Sport
‘Go out and enjoy it’: Strathmerton runs over the top of Tungamah to keep flag hopes alive
The first week of the Picola District Football Netball League is in the books and it was a mixed bag of results for the region’s local outfits.
Strathmerton is through to the semi-final weekend following a stirring come-from-behind victory over the reigning premier while Yarroweyah’s impressive season came to an end with a disappointing loss to Katunga.
Over in the senior football, Katamatite’s finals series was cut short following its heavy loss to Jerilderie.
The Tigers started better of the two sides and led at quarter-time, yet they conceded 17 goals after the first break as the Demons cruised to a resounding 17.6 (108) to 8.7 (55) win.
Starthmerton’s A-grade coach Olivia Osborne spoke to the Cobram Courier on Tuesday following the memorable 41-35 triumph over Tungamah.
Osborne highlighted that her outfit were lucky to escape with victory and at one stage were staring down an early exit at the main break.
“We knew it was going to be a tough game, even though they finished eighth, it was a grand final rematch, so we knew what they brought in finals last year and they brought that again on Saturday,” Osborne said.
“Tungamah played a really good game but they unfortunately just couldn’t finish it.
“They were winning at half time by eight goals. There was just a little bit of inexperience and the nerves got to us ... we took a little bit to get going.
“It is always tricky being a playing coach, I remember thinking ‘what am I going to say?’. We had nothing to change, it was just more that we had to start playing for each other.
“I said to the girls, ‘the way this game is at the moment, this is our last game together, so go out and enjoy it’. Our shooters came out and shot really well, Caitlyn Brooks and Georgia Kerr, it was their first senior finals as goalers and turned things around.
“It was really pleasing (from the group) after half time and I’m hoping they’ll really step up now.”
Osborne was pleased with the performances of two midcourters in the comeback win.
Kate Betson provided plenty of direction, while Vanessa Ward was lively and caused crucial turnovers.
“Standout was Kate Betson; she is a strong midcourter, provides plenty of talk and it’s exactly what our goalers needed,” Osborne said.
“And Vanessa in wing defence caused plenty of turnovers and she really stepped up which was great to see.”
The Bulldogs now face the loser of this weekend’s qualifying final clash against Deniliquin Rovers and Rennie.
Osborne was unsure which side her outfit could face and expected it to be a close encounter.
“We’ll be looking at that game closely, it will be a very tight match,” she said.
“The top eight is really close, anyone can win it. We’re just going to go and work on getting rid of some of those nerves and then once we know who we are playing we’ll start to think about that match-up.”