal. He’s got it! He acknowledges the crowd! Goal for Jaguars!
Jaguars 2.1 (13) lead Outlaws 1.1 (7)
Q2 2:03 left: OUTLAWS: Defence – Long handball to Midfield by Rickards → Handball to Wing by Arundale. Arundale. Moves it quickly by hand → Long range kick to Forward by Gipps → Marked by Grainger! Gipps to Grainger. The Outlaws are attacking alphabetically → 1 behind by Grainger! Goes wide for a behind! Outlaws. Trailing. 1 behind for Outlaws.
Jaguars 2.1 (13) lead Outlaws 1.2 (8)
Q2 1:01 left: JAGUARS: Defence – Short pass to Midfield by Windsor. Goes in the direction of. Pelloe → Spoiled by Arundale! → OUTLAWS: Midfield – Run & bounce by Plant → Kick to Forward. Launches that one into orbit → Good mark by Grainger! → 1 behind by Grainger! Grainger. Shoots it. Gets the behind. The lead is easily in reach for. Outlaws. 1 behind for Outlaws.
Jaguars 2.1 (13) lead Outlaws 1.3 (9)
HALF TIME
It’s been a tough battle for supremacy so far, but it’s the Jaguars that lead by four points at the halfway mark. Outlaws captain Joseph Grainger had a couple of chances to put his team in front before half time, but narrowly missed both set shots. Could those behinds end up costing his team dearly?
Outlaws grabbed a narrow lead before the end of the opening term, but they had to do most of the defending during that second quarter as the Jaguars wrestled the lead back in their favour. A terrific tackle from Jaguars forward Ethan Ida right in front of goal allowed Brodie Harney to score a crucial goal and put the Jaguars in front.
It hasn’t all been smooth sailing for the Jaguars, however, with Queenslander Flynn Dynon being taken from the field following a collision with the Outlaws’ towering ruckman Toby Plant. Dynon played for the Jaguars in their Round 5 clash against the Rangers after ruckman Jake Kleeberg damaged his spine back in Round 3. Dynon has received some treatment on the bench, but the extent of his injury remains unclear at this point.
Fellow Queenslander Charlie Dwyer has come onto the field as an emergency substitute in place of Dynon. The 30-year-old filled in for an injured Darcy Pelloe during that Round 3 match against the Kings. Dwyer has 3 disposals and 1 mark to his name so far. However, his free kick following a 50-metre penalty was brilliantly smothered by Outlaws defender Jack Marou. It will be interesting to see if he can make a further impact in the remainder of the match.
Outlaws are trailing just four points behind the Jaguars as we head into the second half of this match. Forward Anthony Lovell was able to crumb a goal halfway through the first quarter to even the score, but unfortunately, the Outlaws’ captain, Joseph Grainger, has only managed to score three behinds from five set shots. It’s been a disappointing performance from Grainger so far, and the Outlaws will be hoping he can find his accuracy in front of goal to help them close the gap and potentially take the lead.
Out wide, Jack Gipps shook off a nasty knock to his shoulder midway through the second quarter and provided four disposals into the forward 50, accompanied by 2 spoils and 2 marks, one of which was defensive. His efforts have been crucial in helping the Pink Hoops maintain their attacking pressure and defensive solidity on the wings.
It’s imperative for the rest of the wingers to step up and offer support to Gipps out wide, aiding in maintaining possession and creating opportunities in the forward line. The stakes are high, and every possession counts as we await an exciting conclusion to this enthralling Remembrance Day encounter.
Score: Jaguars 2.1 (13) lead Outlaws 1.3 (9)
Third Quarter
HIGHLIGHTS
Q3 3:19 left: He may have no option but to kick it long up the middle right here. OUTLAWS: Defence – Short pass to Midfield by Marou. Short kick off his left → Defensive mark by Pelloe! Great mark under pressure → JAGUARS: Midfield – Kick to Forward by Pelloe → Screamer by Cecilia! Definitely a contender for mark of the day. Cecilia. Running in. About to kick → Goal by Cecilia!! Goodnight nurse. It’s through for a goal! Pinpoint accuracy from. Cecilia. Goal for Jaguars!
Jaguars 3.2 (20) lead Outlaws 1.4 (10)
Q3 2:45 left: Ruckmen, conscious of where their teammates are. They wait for the bounce. The bounce straight down. Hip & shoulder!! Dwyer. Has the ball → JAGUARS: Midfield – Handball to Wing by Dwyer → Kick to Midfield by Moir → Defensive mark by Arundale! Arundale. Wins the marking contest → OUTLAWS: Midfield – Kick to Forward by Arundale → Screamer by Grainger! There’s a big mark coming over the top from. Grainger → Goal by Grainger!! Shot by. Grainger. Great goal by. Grainger. Goal for Outlaws!
Jaguars 3.2 (20) lead Outlaws 2.4 (16)
Q3 1:44 left: OUTLAWS: Midfield – Handball to Wing by Plant → Whistle blown by the referee → Gipps dropping the ball!! That was the right decision → JAGUARS: Wing – Kick to Forward by Moir → Nice grab by Cecilia! Head down now as he goes in for the goal → Smothered by Marou!! → Quick hands!! Harney. Comes away with the ball → Goal by Harney!! Harney. Shoots it. Goal! When he’s on song he sings a very good song! He’s bagged a couple now. Goal for Jaguars!
Jaguars 4.2 (26) lead Outlaws 2.4 (16)
Q3 0:47 left: OUTLAWS: Midfield – Kick to Forward by Plant. Booted by. Plant → Defensive mark by Nock! Mark taken by. Nock. At half-back → JAGUARS: Defence – Short pass to Midfield by Nock → Screamer by Pelloe! That shows real commitment! → Kick to Wing by Pelloe → Screamer by Moir! Moir. Was surrounded. Had to take the mark and he did! → Long range kick to Forward by Moir → Marked by Cecilia! A pretty safe bet from this position. 28 metres from home → Goal by Cecilia!! It’s straight. Gun barrel straight. Cecilia. Gets the goal. The opposition just not providing much of a challenge today. Goal for Jaguars!
Jaguars 5.2 (32) lead Outlaws 2.4 (16)
QUARTER TIME
Score: Jaguars 5.2 (32) lead Outlaws 2.4 (16)
Last 10 Scores
> Jaguars: Goal (5.2.32 v 2.4.16)
Jaguars: Goal (4.2.26 v 2.4.16)
Outlaws: Goal (2.4.16 v 3.2.20)
Jaguars: Goal (3.2.20 v 1.4.10)
Jaguars: Behind (2.2.14 v 1.4.10)
Outlaws: Behind (1.4.10 v 2.1.13)
Outlaws: Behind (1.3.9 v 2.1.13)
Outlaws: Behind (1.2.8 v 2.1.13)
Jaguars: Goal (2.1.13 v 1.1.7)
Jaguars: Behind (1.1.7 v 1.1.7)
Final Quarter
HIGHLIGHTS
Q4 5:00 left: The players are starting to feel the strain of the first three quarters now. Bounce to restart play. Quick hands!! → OUTLAWS: Midfield – Handball to Wing by Plant. Plant. Goes by hand → Long range kick to Forward by Gipps. He punishes the ball with that kick! → Marked by Grainger! Opportunity for. Outlaws. And the fans are riding this one home → Goal by Grainger!! The kick just clears the line for a goal! That’s his second. Outlaws. Aren’t out of this, but they need a goal. Goal for Outlaws!
Jaguars 5.2 (32) lead Outlaws 3.4 (22)
Q4 4:34 left: The umpire has the ball, ready for the centre bounce. The bounce is high! Off the toes!! → JAGUARS: Midfield – Run & bounce by Dwyer. Dwyer. Arches the back and accelerates away → Torpedo to Forward → Punched away by Marou! Kicks too short and puts his team-mate under immense pressure → Quick hands!! He shrugs the tackle off there → 1 behind by Harney! That’s got to hurt. It’s just missed. Jaguars. Stretch their lead. 1 behind for Jaguars.
Jaguars 5.3 (33) lead Outlaws 3.4 (22)
Q4 3:45 left: OUTLAWS: Defence – Kick to Wing by Toft → Nice grab by Swinburne! Swinburne. Soars to take the high mark → Kick to Midfield by Swinburne. He’s kicked it → Punched away by Pelloe! Misses the intended target → Steps & spins!! Plant. Spins on a ten cent and slips a would-be tackler → Kick to Wing by Plant → Defensive mark by Moir! Moir. Wins the marking contest.
Q4 2:06 left: OUTLAWS: Defence – Kick to Wing by Toft → Spoiled by Upfield! Swinburne. Just wasn’t able to grab it cleanly → JAGUARS: Wing – Whistle blown by the referee → Coat hanger! 50m!! Free kick!! That’ll be fifty. Jacob Guerard gives away the free kick. Opportunity for. Jaguars → McCue kicks, Smothered by Marou!! → Off the toes!! Cecilia. Onto the ball → Hit the post, 1 behind by Cecilia! Looks like a goal… No! He’s hit the post! Jaguars. Too good today. 1 behind for Jaguars.
Jaguars 5.4 (34) lead Outlaws 3.4 (22)
FULL TIME
There’s the siren!! Rejoice and jubilation for the winners. Hands on heads despair for the losers. What a shattering loss. It’s been a hard-fought battle, but the Jaguars managed to hold onto their lead and secure the victory after kicking three crucial goals during the third quarter. Jackson Cecilia made significant contributions with two of those goals, finishing with three for the match. Additionally, Brodie Harney added two goals of his own to help the Jaguars secure the win by 12 points.
Hamish Moir maintained an impressive kick accuracy of 80%. Despite being just 20 years old, the right winger demonstrated his aerial prowess with two stunning marks and contributed significantly with three kicks inside 50, playing a crucial role in leading his team to victory tonight. Moir’s performance proved pivotal and paved the way for the Jaguars along the boundary line.
Veteran Darcy Pelloe showcased his experience with five marks and provided crucial ball movement from within the centre square, racking up 9 disposals for the match. Despite his efforts however, the midfielder’s actual hit rate from attempted kicks was only 50% as he struggled to find his intended targets.
Despite the result, the Jaguars will be concerned about the fitness of Flynn Dynon after the Queenslander was forced off the field following a nasty collision with the Outlaws’ ruckman Toby Plant. With Jake Kleeberg already sidelined due to a damaged spine, another injured ruck could pose a significant challenge for the team as they approach the finals.
Emergency substitute Charlie Dwyer showed great determination despite the challenging task of facing the towering Toby Plant in the ruck. However, he struggled to make a significant impact, managing just one accurate kick and handball from his 8 disposals in what proved to be an uphill battle for him.
It’s a disappointing result for the Outlaws, who have now suffered their fourth consecutive defeat. Amidst the setback, Jack Gipps showcased his influence out wide, delivering six kicks inside 50. Having avoided a serious shoulder injury, the 22-year-old Victorian also contributed with two spoils and two marks, one of which was defensive. Despite the team’s struggles, Gipps’ performance highlights his potential and resilience on the field.
On the opposite wing, Charlie Swinburne managed to secure 75% of marks, showcasing his aerial prowess. However, he struggled to convert those marks into effective forward movement, with just one kick out of four finding his intended target. This drop in precision sees his kick accuracy for the season fall from 81% to just 70% as a result of this match.
Elsewhere, Jeremy Arundale found himself tightly marked by Jaguars veteran Darcy Pelloe, limiting his impact on the game as the pair engaged in a significant matchup. Unlike Pelloe however, Arundale demonstrated accuracy with every one of his 5 disposals, accompanied by 2 spoils and 2 intercept marks. Despite the defensive pressure, the experienced inside midfielder managed to make his presence felt, showcasing his efficiency whenever he had possession of the ball.
There will undoubtedly be questions raised concerning Outlaws captain Joseph Grainger‘s form following this match. Grainger managed to score just 2 goals from 10 set shots tonight. As one of the team’s key forwards, his accuracy has been lacking. The 38-year-old holds a kick accuracy of just 60% from 55 kicks this season, resulting in just 12 goals with 21 behinds. Grainger will likely need to address this inconsistency to improve his contribution to the team’s scoring efforts.
“After today’s performance, I can’t help but feel disappointed in myself. I let my team down with those missed opportunities, and I take full responsibility for that,” said Grainger after the game. “I might not have had my best day on the field, but that’s not going to define me. I’ll take this setback, learn from it, and come back stronger. I’ll keep pushing forward, because in this absurd world, there’s always something incredible waiting just around the corner.”
Final Score: Jaguars 5.4 (34) def Outlaws 3.4 (22) by 12 points
MATCH STATS
Outlaws Stats
Goals – 3
Behinds – 4
Disposals – 48
Kicks – 38
Handballs – 10
Contested Possessions – 36
Kick Efficiency – 55.26%
Disposal Efficiency – 64.58%
Marks – 17
Marks Inside 50 – 10
Contested Marks – 13
Marking Efficiency – 65.38%
Tackles – 4
Clearances – 6
Free Kicks – 2
Inside 50s – 15
Hitouts – 6
Interchanges – 0
Jaguars Stats
Goals – 5
Behinds – 4
Disposals – 49
Kicks – 39
Handballs – 10
Contested Possessions – 41
Kick Efficiency – 55.00%
Disposal Efficiency – 64.00%
Marks – 17
Marks Inside 50 – 7
Contested Marks – 15
Marking Efficiency – 62.96%
Tackles – 2
Clearances – 3
Free Kicks – 3
Inside 50s – 13
Hitouts – 6
Interchanges – 1
Man of the Match: Hamish Moir (Jaguars)
Top Player Performances
Goalkickers – Cecilia 3 | Grainger 2 | Harney 2 | Lovell 1
Behinds – Grainger 4 | Cecilia 3 | Harney 1
Kicks – Grainger 10 | Cecilia 8 | Pelloe 8 | Dwyer 7
Handballs – Nock 4 | Plant 4 | Rickards 3 | Windsor 3
Disposals – Grainger 10 | Pelloe 9 | Plant 9 | Cecilia 8
Marks – Grainger 10 | Cecilia 7 | Pelloe 5 | Swinburne 3
Tackles – Farrelly 3 | Ida 2 | Arundale 1
A commendable effort from both teams, but ultimately, it’s the Jaguars who emerge triumphant tonight. This win puts them up into second place on the ladder, ahead of the Serpents for now. It’s been a stellar season for the Jaguars thus far, with their only defeat coming at the hands of the ladder-leading Kings. They’ve shown resilience and determination, and tonight’s victory further solidifies their position as contenders in the competition.
Meanwhile, the Outlaws remain second-last on the ladder following yet another disappointing loss. It’s a tough situation for the team, and it’s clear that they’ll need something truly exceptional to turn their season around and propel them into finals contention.
BREAKING NEWS: Dynamos captain set to retire at season’s end
In a bittersweet moment for both fans and the football world, Samuel Ratten, the beloved captain of the Dynamos, has announced his retirement from the Pocket Football League. At 38 years of age, Ratten’s decision to hang up his boots marks the end of an era, leaving an indelible legacy in the Pocket Football League.
Ratten, who proudly donned the number 23 shirt and hails from Victoria, entered the Pocket Football League with a path that was far from conventional. Before embarking on his illustrious football career, he had plans to work as a glazier. However, fate had different plans in store for this determined athlete.
Ratten’s journey to stardom is a testament to his unwavering dedication and passion for the sport. He was originally chosen with pick #67 in the National Draft, an underdog in the truest sense. Little did anyone know that this small forward from Victoria would go on to carve out a remarkable career in Australian rules football.
His early career showcased a player who was anything but average. Ratten’s exceptional work ethic and commitment to the game set him apart. As a small forward, he brought a unique spark to the Dynamos’ attack with exceptional speed, agility, and a keen eye for goal. His game-reading abilities and innate football intelligence were qualities that made him a standout performer on the field.
Yet, it wasn’t only his skills on the field that earned him a place in the hearts of fans. As the captain of the Dynamos, Ratten’s leadership was an integral part of the team’s success. He led by example, earning the respect of his teammates and opponents alike. His sportsmanship, dedication, and his ability to inspire those around him were qualities that endeared him to fans across the country.
Throughout his career, Ratten has amassed an impressive collection of accolades, including multiple All-Australian selections and a best and fairest award. He was a vital cog in the Dynamos’ success, with his contributions often proving decisive in critical moments.
As Samuel Ratten bids farewell to the Pocket Football League, he leaves behind a rich legacy and a lasting impact on the sport. His journey from a glazier apprentice to a respected captain serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes. It’s a reminder that with determination and perseverance, dreams can indeed become reality.
Although Ratten’s retirement signals a change of guard, his impact on the sport will remain everlasting. As he hangs up his boots, the Pocket Football League community joins together to applaud and celebrate the remarkable career of Samuel Ratten, a legend who will forever hold a special place in the hearts of football enthusiasts across the nation.
Friday, November 12, 2021
Rangers vs. Dynamos
Pocket Stadium
Anticipation is building ahead of this decisive clash between the Rangers and Dynamos, with both teams vying for crucial points to boost their finals chances. Rangers have a point to prove coming off two consecutive losses, while the Dynamos aim to improve their 50/50 record with a victory. We are all set for a fiercely competitive match, and we expect an exciting battle between these two determined teams today.
Rangers captain Sebastian Reynolds had a scare last week when he sustained a knock to his lower leg early in the match against the Jaguars. The 38-year-old tried his best to walk it off, but the pain was simply too much, and he was taken from the field by the team’s doctors and trainers. However, staff at the Rangers confirmed that this was merely a precautionary measure.
Elsewhere for the Rangers, veteran forward Sebastian Bamford will spearhead the attack, looking to increase his tally of 10 goals for the season. The experienced 35-year-old Queenslander will need to be clinical in front of goal to capitalize on his team’s forward entries and contribute significantly to their scoring efforts.
Harrison Hindley takes his place out wide for the Rangers, while 21-year-old Anthony Mewton-Wood remains a pivotal presence in the middle of the ground. Mewton-Wood has been exceptional, tallying 42 disposals so far this season, making him one of the top midfielders in the league in terms of possessions.
The big news for the Dynamos this week was the announcement that veteran captain Samuel Ratten would be hanging up his boots at the end of the season. Ratten has been a key player for the Dynamos for many years, and his absence will be felt deeply by the team. He’ll be joined in attack by young guns Jack Simons and Cody McEvilly.
Inside midfielder Isaac Curmi boasts an impressive Disposal Efficiency, ranking behind only Serpents’ Nate Male among midfielders in the league. Meanwhile, Jasper Roderic has excelled in taking marks this season, maintaining an outstanding success rate of 85%. 36-year-old Bailey Scullin will make another appearance for the Dynamos, filling in as Connor Diesendorf continues his recovery from a dislocated knee.
Finally, it’s a family showdown as brothers Callum Porcelli and David Porcelli face off for their respective teams. Callum takes charge of the ruck duties for this match, while David aims to make an impact just outside the midfield corridor. Both should be easy to spot in their long-sleeve guernseys.
We’ll have to wait and see who comes out on top as the players burst through the banner and out onto the park. The current temperature is 24°, with a chance of rain after 2:15 am. However, that shouldn’t affect the game. This promises to be an exciting match!
Team Lineups
Rangers –
FB: [22] Brayden Bullen, [20] Dylan Pritchard, [7] Blake McDowell
C: [15] Harrison Hindley, [19] Anthony Mewton-Wood, [10] Sebastian Reynolds (c)
FF: [17] Sebastian Bamford, [14] Marcus Dilke, [21] Taj Cheney
FOL: [11] Patrick Charles, [3] David Porcelli, [23] Spencer Haly
I/C: [8] Lachlan Macalister.
Dynamos –
FB: [6] Noah Arkwookerum, [24] Hugo Haire, [1] Tristan Prentice
C: [9] Jasper Roderic, [20] Isaac Curmi, [22] Koby McAdam
FF: [8] Jack Simons, [4] Cody McEvilly, [23] Samuel Ratten (c)
FOL: [21] Callum Porcelli, [13] Jeremy Bryan, [3] Bailey Scullin
I/C: [ ]
First Quarter
HIGHLIGHTS
Q1 3:08 left: DYNAMOS: Midfield – Handball to Wing by Callum Porcelli → Fumble by Roderic! Tripped on his own shadow → RANGERS: Wing – Kick to Forward by Hindley → Screamer by Bamford! Definitely a contender for mark of the day → Goal by Bamford!! Look at that. He’s put it through! Gets his first. Goal for Rangers!
Rangers 1.0 (6) lead Dynamos 0.0 (0)
Q1 2:35 left: Ruckmen, conscious of where their teammates are. They wait for the bounce. Bounce to restart play. Hip & shoulder!! Charles. Onto the ball → RANGERS: Midfield – Run & bounce by Charles → Kick to Wing → Spoiled by McAdam! Misses the intended target → DYNAMOS: Wing – Whistle blown by the referee → Coat hanger! 50m!! That’ll be fifty. Spencer Haly gives away the free kick. A pretty safe bet from this position. 35 metres from home → Hit the post, 1 behind by Scullin! Nice kick. Just a little too wide and bounces off the post. Dynamos. Trailing. 1 behind for Dynamos.
Rangers 1.0 (6) lead Dynamos 0.1 (1)
Q1 1:50 left: RANGERS: Midfield – Torpedo to Forward by Mewton-Wood → Defensive mark by Arkwookerum! Marks well and immediately plays on → DYNAMOS: Defence – Arkwookerum tackled by Cheney! → Off the toes!! He shrugs the tackle off there → Short pass to Midfield by Haire → Screamer by Curmi!! Curmi. Soars to take the high mark → Torpedo to Forward by Curmi → Screamer by Simons!! That’s a brilliant leap! 40 metres from home → Goal by Simons!! Simons. Gun barrel straight. Get his first. And suddenly it’s. Dynamos. By a point. Goal for Dynamos!
Dynamos 1.1 (7) lead Rangers 1.0 (6)
Q1 0:50 left: RANGERS: Defence – Long Handball to Midfield by Pritchard → Run & bounce by Mewton-Wood → Run & bounce. Bounces again → Kick to Forward → Punched away by Arkwookerum! → Picked up by Haire!! Haire. Arches the back and accelerates away → DYNAMOS: Defence – Haire tackled by Cheney! → Hip & shoulder!! Dilke. Wins the hard ball → Goal by Dilke!! Pinpoint accuracy from. Dilke. Dilke. Gets the goal. Rangers. Back in front. Goal for Rangers!
Rangers 2.0 (12) lead Dynamos 1.1 (7)
QUARTER TIME
Score: Rangers 2.0 (12) lead Dynamos 1.1 (7)
Second Quarter
HIGHLIGHTS
Q2 3:27 left: RANGERS: Defence – Long Handball to Midfield by Pritchard → Run & bounce by Mewton-Wood → Kick to Wing → Defensive mark by McAdam! Mark taken by. McAdam → DYNAMOS: Wing – Long range kick to Forward by McAdam. Kicks the cover off the ball! → Marked by Simons! Opportunity for. Dynamos → Goal by Simons!! Simons. Shoots it. Goal! There it goes. What a magnificent effort! That’s two now. He’s playing well. He loves it! Dynamos. Scoring. Goal for Dynamos!
Dynamos 2.2 (14) lead Rangers 2.0 (12)
Q2 2:55 left: Both rucks have a fair shot at this one. Picked up by Callum Porcelli!! → DYNAMOS: Midfield – Kick to Wing by Callum Porcelli → Defensive mark by Reynolds! Reynolds. Wins the marking contest → RANGERS: Wing – Whistle blown by the referee → Push in the back by Scullin! Free kick!! That was the right decision → Run & bounce by Reynolds. Elected to play on. Good decision → Kick to Forward by Reynolds → Good mark by Bamford! The mark taken by. Bamford. Inside his 50 → Goal by Bamford!! It’s a big kick…it’s a mammoth kick…it’s a goal!! Gets his second. Rangers. Back in front. Goal for Rangers!
Rangers 3.0 (18) lead Dynamos 2.2 (14)
Q2 2:10 left: Already some argy-bargy going on. There’s a bit of feeling out there! Bounce to restart play! Steps & spins!! → Run & bounce by Callum Porcelli → Whistle blown by the referee → Callum Porcelli dropping the ball! → RANGERS: Midfield – Whistle blown by the referee → Push in the back by Curmi! Free kick!! In the back. Umpire doesn’t want to hear it. And tensions escalate here as midfielders Isaac Curmi and Anthony Mewton-Wood exchange heated words. Terrible scenes as the players grab each other’s guernseys, leading to a physical altercation that needs to be quickly broken up by officials. Curmi doesn’t like it, but it’s a free kick for Mewton-Wood…
Kick to Forward by Mewton-Wood → Nice grab by Bamford! A good mark under the circumstances. And the fans are riding this one home → Out of bounds by Bamford!! Out of bounds it goes. And they’re at it again!! Another scuffle! I think Curmi made a comment about Bamford’s sprayed shot, and Mewton-Wood leaps to his team-mate’s defence. This is getting nasty!
Q2 0:15 left: RANGERS: Defence – Handball to Defence by Bullen → Long Handball to Midfield by Pritchard → Whistle blown by the referee → Push in the back by Curmi! Free kick!! In the back. You can’t help but feel that was deliberate… And they’re at it again!! The ugly scenes between direct opponents Curmi and Mewton-Wood continue as the siren sounds, prompting their teammates to intervene and separate the pair as they head back to the rooms. This is starting to get out of hand!
HALF TIME
It’s been an intense back-and-forth battle so far. Rangers go into the break with a narrow lead as the match reached boiling point in that second quarter. Tensions escalated with some heated exchanges on the field between midfielders Isaac Curmi and Anthony Mewton-Wood. Some obvious frustration shown by Curmi as he gave away a pair of push in the back calls to his direct opponent. The coaches have a crucial opportunity during this break to calm their players down, address the situation, and prepare them for the remainder of the match.
Hopefully, the on-field altercation doesn’t overshadow what has otherwise been a tightly-contested match. Neither side has been able to seize control completely. The Rangers have capitalized on seven inside 50s to hold a narrow 4-point lead at the main break. Impressively, Anthony Mewton-Wood has contributed four of those inside 50s, showcasing his influence on the game.
On the wings, captain Sebastian Reynolds has contributed with two disposals and a defensive mark, displaying his leadership on the field. Meanwhile, Harrison Hindley has taken two marks but has only hit the target once from his 4 disposals. Hindley will need to improve his accuracy and impact if the Rangers intend to assert their authority in this match.
For the Dynamos, Callum Porcelli has dominated the ruck contests, winning all but one from the centre bounce. Despite appearing to hurt his ankle early in the game, Porcelli has soldiered on and has contributed 5 disposals and two inside 50s, showcasing his determination and leadership as he looks to pave the way for his team.
18-year-old Noah Arkwookerum continues to shine in defence, adding 2 spoils and a defensive mark to his impressive performances this season. Out wide, Koby McAdam has been effective, contributing significantly to the team’s efforts with 2 marks, 2 disposals, 1 spoil, and a goal assist.
However, the same can’t be said for Jasper Roderic as he has given away a free kick for dropping the ball, fumbled possession, and missed his intended target with one kick. Roderic will need to show improvement in the second half for the Dynamos to mount a comeback in this match. It remains to be seen what twists and turns are in store for the rest of this match.
Score: Rangers 3.0 (18) lead Dynamos 2.2 (14)
Third Quarter
HIGHLIGHTS
Q3 3:57 left: DYNAMOS: Defence – Run & bounce by Haire → Run & bounce. Bounces with annoyance → Short pass to Midfield → Nice grab by Curmi! → Whistle blown by the referee → Push in the back by Mewton-Wood! Free kick!! In the back. This time by Mewton-Wood! Isaac Curmi rises to his feet and fixes a ferocious stare at Mewton-Wood → Kick to Forward by Curmi → Nice grab by Simons! It was all. Simons. There. Simons. Running in. About to kick → Hit the post, 1 behind by Simons! It’s hit the post. That’s a behind. A wasted opportunity. 1 behind for Dynamos.
Rangers 3.0 (18) lead Dynamos 2.3 (15)
Q3 2:42 left: RANGERS: Defence – Kick to Wing by Pritchard → Punched away by Roderic! → Picked up by Bryan!! He gets rid of his tackler like you would a telemarketer, with absolute speed and disregard → Run & bounce by Bryan → Long range kick to Forward by Bryan. The wind must have carried that one. A nice long kick! → Marked by Simons! Simons. Runs in → Out of bounds by Simons!! You could see that happening right after it left his boot.
Q3 1:41 left: RANGERS: Defence – Short pass to Midfield by Bullen → Defensive mark by Curmi! Great mark under pressure → DYNAMOS: Midfield – Handball to Wing by Curmi → Whistle blown by the referee → Coat hanger! 50m!! Free kick!! That’ll be fifty. Sebastian Reynolds gives away the free kick. It’s an understatement to say they really need this one → McAdam kicks, Smothered by Bullen!! → Off the toes!! → Out of bounds by Simons!! The kick spins off in the wrong direction. Dynamos. Trailing.
Q3 0:23 left: DYNAMOS: Defence – Short pass to Midfield by Arkwookerum → Defensive mark by Mewton-Wood! Takes the mark uncontested → RANGERS: Midfield – Handball to Wing by Mewton-Wood. Mewton-Wood. Goes by hand → Kick to Forward by Reynolds → Defensive mark by Arkwookerum! Mark taken by. Arkwookerum. Inside the defensive 50. And the siren sounds for the end of the third quarter!
QUARTER TIME
Score: Rangers 3.0 (18) lead Dynamos 2.3 (15)
Final Quarter
HIGHLIGHTS
Q4 5:00 left: The players are starting to feel the strain of the first three quarters now. Bounce to restart play! Picked up by Callum Porcelli!! → DYNAMOS: Midfield – Kick to Forward by Callum Porcelli. Loads up with a high kick → Punched away by Bullen! → Steps & spins!! McEvilly. Zigs and zags → Goal by McEvilly!! Look at that. He’s put it through! Dynamos. Are playing better footy here. Dynamos. Back in front. Dynamos. Lead by. 3. points. Goal for Dynamos!
Dynamos 3.3 (21) lead Rangers 3.0 (18)
Q4 3:59 left: RANGERS: Midfield – Run & bounce by Mewton-Wood. Mewton-Wood. Evades. He prays to the god of blessed acceleration → Run & bounce. Another bounce → Whistle blown by the referee → Mewton-Wood looks injured! Things not looking good for. Mewton-Wood. He is down for the count!! Concerns arise for Mewton-Wood’s well-being as he remains down on the ground. Showing sportsmanship, Isaac Curmi assists Mewton-Wood to his feet, to the delight of the crowd. Things appear to have settled between the two. Quick interchange here!
Interchange: Anthony Mewton-Wood → Lachlan Macalister (Rangers)
Q4 3:43 left: RANGERS: Midfield – Torpedo to Forward by Macalister. He punishes the ball with that kick! His first possession → Good mark by Bamford! Bamford. With the catch → Hit the post, 1 behind by Bamford! Looks like a goal… No! He’s hit the post! Couldn’t close the deal and it’s a point. Rangers. Trailing. 1 behind for Rangers.
Dynamos 3.3 (21) lead Rangers 3.1 (19)
Q4 2:40 left: DYNAMOS: Wing – Run & bounce by Bryan → Whistle blown by the referee → Coat hanger! 50m!! Free kick!! That’ll be fifty. David Porcelli gives away the free kick. If he sinks this, it’s going to be all the more difficult for the opposition to catch up → Hit the post, 1 behind by Bryan! Ahh, Casper the unfriendly post. Dynamos. Stretch their lead. 1 behind for Dynamos.
Dynamos 3.4 (22) lead Rangers 3.1 (19)
Q4 2:00 left: DYNAMOS: Midfield – Kick to Forward by Curmi → Punched away by Bullen! → Quick hands!! → McEvilly kicks, Smothered by Pritchard!! Pritchard. With the smother → Hip & shoulder!! → RANGERS: Defence – McDowell tackled by Ratten! → Picked up by McEvilly!! McEvilly. Leaves skid marks as he outruns. Bullen → Hit the post, 1 behind by McEvilly! Off by a matter of centimetres! Dynamos. Just starting to create a buffer. 1 behind for Dynamos.
Dynamos 3.5 (23) lead Rangers 3.1 (19)
Q4 0:35 left: RANGERS: Midfield – Run & bounce by Macalister → Kick to Forward → Screamer by Bamford! Amazing elevation! His hair is going to need defrosting! Has the chance to score the winning goal → Bamford kicks, Smothered by Arkwookerum!! The kick goes straight into the body of. Arkwookerum → Hip & shoulder!! Haire. Wins the hard ball → DYNAMOS: Defence – Haire tackled by Cheney! → Off the toes!! Prentice. Onto the ball → Handball to Defence by Prentice. Handpasses it. And there’s the siren!!
FULL TIME
There’s the siren!! Rejoice and jubilation for the winners. Hands on heads despair for the losers. What a shattering loss. What an incredible finish we’ve witnessed today! It’s been one of the closest matches in the Pocket Football League this season, and the Dynamos have emerged victorious by just 4 points! A game-saving smother from Noah Arkwookerum right at the death prevented Sebastian Bamford from kicking what could have been the winning goal. Dynamos sneak over the line in a thrilling conclusion to an intense match!
That was a very low-scoring second half of football, with just 10 points being scored. Unfortunately for the Rangers, the Dynamos managed to score nine of those points, which proved to be enough to secure them the victory. 18-year-old forward Cody McEvilly quickly became a hero by seizing the opportunity and snapping a crucial goal early in the final quarter, giving the Dynamos a lead they would not relinquish.
Ruckman Callum Porcelli delivered a stellar performance for the Dynamos, tallying 8 disposals, 8 hitouts, five inside 50s, and five clearances. The 33-year-old utilized his height advantage and experience to dominate the majority of centre bounce stoppages against 19-year-old Patrick Charles, winning all but two contests. Porcelli’s contributions were crucial in securing the team’s victory today.
Despite conceding four free kicks, Isaac Curmi made a significant impact in today’s match. The inside midfielder contributed with 8 disposals, 7 marks, five inside 50s, two spoils, 11 contested possessions, and a goal assist, playing a pivotal role in guiding the Dynamos to victory.
Noah Arkwookerum and Hugo Haire were rock-solid in defence for the Dynamos, each contributing four disposals. Arkwookerum was particularly impressive again with four intercept marks, showcasing some strong defensive efforts throughout the match. The pair played exceptionally well in their defensive roles.
It’s a disappointing result for the Rangers, who have now suffered three consecutive losses. Sebastian Bamford showcased his experience and skill by using the ball effectively, taking five marks at an impressive 71% efficiency. The 35-year-old Queenslander demonstrated his capabilities by contributing 2 goals and 1 behind in his team’s losing effort, bringing his total goals for the season to 12. Despite the team’s struggles, Bamford continues to show his value on the field.
Full back Brayden Bullen displayed exceptional defensive skills for the Rangers, repeatedly spoiling and punching the red Sherrin away from Dynamos forward Jack Simons on eight separate occasions. Despite facing a slight height disadvantage, Bullen’s experience shone through as he managed to reel in 3 defensive marks throughout the match. His contributions were crucial in thwarting the opposition’s forward advances.
The injury to Anthony Mewton-Wood compounded the challenges for the Rangers in the final quarter. The 21-year-old centre appeared to twist his ankle during a long carry of the football. Up until that point, Mewton-Wood had contributed 9 disposals, 4 marks, and five inside 50s.
Earlier in the match, he had a confrontation with Isaac Curmi, exchanging heated words after a push in the back call. However, tensions seemed to ease as Curmi displayed great sportsmanship by helping Mewton-Wood to his feet. Hopefully, the injury isn’t severe, and Mewton-Wood can recover quickly. His absence would be a huge blow for the Rangers’ finals chances.
Final Score: Dynamos 3.5 (23) def Rangers 3.1 (19) by 4 points
MATCH STATS
Rangers Stats
Goals – 3
Behinds – 1
Disposals – 43
Kicks – 32
Handballs – 11
Contested Possessions – 37
Kick Efficiency – 37.50%
Disposal Efficiency – 53.49%
Marks – 17
Marks Inside 50 – 5
Contested Marks – 17
Marking Efficiency – 62.96%
Tackles – 3
Clearances – 2
Free Kicks – 7
Inside 50s – 12
Hitouts – 2
Interchanges – 1
Dynamos Stats
Goals – 3
Behinds – 5
Disposals – 46
Kicks – 39
Handballs – 7
Contested Possessions – 51
Kick Efficiency – 46.15%
Disposal Efficiency – 54.35%
Marks – 19
Marks Inside 50 – 5
Contested Marks – 17
Marking Efficiency – 70.37%
Tackles – 3
Clearances – 5
Free Kicks – 7
Inside 50s – 16
Hitouts – 8
Interchanges – 0
Man of the Match: Isaac Curmi (Dynamos)
Top Player Performances
Goalkickers – Bamford 2 | Simons 2 | Dilke 1 | McEvilly 1
Behinds – McEvilly 2 | Bryan 1 | Bamford 1 | Scullin 1
Kicks – Curmi 6 | Simons 6 | Mewton-Wood 6 | C Porcelli 6
Handballs – Pritchard 4 | Bullen 3 | Mewton-Wood 3 | Arkwookerum 2
Disposals – Mewton-Wood 9 | Curmi 8 | C Porcelli 8 | Bullen 7
Marks – Curmi 7 | Bamford 5 | Simons 5 | Arkwookerum 4
Tackles – Cheney 3 | Ratten 3
Two consecutive victories have put the Dynamos on track to play finals footy. For now, they move ahead of the Cobras into fourth place on the ladder. However, the Cobras can go back level with them if they defeat the Bearcats on Sunday. The race for the finals spots is heating up!
Meanwhile, the Rangers will need to bounce back quickly and regroup for their upcoming matches. They remain seventh on the ladder, and only the top six teams advance. Their task will be more challenging if the sixth-place Coyotes defeat the Serpents tomorrow night. The Rangers will be hoping to avoid falling too far behind so that they can stay in contention for the finals.
More action in store tomorrow night as old rivals, the Serpents and the Coyotes, clash in front of what is expected to be a large and enthusiastic crowd. Stay tuned for an exciting matchup!
Saturday, November 13, 2021
Serpents vs. Coyotes
Pocket Stadium
With a revved-up crowd in attendance, one of the oldest rivalries in the game reignites as old foes, the Serpents and the Coyotes, prepare to clash in what promises to be a thrilling encounter. It’s set to be an epic Saturday night of football as these two sides go head-to-head in this highly anticipated showdown. Both these teams are in the Top 6. This should be a quality match.
The Coyotes are flying at the moment. Their form is as good as anyone in the competition, having won their last two matches. They will be aiming for a crucial victory in today’s match to keep their hopes of making the finals alive. Currently sitting on the bubble in 6th place on the ladder, every game is crucial for their finals aspirations. Their pressure and their confidence should just give them the edge.
However, they’ll face off against their long-established rivals, the Serpents, who have also shown good form. The Serpents will be eager to bounce back this week after their first loss of the season to the Dynamos last weekend. Expect an exciting game today, as both teams vie for victory.
Serpents were the walking wounded during that match against the Dynamos, with no less than four of their established midfielders forced off the field due to injury concerns. They will be without both Nate “Friest” Male, who suffered an injured arm, and Hamish Whittingham, who twisted his ankle. However, winger Christian Barff and ruckman Mitchell Fernie managed to avoid serious injury and will be available for selection.
This means that 32-year-old Will Priestley will come into the side after delivering an impressive performance in midfield, tallying 6 disposals and 3 marks, including two crucial intercept marks. Elsewhere, Patrick Camm will be aiming to add to his tally of 11 goals this season, while captain Callum Vanthoff will bring valuable experience on the wing for the Serpents.
Here’s what Vanthoff had to say following last week’s match: “It’s been a challenging week for us, losing some key players to injury and suffering our first defeat of the season. However, adversity only makes us stronger, and I have full confidence in the resilience and determination of our team. We’ll rally together, support each other, and come back even stronger in the next match.”
Despite putting in a dominant display against a disappointing Bearcats outfit, the Coyotes had an injury scare of their own last week. However, the team confirmed that winger Lincoln Backhaus has been cleared to play after x-rays showed that he did not suffer any broken ribs, as was initially suspected.
Coyotes captain Lincoln Skelton will start in midfield following his announcement last week that he would retire from the sport at the end of the season. The left-footed veteran will be supported by Aboriginal player Jonathan Alngindabu out wide, adding strength and speed to their lineup. This promises to be an entertaining matchup between two formidable sides.
Team Lineups
Serpents –
FB: [1] Hudson Bennett, [7] Jack Supple, [21] Jackson Nanya
C: [15] Callum Vanthoff (c), [29] Will Priestley, [12] Christian Barff
FF: [22] Patrick Camm, [13] Jackson Sadler, [6] Callum Blesing
FOL: [24] Mitchell Fernie, [23]. Aiden Barber, [25] Cody Glynn
I/C: [27] Brock Marlay, [28] Ryder Chumleigh.
Coyotes –
FB: [8] Aidan Buggy, [11] Bailey Drake, [14] Seth Bromilow
C: [19] Lincoln Backhaus, [22] Lincoln Skelton (c), [15] Jonathan Alngindabu
FF: [6] Angus Mayne, [20] Archie Buley, [21] Aiden Carson
FOL: [7] Gabriel Barnes, [12] Rory Schramm, [18] Cooper Helmore
I/C: [16] Jonathan Northcott.
First Quarter
HIGHLIGHTS
Q1 4:23 left: SERPENTS: Midfield – Whistle blown by the referee → Priestley holding the ball! Crowd yells, “Ball!” and the umpire agrees → COYOTES: Midfield – Kick to Forward by Skelton → Screamer by Mayne! That’s a brilliant leap! → 1 behind by Mayne! Couldn’t close the deal and it’s a point. 1 behind for Coyotes.
Coyotes 0.1 (1) lead Serpents 0.0 (0)
Q1 3:52 left: Searching for his teammates. SERPENTS: Defence – Bennett tackled by Carson! Runs into a defender → Buley barges through the pack! Buley. Has the ball → COYOTES: Forward – Out of bounds by Buley!! You could see that happening right after it left his boot.
Q1 3:08 left: SERPENTS: Wing – Fumble by Vanthoff! Bounce goes awry → COYOTES: Wing – Kick to Midfield by Backhaus → Punched away by Priestley! → Steps & spins!! Breaks the tackle. That was a gutsy effort → Torpedo to Forward by Barnes. Gets some power behind that one → Good mark by Mayne! → 1 behind by Mayne! Misses the goal and goes through for a behind. Coyotes. Stretch their lead. 1 behind for Coyotes.
Coyotes 0.2 (2) lead Serpents 0.0 (0)
Q1 1:47 left: SERPENTS: Wing – Kick to Midfield by Barff → Defensive mark by Skelton! Mark taken by. Skelton → COYOTES: Midfield – Kick to Forward by Skelton → Screamer by Mayne! Whoa! What a mark! Coyotes. Have really been hitting their targets well → Out of bounds by Mayne!! Out of bounds it goes.
Q1 0:57 left: SERPENTS: Wing – Kick to Midfield by Barff → Punched away by Barnes! → Hip & shoulder!! Skelton. Is starting to get a lot of the football. I think it coincides with the crowd booing him. My advice to the crowd would be: “Shut up!” → COYOTES: Midfield – Torpedo to Forward by Skelton → Nice grab by Mayne! That shows real commitment! 30 metres from home. Mayne. Running in. About to kick → Out of bounds by Mayne!! The kick spins off in the wrong direction.
QUARTER TIME
Score: Coyotes 0.2 (2) lead Serpents 0.0 (0)
Second Quarter
HIGHLIGHTS
Q2 5:00 left: Ruckmen, conscious of where their teammates are. They wait for the bounce. The bounce straight down. Picked up by Barnes!! → COYOTES: Midfield – Kick to Wing by Barnes → Spoiled by Vanthoff! Well, he gave it a shot → SERPENTS: Wing – Long range kick to Forward by Barber. Kick travels nicely → Marked by Camm! Mark taken by. Camm. Inside his 50. Opportunity for. Serpents. 31 metres from home → Goal by Camm!! Camm. You are a star! Gets his first. Hi-fives all-round! And suddenly it’s. Serpents. By. 4. Points. Goal for Serpents!
Serpents 1.0 (6) lead Coyotes 0.2 (2)
Q2 1:34 left: COYOTES: Defence – Run & bounce by Drake → Long handball to Midfield. Nice disposal → Kick to Forward by Skelton. That kick, centimetre perfect from. Skelton → Screamer by Mayne! Mayne. Soars to take the high mark. Chalk it up now. No chance he can miss this one → Goal by Mayne!! Mayne. Runs in. Pinpoint accuracy from. Mayne. That’s his first. Coyotes. In front. Goal for Coyotes!
Coyotes 1.2 (8) lead Serpents 1.0 (6)
Q2 1:07 left: Both rucks have a fair shot at this one. Quick hands!! → SERPENTS: Midfield – Kick to Wing by Fernie → Good mark by Vanthoff! → Run & bounce by Vanthoff → Whistle blown by the referee → Coat hanger! 50m!! Free kick!! That’ll be fifty. Lincoln Backhaus gives away the free kick. A pretty safe bet from this position. 30 metres from home → Goal by Vanthoff!! Goodnight nurse. It’s through for a goal! Serpents. Scoring. Goal for Serpents!
Serpents 2.0 (12) lead Coyotes 1.2 (8)
Q2 0:27 left: The umpire has the ball, ready for the centre bounce. Look at that bounce! Quick hands!! Barnes. Comes away with the ball → COYOTES: Midfield – Whistle blown by the referee → Push in the back by Fernie! Free kick!! Push in the back. Free kick for Coyotes → Torpedo to Forward by Barnes → Good mark by Mayne! Head down now as he goes in for the goal → Goal by Mayne!! The kick just clears the line for a goal! That’s his second. Coyotes. Back in front. The Coyotes lead by. 2. Points. Goal for Coyotes!
Coyotes 2.2 (14) lead Serpents 2.0 (12)
HALF TIME
Big game. Big stage. And a massive moment in this game as Angus Mayne kicks his second goal to give the Coyotes a slender 2-point lead heading into half time. The Coyotes appeared to have the early advantage following some crucial errors by their opponents, but the Serpents staged an impressive resurgence in the second quarter, largely fuelled by their captain, Callum Vanthoff.
The Coyotes’ midfielders displayed their dominance by outclassing their opponents in the opening term, effectively shutting down the Serpents and denying them any entries inside the forward 50 throughout the entire first quarter. However, the Coyotes’ forwards struggled to capitalize fully on the Serpents’ mistakes, kicking just 2 behinds from five inside 50s in the first quarter.
Despite the Serpents’ resurgence in the second quarter, the Coyotes maintained their composure and made excellent use of the football, particularly playing through the corridor. Coyotes captain Lincoln Skelton (7 disposals and a defensive mark) and ruckman Gabriel Barnes (3 hitouts, 2 clearances) were instrumental in the Coyotes’ scoring efforts. As they head into the second half, the Coyotes will be looking to maintain their momentum and continue to shut down the Serpents as they aim for a third consecutive victory.
A number of fumbles at centre wing by Christian Barff and Callum Vanthoff proved costly for the Serpents during the first quarter. However, a crucial spoil by Vanthoff led to a great long-range kick from Aiden Barber, allowing Patrick Camm to put the Serpents on the board with their first goal. Vanthoff was in the thick of the action again as he made Lincoln Backhaus pay the full price from a 50-metre penalty following a high tackle.
Serpents will be disappointed to be going into the break behind, but they’ve got the players to be able to turn this around. In a game of high stakes and intense competition, both teams have shown they have what it takes to win. With the momentum swinging back and forth, it’s anyone’s game. Who will emerge victorious in this fierce battle between two rivals?
Score: Coyotes 2.2 (14) lead Serpents 2.0 (12)
Third Quarter
HIGHLIGHTS
Q3 4:02 left: COYOTES: Wing – Run & bounce by Helmore → Kick to Forward → Defensive mark by Bennett! Great mark under pressure → SERPENTS: Defence – Handball to Defence by Bennett → Handball to Defence by Supple → Handball to Defence by Nanya → Long handball to Midfield by Bennett → Torpedo to Forward by Priestley. That kick went so high, it ricocheted off the – dare I say it – Hubble Telescope cause that’s still up there! → Screamer by Camm! That man must have brought his own trampoline. Wonderful mark! → 1 behind by Camm! Off by a matter of centimetres! Point the difference. 1 behind for Serpents.
Coyotes 2.2 (14) lead Serpents 2.1 (13)
Q3 2:18 left: COYOTES: Defence – Kick to Wing by Bromilow → Defensive mark by Barff! He marks it and just keeps going → SERPENTS: Wing – Fumble by Barff! Tripped on his own shadow → COYOTES: Wing – Long range kick to Forward by Helmore. Sends it very high → Marked by Mayne! → Goal by Mayne!! Mayne. Shoots it. Nice kick! You can see it on his face. He’s happy with that effort! Three of the best. He’s putting on a clinic! Goal for Coyotes!
Coyotes 3.2 (20) lead Serpents 2.1 (13)
Q3 1:48 left: Ruckmen. Awaiting the bounce. Look at that bounce! Off the toes!! → SERPENTS: Midfield – Torpedo to Forward by Fernie. Has the ball and drives it long inside 50 → Punched away by Buggy! → Quick hands!! Sadler. Onto the ball → 1 behind by Sadler! That was a narrow miss. The lead is easily in reach for. Serpents. 1 behind for Serpents.
Coyotes 3.2 (20) lead Serpents 2.2 (14)
Q3 1:25 left: Quickly brings it back in. COYOTES: Defence – Buggy tackled by Blesing! Spins into trouble. Good use of the body by. Blesing → Hip & shoulder!! → SERPENTS: Forward – Goal by Sadler!! Sadler. Shows the goal umpire the right signal! The thing I like about this side is every player knows what he should be doing, and is doing it. Goal for Serpents!
Serpents 3.2 (20) tie Coyotes 3.2 (20)
QUARTER TIME
Score: Serpents 3.2 (20) tie Coyotes 3.2 (20)
Final Quarter
HIGHLIGHTS
Q4 5:00 left: The players are starting to feel the strain of the first three quarters now. Bounce to restart play! Quick hands!! → SERPENTS: Midfield – Run & bounce by Fernie → Whistle blown by the referee → Fernie looks injured! Things not looking good for. Fernie. There’s concern for ruckman Mitchell Fernie. He’s down on the ground and appears to be in considerable pain, grabbing at his left leg. He’s limping from the ground. The medical team is out to assess him. Quick interchange here!
Interchange: Mitchell Fernie → Ryder Chumleigh (Serpents)
Q4 4:13 left: SERPENTS: Defence – Short pass to Midfield by Bennett → Screamer by Priestley! Amazing elevation! His hair is going to need defrosting! → Whistle blown by the referee → Coat hanger! 50m!! Free kick!! That’ll be fifty. Lincoln Skelton gives away the free kick. Head down now as he goes in for the goal → Priestley kicks, Smothered by Buggy!! Buggy. With the block → Drake barges through the pack!!
Q4 3:32 left: COYOTES: Defence – Kick to Wing by Buggy → Punched away by Vanthoff! Misses the intended target → Picked up by Barber!! → SERPENTS: Wing – Fumble by Barber! Bounce goes awry → COYOTES: Wing – Long range kick to Forward by Schramm. Spots a teammate down the field and kicks it long → Marked by Mayne! → Hit the post, 1 behind by Mayne! Ahh, Casper the unfriendly post. Coyotes. By a point. 1 behind for Coyotes.
Coyotes 3.3 (21) lead Serpents 3.2 (20)
Q4 2:57 left: He may just play on to himself here. The options are few and far between at the moment. SERPENTS: Defence – Run & bounce by Bennett → Kick to Wing → Spoiled by Backhaus! → COYOTES: Wing – Run & bounce by Schramm → Long range kick to Forward. Goes long → Marked by Mayne! A pretty safe bet from this position. 45 metres from home → Out of bounds by Mayne!! The kick spins off in the wrong direction.
Q4 0:24 left: SERPENTS: Defence – Run & bounce by Bennett → Long handball to Midfield → Handball to Wing by Priestley → Kick to Midfield by Barff → Screamer by Chumleigh! Fantastic flight right there! We certainly hope he doesn’t suffer from vertigo → Torpedo to Forward by Chumleigh → Good mark by Camm! And there’s the siren!! A bit of conjecture over this one! The Coyotes don’t like it, but it’s going to be a kick after the siren for Patrick Camm! 45 metres from home. A goal to win it. A behind to tie… → Hit the post, 1 behind by Camm! Looks like a goal… No! He’s hit the post! The Serpents draw level. It’s a tie!!! 1 behind for Serpents.
Serpents 3.3 (21) tie Coyotes 3.3 (21)
FULL TIME
There’s the siren!! Hands on heads despair for Patrick Camm and the Serpents. His kick after the siren just drifts to the left and clatters into the post, drawing the game! A shattering moment for the 25-year-old, but what an outrageous way to finish this fiery clash! It’s the first-ever tie in the Pocket Football League!!
It was probably a fair result between the two sides in the end. Both teams made their mistakes, and both had the opportunity to really take the game by the scruff of the neck, but ultimately neither side was able to do so.
Key forward Angus Mayne led the attack for the Coyotes, kicking all three of their goals and contributing all 21 of their points. He is now the leading goal-scorer in the PFL this season. Mayne was aided superbly by his captain, Lincoln Skelton, and ruckman Gabriel Barnes, who were outstanding through the middle of the ground. However, Mayne’s inaccuracy in front of goal on three occasions prevented the Coyotes from truly gaining an edge.
Rory Schramm also added two incisive inside 50 entries to further press the Coyotes’ attacking efforts, while veteran Aidan Buggy again showcased his defensive prowess with two smothers, three spoils, and two defensive marks. They will be disappointed to come away with only a tie instead of a third consecutive victory. However, it’s been a remarkable turnaround for the team after defeats in their first three outings this season.
“Well, that’s a tough one to swallow,” said Coyotes captain Lincoln Skelton after the match. “We were so close to clinching that win, but credit to the Serpents, they fought tooth and nail until the very end. It’s disappointing to come away with just a draw, especially when we were ahead for most of the game, but that’s footy for you.
“We’ve got to take the positives from this match and learn from our mistakes. We showed some real determination out there today, and that’s something we can build on. I’m incredibly proud of the team and the way we’ve bounced back from those tough losses at the start of the season.
“Every game from here on out is crucial, and we’ve got to give it everything we’ve got. We’ll regroup during our bye next week, recharge our batteries, and come back even stronger for the remainder of the season.”
Serpents took every opportunity presented to them, scrapping all the way until the final siren. Their captain, Callum Vanthoff, took full advantage of a 50-metre penalty to kick his second goal of the season, while Jackson Sadler‘s right foot snap was the perfect follow-up to a ferocious Callum Blesing tackle.
Christian Barff‘s five fumbles at centre wing proved disastrous for the Serpents. However, full back Hudson Bennett was solid defensively, recording 10 disposals, 5 defensive marks, and 8 rebound 50s.
Playing in place of the injured Nate “Friest” Male, 32-year-old Will Priestley showcased his talent in midfield and managed to turn some heads with an impressive player of the match performance. He finished the game with 12 disposals, five inside 50s, 2 marks, 3 tackles, and 342 metres gained. It will be interesting to see if he retains his place in the side should Male be fit enough to play again next week against the undefeated Kings.
Ruckman Mitchell Fernie might not be fit enough to play in next week’s clash after being taken from the field with a suspected leg injury early in the final quarter. Like last week, young gun Ryder Chumleigh came off the bench to replace him in the ruck contests, but seemed to struggle to find his footing in that role. We’ll have to wait for an update on whether Fernie will be available for the decisive game against the undefeated Kings next week.
Final Score: Match drawn – Serpents 3.3 (21) tie Coyotes 3.3 (21)
MATCH STATS
Serpents Stats
Goals – 3
Behinds – 3
Disposals – 47
Kicks – 30
Handballs – 17
Contested Possessions – 41
Kick Efficiency – 50.00%
Disposal Efficiency – 68.09%
Marks – 18
Marks Inside 50 – 4
Contested Marks – 17
Marking Efficiency – 69.23%
Tackles – 6
Clearances – 2
Free Kicks – 9
Inside 50s – 11
Hitouts – 5
Interchanges – 1
Coyotes Stats
Goals – 3
Behinds – 3
Disposals – 48
Kicks – 39
Handballs – 9
Contested Possessions – 44
Kick Efficiency – 48.72%
Disposal Efficiency – 58.33%
Marks – 17
Marks Inside 50 – 9
Contested Marks – 14
Marking Efficiency – 68.00%
Tackles – 2
Clearances – 3
Free Kicks – 5
Inside 50s – 16
Hitouts – 4
Interchanges – 0
Man of the Match: Will Priestley (Serpents)
Top Player Performances
Goalkickers – Mayne 3 | Camm 1 | Vanthoff 1 | Sadler 1
Behinds – Mayne 3 | Camm 2 | Sadler 1
Kicks – Skelton 10 | Mayne 9 | Priestley 7 | Barnes 5
Handballs – Bennett 7 | Priestley 5 | Drake 4 | Supple 4
Disposals – Priestley 12 | Skelton 11 | Bennett 10 | Mayne 9
Marks – Mayne 9 | Bennett 5 | Camm 4 | Barff 3
Tackles – Priestley 3 | Blesing 2 | Carson 1 | Skelton 1
A draw from the Serpents’ perspective means they remain behind the Jaguars in third place on the ladder, following the Jaguars’ victory against the Outlaws on Remembrance Day. It’s not an ideal result for them, especially considering their next three matches include games against the Jaguars and the table-topping Kings. That’s certainly a tough schedule ahead for the Serpents, facing off against strong opponents in the run-up to the finals.
Meanwhile, the Coyotes have moved ahead of the Cobras into fifth place on the ladder. However, the Cobras have a chance to reclaim their position with a win in tomorrow night’s match. They have every chance of doing so as they go up against the winless Bearcats. You won’t want to miss tomorrow night’s final match of the round! Stay tuned for all the action!
Sunday, November 14, 2021
Bearcats vs. Cobras
Pocket Stadium
Perfect weather greets us as we gear up for another exciting Sunday afternoon of football. A big crowd has gathered here for the 24th match of the Pocket Football League this season, and we anticipate an electrifying contest between these two sides. Today, it’s the Bearcats up against the Cobras in what promises to be a thrilling encounter!
It’s a crucial game for the Cobras, who need a win to stay in touch with the top 5. Meanwhile, for the Bearcats, it’s all about restoring pride and dignity to a team that’s yet to register a win this season. There’s been plenty of speculation this season that Bearcats captain Alexander Richards or coach Cooper Mullah might be on their way out at the end of the season if there isn’t a significant improvement in the team’s performance.
“Well, there’s no denying it’s been a tough start to the season for us,” admitted Cooper Mullah at a Bearcats training session earlier this week. “Four losses in a row is certainly not where we wanted to be at this stage. As a coach, I take full responsibility for our poor performance, and I understand the frustration of our fans.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do if we’re going to turn things around. There’s been a lot of speculation about my future, and I understand that comes with the territory when results aren’t going our way. All I can do is focus on getting the best out of this team and finding a way to get us back on track.
“We’ve got a talented group of players, and I still believe we can turn our season around. It’s going to take a lot of hard work and dedication, but I’m confident we can get there. We’ll keep working tirelessly to improve, and hopefully, we can start to turn those losses into wins.”
Despite the results, captain Alexander Richards has been a standout for the Bearcats this season, leading the side in disposals with 28 at an impressive 82.1% accuracy. The 35-year-old has been particularly strong in defence, securing eight defensive marks, three of which came during last week’s loss to the Coyotes.
Ruckman Jonathan Chute has also been an impressive performer in midfield for the Bearcats. However, there have been concerns regarding the poor form of Kai Goold in front of goal. The key forward has only managed to kick 4 goals this season from 20 kicks inside the attacking 50. In contrast, 23-year-old Tyson McConnan has been in scintillating form, scoring 4 goals from just 9 kicks so far this season.
The Cobras may be below their desired position on the ladder, but they should be feeling fresh and relaxed following a bye round last week. The team’s last victory came in Round 4 when they thumped the Rangers by 25 points, adding to their only other victory this season against the Outlaws back in Round 1.
Tall forward Thomas Downie has been exceptional in the forward line for the Cobras and will be looking to add to his impressive tally of 10 goals for the season.
Meanwhile, Zane Harrington and Daniel Jackey have been impressive on the wings, moving the ball forward through the logos and along the boundary line, providing ample service to the forward line. Their endurance and ability to use the ball well will be crucial for the Cobras’ chances today.
Will today be the day the Bearcats burst through for the first win of the season? Or can the Cobras solidify their spot as one of the top contenders as we approach the finals?
Team Lineups
Bearcats –
FB: [5] Alexander Richards (c), [21] Hugo Gowing, [6] Koby Du Cane
C: [11] Dylan Brownrigg, [9] Hamish Nanson, [17] Koby Conrick
FF: [12] Kai Goold, [4] Tyson McConnan, [22] Jaxon Youl
FOL: [16] Jonathan Chute, [2] Jamie Jamison, [18] Matthew Ricketson
I/C: [23] Thomas Blumenthal.
Cobras –
FB: [10] George Hugh, [5] Flynn Doolette, [16] Kai Drake
C: [20] Zane Harrington, [22] Alexander Moysey, [21] Daniel Jackey
FF: [6] Thomas Downie, [18] Seth Fantin, [4] Gabriel Greeves (c)
FOL: [11] Nate Schneider, [2] Jake McMaster, [3] Jordan Langridge
I/C: [17] Jeremy Lovell.
First Quarter
HIGHLIGHTS
Q1 3:11 left: COBRAS: Defence – Kick to Wing by Hugh → Screamer by Harrington! Fantastic flight right there! We certainly hope he doesn’t suffer from vertigo → Long range kick to Forward by Harrington. Launches that one into orbit → Marked by Downie! → Downie kicks, Smothered by Richards!! Blocked by. Richards → Steps & spins!! → Hit the post, 1 behind by Fantin! It’s hit the post. That’s a behind. Cobras. By a point. 1 behind for Cobras.
Cobras 0.1 (1) lead Bearcats 0.0 (0)
Q1 2:05 left: COBRAS: Midfield – Run & bounce by Schneider → Run & bounce. He must have broken his Mum’s china because he’s running for his life → Handball to Wing → Fumble by Jackey! → BEARCATS: Wing – Run & bounce by Conrick → Long range kick to Forward by Conrick → Marked by Goold! Chalk it up now. No chance he can miss this one → Goal by Goold!! Comes in, drop punt. Straight through the middle. Gets his first. Always a confidence booster to score the first goal in a game. Goal for Bearcats!
Bearcats 1.0 (6) lead Cobras 0.1 (1)
Q1 1:03 left: COBRAS: Defence – Short pass to Midfield by Doolette → Nice grab by Moysey! There’s a big mark coming over the top from. Moysey → Kick to Wing by Moysey → Defensive mark by Brownrigg! Great mark under pressure → BEARCATS: Wing – Kick to Forward by Brownrigg → Nice grab by Goold! A solid mark from. Goold → Out of bounds by Goold!! Out of bounds it goes.
QUARTER TIME
Score: Bearcats 1.0 (6) lead Cobras 0.1 (1)
Second Quarter
HIGHLIGHTS
Q2 4:06 left: BEARCATS: Defence – Long handball to Midfield by Richards → Handball to Wing by Nanson → Whistle blown by the referee → Coat hanger! 50m!! Free kick!! That’ll be fifty. Daniel Jackey gives away the free kick. A pretty safe bet from this position. 26 metres from home → Goal by Conrick!! Conrick. Runs in. Gets the distance. That’s a very well executed goal. Bearcats. Scoring. Goal for Bearcats!
Bearcats 2.0 (12) lead Cobras 0.1 (1)
Q2 2:12 left: BEARCATS: Defence – Short pass to Midfield by Gowing → Spoiled by Moysey! Misses the intended target → COBRAS: Midfield – Torpedo to Forward by Schneider. Puts boot to ball → Punched away by Richards! Richards. Prevents his opponent from taking the mark → Steps & spins!! Fantin. Zigs and zags → 1 behind by Fantin! It’s gone through for a magnificent…behind! Cobras. Trailing. 1 behind for Cobras.
Bearcats 2.0 (12) lead Cobras 0.2 (2)
Q2 1:18 left: COBRAS: Midfield – Whistle blown by the referee → Throw by Schneider! Great decision → BEARCATS: Midfield – Handball to Wing by Nanson → Run & bounce by Brownrigg → Long range kick to Forward by Brownrigg → Marked by Goold! And the fans are riding this one home → Goal by Goold!! They like it behind the goals. He likes it! Goal!! He’s bagged a couple now. Bearcats. Are playing better footy here. Bearcats. Have scored the last. Three. Goals. Goal for Bearcats!
Bearcats 3.0 (18) lead Cobras 0.2 (2)
Q2 0:45 left: Both rucks have a fair shot at this one. Bounce to restart play! Off the toes!! → COBRAS: Midfield – Run & bounce by Schneider → Run & bounce → Whistle blown by the referee → Schneider looks injured! Things not looking good for. Schneider. There’s concern for ruckman Nate Schneider. He looked to be in pain earlier following a centre bounce ruck contest, and now he’s hobbling to the bench. Quick interchange here!
Interchange: Nate Schneider → Jeremy Lovell (Cobras)
Q2 0:25 left: COBRAS: Midfield – Kick to Forward by Lovell. Lovell. Loads up with a high kick → Nice grab by Downie! Downie. Soars to take the high mark. Opportunity for. Cobras → Goal by Downie!! Downie. Runs in. Pinpoint accuracy from. Downie. That’s his first. Downie. Is relieved to see that one go through! Goal for Cobras!
Bearcats 3.0 (18) lead Cobras 1.2 (8)
HALF TIME
It’s been an entertaining clash between these two sides so far this afternoon. The Cobras appeared to just have the edge early on, but the Bearcats quickly shut them down completely, slamming home the first three goals of the match to take a 10-point lead heading into the half time break.
Bearcats captain Alexander Richards has been leading by example all game and is having an absolute blinder out there. The key defender has been able to prevent Cobras’ Thomas Downie from making a significant impact, punching the ball away from him on four occasions. Richards has also recorded two disposals, two rebound 50s, and a defensive mark.
The experienced Koby Conrick has also shown flashes of brilliance for the Bearcats in his role at centre wing. The 32-year-old has already made his presence felt with two contested possessions, a goal assist, and a spoil. He also kicked his first goal of the season off the back of a 50-metre penalty. Daniel Jackey caught him high, and Conrick made no mistake from the set shot.
On the opposite side of the ground, Dylan Brownrigg has made good use of the football with four disposals and a goal assist to go along with three marks, although he has been pinged twice for pushing in the back. Both Conrick and Brownrigg have struggled with their kicking accuracy this season. Their contributions will be crucial in maintaining momentum for the Bearcats in the second half.
The Cobras were kept goalless in the opening quarter, as they were back in Round 3 against the Serpents. However, Thomas Downie managed to score a late goal in the second quarter, preventing the game from getting completely out of hand.
Daniel Jackey has been unusually quiet on the wing, managing just one disposal and one mark. However, veteran Alexander Moysey has been instrumental in the centre, providing five disposals, two marks, and three spoils. Moysey’s tight marking of Hamish Nanson has forced the Bearcats to play out wide rather than through the centre of the ground. Nanson failed to get a kick away at all during that first half.
The Cobras are trailing, and now they are down a man after ruckman Nate Schneider was forced from the ground. He seemed to be in pain halfway through the second quarter following a centre bounce ruck contest against Jonathan Chute, who has a clear height and size advantage. Schneider tried to play on but was eventually taken off the ground and down into the rooms with the medical staff late in the second quarter.
It’s a significant blow for the Cobras as Schneider had already contributed five disposals and two clearances for his side. His ability to carry the ball forward was crucial, evidenced by his eight running bounces, providing an effective driving force for the team.
However, young gun Jeremy Lovell made an immediate impact off the bench, delivering a perfect assist to Thomas Downie for a goal with his very first disposal of the match to maintain his perfect kicking accuracy this season. We’ll have to wait and see how he fares against Jonathan Chute in the ruck. Unlike Schneider, Lovell holds a 2cm height advantage over Chute.
The Bearcats have the lead at the moment, but let’s not forget they lost their first game of the season after being 14-3 up against the Rangers at half time. It will be interesting to see if they can maintain their position as the third quarter gets underway!
Score: Bearcats 3.0 (18) lead Cobras 1.2 (8)
Third Quarter
HIGHLIGHTS
Q3 5:00 left: They’ve struggled throughout that first half, but there’s still a half a game to go. The bounce is high! Off the toes!! → COBRAS: Midfield – Torpedo to Forward by Lovell. Jams it on the boot now → Nice grab by Downie! A good mark under the circumstances. Head down now as he goes in for the goal → 1 behind by Downie! That’s got to hurt. It’s just missed. 1 behind for Cobras.
Bearcats 3.0 (18) lead Cobras 1.3 (9)
Q3 4:35 left: BEARCATS: Defence – Quickly brings it back in. Short pass to Midfield by Richards → Punched away by Moysey! Kicks too short and puts his team-mate under immense pressure → Hip & shoulder!! → COBRAS: Midfield – Kick to Forward by Lovell. Goes inside the forward 50 → Good mark by Downie! Downie. Got under it → 1 behind by Downie! Couldn’t seal the deal. Cobras. Aren’t out of this, but they need a goal. 1 behind for Cobras.
Bearcats 3.0 (18) lead Cobras 1.4 (10)
Q3 2:21 left: BEARCATS: Midfield – Handball to Wing by Chute → Kick to Midfield by Brownrigg. Nothing presenting. All he can do is kick to space → Good mark by Nanson! → Torpedo to Forward by Nanson → Nice grab by Goold! Goold. Running in. About to kick. 42 metres from home → Goal by Goold!! It’s straight. Gun barrel straight. Goold. Gets the goal. Three of the best. He’s putting on a clinic! Cobras. Are getting swamped here and are in danger of going under. Goal for Bearcats!
Bearcats 4.1 (25) lead Cobras 1.4 (10)
Q3 1:18 left: COBRAS: Defence – Long handball to Midfield by Hugh → Handball to Wing by Moysey. Moysey. Handpasses it → Kick to Forward by Jackey → Nice grab by Downie! Stuck the mitts out and held on to it → 1 behind by Downie! A wasted opportunity. A behind at this stage will do little to improve their position. 1 behind for Cobras.
Bearcats 4.1 (25) lead Cobras 1.5 (11)
Q3 0:18 left: BEARCATS: Defence – Short pass to Midfield by Du Cane → Spoiled by Moysey! Nanson. Had it. Lost it! → COBRAS: Midfield – Handball to Wing by Lovell → Long range kick to Forward by Harrington → Marked by Downie! And there’s the siren!! Controversy in the air. Alexander Richards protests vehemently! He is absolutely furious, but the umpires are going to allow Thomas Downie the kick. It’s an understatement to say they really need this one → Out of bounds by Downie!! The kick spins off in the wrong direction.
QUARTER TIME
Score: Bearcats 4.1 (25) lead Cobras 1.5 (11)
Final Quarter
HIGHLIGHTS
Q4 4:27 left: BEARCATS: Midfield – Kick to Wing by Chute → Punched away by Jackey! → Langridge barges through the pack! Langridge. Arches the back and accelerates away → COBRAS: Wing – Whistle blown by the referee → Coat hanger! 50m!! No need for that. 50 metres! Matthew Ricketson gives away the free kick. And the fans are riding this one home → Hit the post, 1 behind by Langridge! Rams it into the woodwork. Cobras. Trailing. 1 behind for Cobras.
Bearcats 4.1 (25) lead Cobras 1.6 (12)
Q4 3:52 left: BEARCATS: Defence – Taking his time. Handball to Defence by Richards → Short pass to Midfield by Gowing → Good mark by Nanson! → Whistle blown by the referee → Coat hanger! 50m!! That’ll be fifty. Alexander Moysey gives away the free kick. If he sinks this, it’s going to be all the more difficult for the opposition to catch up → Nanson kicks, Smothered by Hugh!! → Quick hands!! → Goal by Goold!! Goal! When he’s on song he sings a very good song! Four goals to. Goold. Bearcats. Too good today. The thing I like about this team is their willingness to attack the ball hard, no matter what stage of the game it is. Goal for Bearcats!
Bearcats 5.1 (31) lead Cobras 1.6 (12)
Q4 2:23 left: COBRAS: Defence – Kick to Wing by Doolette → Nice grab by Jackey! → Long range kick to Forward by Jackey → Marked by Downie! Head down now as he goes in for the goal. It’s an understatement to say they really need this one → Out of bounds by Downie!! You could see that happening right after it left his boot. Bearcats. The likely victors it just remains to be seen by how much.
Q4 1:28 left: BEARCATS: Wing – Run & bounce by Jamison → Whistle blown by the referee → Throw by Jamison! That was the right decision → COBRAS: Wing – Long range kick to Forward by McMaster. Spots a teammate down the field and kicks it long → Marked by Downie! Mark taken by. Downie. Inside his 50 → Goal by Downie!! It’s straight. Gun barrel straight. Downie. Gets the goal. Downie. With the goal, and he runs back into position. Goal for Cobras!
Bearcats 5.1 (31) lead Cobras 2.6 (18)
Q4 0:55 left: Ruckmen. Awaiting the bounce. The bounce straight down! Hip & shoulder!! → COBRAS: Midfield – Kick to Forward by Lovell → Defensive mark by Richards! He marks it and just keeps going → BEARCATS: Defence – Richards tackled by Greeves! What a bang! → Hip & shoulder!! → COBRAS: Forward – Goal by Fantin!! Shot by. Fantin. Happy with that effort, and so he should be. Cobras. Trailing. Goal for Cobras!
Bearcats 5.1 (31) lead Cobras 3.6 (24)
FULL TIME
There’s the siren!! Rejoice and jubilation for the winners. Hands on heads despair for the losers. What a shattering loss. The Bearcats erupt in celebration as they secure their first victory of the season in spectacular fashion! It’s been a long time coming for captain Alexander Richards and his team. They have been waiting for this moment, and they come together to savour the victory. It’s an emotional moment as the team song echoes through the stadium, marking the end of a long drought with a flawless display of football.
As he so often does, Alexander Richards paved the way for his team this afternoon. The experienced 35-year-old from New South Wales demonstrated his impact both offensively and defensively, racking up five disposals, four rebound 50s, two defensive marks, and two spoils. Richards utilised his elite tagging skills to neutralise the threat of Thomas Downie, showcasing his ability to disrupt opposition plays and prevent scoring opportunities.
“What a win for the boys today!” said Richards post-match. “We’ve been working so hard all season, and it feels incredible to finally get that first win under our belts. There’s been a lot of speculation and pressure, but we never lost faith in ourselves.
“It’s nice to get some belief back in the team, and it’s a huge confidence boost for us. We knew we had it in us, but sometimes you just need that first win to remind you what you’re capable of.
“Today’s performance was a real team effort, and I couldn’t be prouder of the boys. We showed real grit and determination out there today, and we got the job done against a tough opponent. It’s a moment to savour, but we also know there’s still a long way to go this season.
“We’ll enjoy this win tonight, but tomorrow it’s back to work. We’ve set the standard now, and we need to keep pushing forward. I’m confident that if we continue to work hard and play like we did today, we can turn our season around and make some noise in the competition.”
Midfielder Hamish Nanson found himself tightly marked by Cobras veteran Alexander Moysey throughout the first half of the match. However, Nanson was able to overcome that pressure from his direct opponent, recording two score assists in the third quarter, adding to his four inside 50s and two marks after half time.
An important moment in the game came when a dangerous high tackle from Moysey indirectly led to Kai Goold‘s fourth goal of the match. Goold had only managed four goals for the season up to this point but doubled his goal tally in an impressive display of goal-kicking. It marks a welcome return to form for the proud Awabakal man.
Although they scored a pair of late goals, the Cobras squandered plenty of opportunities throughout the second half. Despite the midfield creating plenty of chances, key forward Thomas Downie, normally a reliable shot at goal, just couldn’t seal the deal, kicking three behinds and twice sending shots across the face of goal. The final margin of just seven points suggests that the Cobras could have taken the win if their finishing had been more clinical.
Wingers Zane Harrington and Daniel Jackey just didn’t have their usual impact on the game as the Cobras seemed to prioritise movement through the midfield corridor over their natural wing play. The pair were restricted to just three disposals and two marks between them during the second half of the match.
There will be considerable concern in the Cobras camp after ruckman Nate Schneider sustained an injury late in the second quarter. The classy 22-year-old displayed his composure and running capacity, contributing five disposals, two clearances, and eight running bounces in the first half. Schneider’s impact was significant, winning four out of five centre bounces for his team. His absence was felt by the Cobras players. We’ll have to wait and see if he’ll be fit enough to play in next week’s match against the Dynamos.
Despite this, the team appeared to find a suitable replacement in Jeremy Lovell, who won all but one centre bounces after coming off the bench for the Cobras. Lovell seized the opportunity and was exceptional through the centre of the ground, winning four clearances and accumulating nine disposals, seven inside 50s, and 11 contested possessions. It was an outstanding performance from the 20-year-old, who appears to have a promising future in the sport.
Final Score: Bearcats 5.1 (31) def Cobras 3.6 (24) by 7 points
MATCH STATS
Bearcats Stats
Goals – 5
Behinds – 1
Disposals – 42
Kicks – 30
Handballs – 12
Contested Possessions – 37
Kick Efficiency – 56.67%
Disposal Efficiency – 69.05%
Marks – 14
Marks Inside 50 – 6
Contested Marks – 12
Marking Efficiency – 56.00%
Tackles – 2
Clearances – 2
Free Kicks – 9
Inside 50s – 10
Hitouts – 2
Interchanges – 0
Cobras Stats
Goals – 3
Behinds – 6
Disposals – 47
Kicks – 40
Handballs – 7
Contested Possessions – 49
Kick Efficiency – 57.50%
Disposal Efficiency – 63.83%
Marks – 17
Marks Inside 50 – 9
Contested Marks – 13
Marking Efficiency – 62.96%
Tackles – 4
Clearances – 6
Free Kicks – 8
Inside 50s – 17
Hitouts – 10
Interchanges – 1
Man of the Match: Hamish Nanson (Bearcats)
Top Player Performances
Goalkickers – Goold 4 | Downie 2 | Conrick 1 | Fantin 1
Behinds – Downie 3 | Fantin 2 | Goold 1 | Langridge 1
Kicks – Downie 9 | Lovell 8 | Goold 7 | Nanson 5
Handballs – Richards 4 | Moysey 3 | Nanson 3 | Du Cane 2
Disposals – Lovell 9 | Downie 9 | Nanson 8 | Goold 7
Marks – Downie 9 | Goold 6 | Brownrigg 4 | Jackey 3
Tackles – Greeves 3 | Chute 1 | Jamison 1 | Moysey 1
Victory for the Bearcats does little to improve their position at the bottom of the ladder. However, it does help them draw level on points with the Outlaws, who slumped to a fourth consecutive defeat against the Jaguars on Thursday. Securing a finals berth from this position remains highly unlikely, but this victory is sure to be a massive confidence boost for the Bearcats as they prepare to face the Jaguars next week.
For the Cobras, it’s a disappointing result after they had been aiming to strengthen their position on the ladder. Instead, they slip from fourth to sixth, placing them at risk of missing the Top 6 and the finals. They’ll need to regroup quickly for their match against the Dynamos on Thursday.
Just three rounds left in the Pocket Football League this season. Still plenty of action to come, especially with some major fixtures on the cards for next week when the ladder-leading Kings return from a bye. Another exciting round of football awaits us as the teams look to book their spot in the finals series. You won’t want to miss it! Stay tuned!
Ladder (after Round 6)
Kings – 5 wins, 0 losses, 20 points, 141.9%
Jaguars – 4 wins, 1 loss, 16 points, 114.9%
Serpents – 3 wins, 1 losses, 1 draw, 14 points, 115.7%
Dynamos – 3 wins, 2 losses, 12 points, 107.5%
Coyotes – 2 wins, 3 losses, 1 draw, 10 points, 103.4%
Cobras – 2 wins, 3 losses, 8 points, 115.7%
Rangers – 2 wins, 4 losses, 8 points, 84.5%
Outlaws – 1 win, 5 losses, 4 points, 85.7%
Bearcats – 1 wins, 4 losses, 4 points, 61.8%
MOST GOALS
Angus Mayne (Coyotes) – 16
Christopher Jackey (Kings) – 15
Patrick Camm (Serpents) – 12
Joseph Grainger (Outlaws) – 12
Sebastian Bamford (Rangers) – 12
Jack Simons (Dynamos) – 12
Thomas Downie (Cobras) – 12
MOST MARKS
Joseph Grainger (Outlaws) – 46
Angus Mayne (Coyotes) – 45
Thomas Downie (Cobras) – 44
Sebastian Bamford (Rangers) – 39
Patrick Camm (Serpents) – 38
MOST KICKS
Joseph Grainger (Outlaws) – 55
Angus Mayne (Coyotes) – 49
Thomas Downie (Cobras) – 45
Patrick Camm (Serpents) – 40
Sebastian Bamford (Rangers) – 40
MOST HANDBALLS
Elijah Nock (Jaguars) – 21
Alexander Richards (Bearcats) – 21
Hudson Bennett (Serpents) – 20
Brayden Bullen (Rangers) – 17
Bailey Drake (Coyotes) – 16
MOST DISPOSALS
Joseph Grainger (Outlaws) – 55
Anthony Mewton-Wood (Rangers) – 51
Jeremy Arundale (Outlaws) – 50
Angus Mayne (Coyotes) – 49
Lincoln Skelton (Coyotes) – 47
DISPOSAL EFFICIENCY (MIN. 5 DISPOSALS)
Matthew Laby (Kings) – 100%
Jackson Nanya (Serpents) – 87%
Elijah Nock (Jaguars) – 86%
Daniel Jackey (Cobras) – 86%
Lachlan Macalister (Rangers) – 85%
More to come…
*Please note that this tournament is purely a work of fiction and should not be taken literally or as fact. Names, characters, business, events and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. All player comments provided by ChatGPT. Any copying or plagiarism that results from the AI’s output is purely coincidental and should not be taken literally or as fact. Player images generated by AI courtesy of Bing Image Creator.
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