What the club hopes will be a breakthrough season started in ideal fashion for Picola United, as the senior side defeated quality opposition in the opening round.
Facing off with Katunga, a side that went 12-3 in 2024, the Blues made a statement of intent for the new year in an 11.12 (78) to 7.9 (51) Picola District Football League victory.
United got off to a flyer at Picola Recreation Reserve, kicking four in the opening term to open up a quick double-digit lead.
A slower second period saw both sides struggle to find the uprights, but the Blues held on to a 5.7 (37) to 2.2 (14) advantage at the main break.
The shooting boots returned in the second half and Picola added three majors in the third and another three in the fourth to solidify its advantage and hold off the Swans, who also found their scoring form in the latter stages.
There was a pair of runaway leaders in front of goal, with Picola’s Cody Haub and Katunga’s Darcy Laffy kicking five majors each to head up their respective sides.
Matthew Jorgensen, Jarrod Byrne (2), Tanner Smith and Blake Azzopardi also got their names on the scoresheet for Picola.
Haub headed up the best players list with Jorgensen, Zac Cockayne, Jared Laffy, Tom Daniel and Benjamin Turpin also featuring.
Picola United was a fringe finals side in 2024, finishing seventh with a 9-6-1 record and being eliminated in the first round of the post-season.
After keeping the squad together and making useful additions, coach Rhys Woodland said during the week he was hopeful of winning a finals game this season and his side’s round one performance indicates that goal could be a realistic one.
Picola will visit Rennie this Saturday.
PDNL
United’s A-grade netballers couldn’t replicate the success of their senior football clubmates.
Facing off with top four side from last season Katunga, the Blues weren’t able to keep pace, dropping behind by double digits midway through the second period.
The Swans didn’t let up in the second half, running away 49-15 winners.
The Game
Scores
Picola United: 4.2, 5.7, 8.8, 11.12 (78)
Katunga: 1.1, 2.2, 4.6, 7.9 (51)
Goals
Picola United: Cody Haub 5, Matthew Jorgensen 2, Jarrod Byrne 2, Tanner Smith, Blake Azzopardi
Katunga: Darcy Laffy 5, Zavier Morris, Dylan Cox
Best
Picola United: Cody Haub, Zac Cockayne, Matthew Jorgensen, Jared Laffy, Tom Daniel, Benjamin Turpin
Katunga: Max Hendy, Xavier Thorp, Samuel Boyd, Nicholas Thorp, Darcy Laffy, Viv Russo