Round 12 match reports by Stephen Marson
Under 19s:
A strong second half from West Preston was enough to defeat Northcote Park on Sunday.
Three first quarter goals to the Cougars gave them an early 13-point lead, but it was the goal of ruckman Paul Steinicke that excited the crowd the most.
Steinicke picked the ball up at half back, took three bounces as he rounded a few Roosters’ players, and kicked a huge goal from 50 out on the run. It was the first of three for him on the day, in what was a great performance from the ruckman.
The Cougars only managed three goals after half time to the Roosters’ 11, which saw the home side run away with a 45-point win.
Reserves:
An eight goal second quarter to the Cougars set up an impressive 65-point win.
Inaccuracy cost Northcote Park early, as their opening goal came on the quarter time siren through Henry Mason, as the Cougars had only five behinds on the scoreboard before that kick.
All was forgotten by half time however, as eight goals during the second term, capped off by an amazing Rob Chadwick snap in the pocket, helped the Cougars to a 43-point buffer at the main break.
Nine goals after half time was enough to stretch out the margin to beyond 10 goals, as Chadwick finished with five goals to his name and Mason four.
Special mention to Matty George, Zac Berra, Ed Bui, Daniel Brown, Harrison Reid and Luke Merrett who backed up and also filled in for the reserves after playing in the 19’s that morning.
Seniors:
The Cougars led at the end of every quarter in a close contest against the Roosters, and managed to grind out a 22-point win.
Both sides had their chances in the first half, but it was Northcote Park who took a lead into half time on the back of a four goal to two second term.
West Preston came back during the third and were within a goal of the Cougars, before Liam Waldron slotted Northcote Park’s only goal of the term from the boundary line to see the Cougars lead by eight points with one quarter to play.
It was Waldron again in the last quarter who chased down a Rooster defender, allowing for Tarkyn Lockyer to kick the sealing goal.
The defence was again strong for the Cougars, this time led by Pat Considine and Julian Violato.
The Cougars now sit third on the ladder, 10 points behind next week’s opponents in Macleod.