Federal Football Club hosted the Keller/Tammin Kats at Henry street oval last Sunday in front of a slightly smaller crowd due to Mother's Day commitments.
As previously mentioned, wins for both sides are vital as the top four teams fight it out to claim bragging rights as to top spot on the respective League and Reserves ladder, in what I predict will be one of the most competitive and evenly contested seasons for many years.
RESERVES
The Reserves game was an evenly fought contest over the four quarters with Federals managing to hold sway, keeping their heads in front on the scoreboard at each change over a gallant Keller Kats outfit.
Both sides have an abundance of young talented players, mixed with a few older heads, and kept the crowd entertained with a good quality game of Aussie rules football.
The final scores were Federals 8.12 (60) to Keller/Tammin 6.6 (42); giving Federals victory by 18 points.
Awards
1st: Zeke Kennedy; 2nd: Derek Gregory; 3rd: Mitch Henry Jnr; Coaches' Award: Ben Casey.
LEAGUE
The League encounter was billed as the game of the round with both teams on paper very evenly matched and what a game it turned out to be; with the final victor unknown until the last minute of the game.
The first quarter was evenly contested with both sides giving their all with the Kats managing to break free late in the quarter to have a 12-point lead at the first break; Keller/Tammin 5.3 to Federals 3.3.
The second term belonged to the Kats as they lead Federals a merry dance. With precise foot skills and more desire to win the hard ball, this allowed them to kick five goals while Federals could only manage two, taking the Kats into the half-time break with a five-goal lead.
Half-time scores: Keller/Tammin 10.7 (67) to Federals 5.5 (35).
After the half-time address by coach Alistair Smith emphasising for players to stick to the team structure and increase their intensity at the football, Federals came out fired up and took the game right up to the Keller Kats, kicking 3.1 while Keller kicked 1.2 to reduce the margin to 21 points.
The last quarter was a do-or-die effort by Federals, keeping the crowd on the edge of their seats as they continued to reduce the margin.
With seven minutes of play left Federals hit the lead for the first time in the match sending their supporters into a frenzy as they expended every last once of energy to hold a gallant Keller/Tammin at bay; as the siren sounded Federals were handed a nine-point victory.
Final scores: Federals 14.9 (93) to Kats 12.12 (84).
Awards
1st: Dylan Nelson; 2nd: Jarrhan Jacky; 3rd: James Everett; Coaches' Award: James Smith.
NETBALL
The Federals Fillies had a resounding win over the Kats, 63 to 22. A great effort girls.
Awards
1st: Lisa Williamson; 2nd: Kiara Stone; 3rd: Rikki Garlett.
