IN what could only be described as cold wet windy conditions Federals took on the might of the Cunderdin Football Club on their home turf. Our league side could not afford to be defeated, especially after last week`s one-point loss, as this would make it virtually impossible for them to finish in the top two position on the ladder and have a double shot at this year’s premiership title.
The Reserves on the other hand have been the team to beat so far this season being on top of the premiership ladder four points clear of their nearest rival and a game in hand could not drop their guard and become complacent so it was a must that both sides come home with a victory.
RESERVES:
Federals first two quarters could only be described as lack luster with players lacking the desire to put their bodies behind the ball being content to allow their rivals first use of the ball and then attempting to apply pressure only to be out muscled due to the bigger bodied Cunderdin Magpies side.
By the half-time break Federals could only manage a slender four-point lead over a very determined opposition side and it was certainly expressed to the players by the coaching staff as to what standard players should set themselves and maintain regardless of the playing conditions.
The third term saw a complete reversal of the previous two quarters with all players lifting their intensity attack at the ball and their opponents which saw federals holding the magpies to a few points while kicking three goals themselves taking a handy 19-point lead at the last break. The final term saw both sides start to feel the effects of the heavy ground conditions and this set the pattern of play with the game turning into a battle of the fittest as many ground scrimmages and ball ups came into play when the final siren sounded Federals had managed to keep their heads in front and ran out winners by a margin of 12 points: Federals 7.1 to Cunderdin 4.7.
LEAGUE:
Due to the last minute unavailability of some key players and changes having to be made to the team structure League coach Alistair Smith stressed to his chargers the importance of a victory as they head towards the finals; and that their commitment would be tested as the playing conditions would make it a trying day with a lot of body contact.
The first quarter saw Federals able to frequently deliver the ball into their forward line and if not for goal front inaccuracy could have established a handy lead by the first break with them kicking one goal, seven points to Cunderdin’s one goal. The second term saw a more even contest with both sides giving their all trying to gain the upper hand but once again wet and windy conditions made it difficult for players and by the half time break the scores stood at Federals 2.9 to Cunderdin 2.3 – a margin of six points.
At the half-time break Alistair Smith instructed players to stick to the game plan and make better decisions when taking the ball into the forward area.
This seemed to work and Federals managed through hard work to kick three goals for the term and restrict Cunderdin to a solitary goal, so at the three-quarter-time break Federals lead their rivals 5.10 to 3.3 – a margin of 19 points.
The final term saw both sides giving their all.
Cunderdin trying to peg back the lead while Federals held sway sticking to the game plan, going goal for goal with their worthy rivals and maintaining their composure to run out eventual winners 7.12 points to Cunderdin 4.6 – a margin of 24 points.
NETBALL:
Unfortunately our netball girls were up against a very talented Cunderdin Magpies outfit who currently sit on top of the Premiership ladder with 8 wins from 8 starts and in the words of Fillies coach Lisa Williamson I have conveniently forgotten the final scores we all tried hard but all credit must go to Cunderdin.
LEAGUE AWARDS:
1st: Shannon Dixon; 2nd: Cameron Lawler; 3rd: Kyle Martin; Coaches’ award: Zeki Allardyce.
RESERVES AWARDS:
1st: Braden Ferguson; 2nd: Joel Broad; 3rd: William Bick Junior; Coaches’ award: Elliott Wright.
NETBALL AWARDS:
1st: Lisa Williamson; 2nd: Clara Garlett; 3rd: Stacey Hunter.
A huge thank you to our sponsors for the above awards.
Congratulations to Kaije Slater on his first game with Perth Colts and Zac Hill back from injuries.