The Camden Cats Division 2 side has finished the regular season on top of the ladder with 15 wins and 2 losses, earning themselves a week off in the first week of the BLK AFL Sydney Finals.
In their final regular season game, the Camden Cats first grade side went up against a determined and committed Penrith Rams side (who required a win over the Cats to secure a finals berth). Camden started the game slowly, unable to turn its possession into scoreboard pressure, going goalless in the first quarter. A better second quarter showing saw the Cats claw their way back into the game, outscoring Penrith to be down by only 11-points at half time. The second half was a real arm wrestle. Midfielders Mark Halteh, Joel Wheeler and Billy Wylie were the driving force behind the Cats revival in the second half, getting in to win the hard ball and providing the Camden forward line with plenty of supply. They were some of the best players for the Cats, whilst Club Captain Josiah Ayling showed that he still knows how to find the Sherrin, having one of his best games since returning from injury. With the Cats backline unable to stop the flow of goals from the opposition in the second half, not even 3 goals from meerkat Moses Newham could get the Cats across the line. The Rams played a hard, tough brand of football that Camden was unable to match on the day, the Cats eventually going down by 4 goals. The minor premiers now have the week off to recharge, regroup, and prepare for its finals assault on the 2015 BLK Division 2 Premiership Cup.
The Cats Division 4 side needed to beat Manly-Warringah at home to secure its place in the 2015 finals. On a warm winters afternoon at Fairfax Reserve, Manly dominated the centre clearances early, kicking 3 goals to nil in the first quarter. In the second quarter the Cats lifted, with ruckman Tim Georgiou and gun midfielder Jared Mullaney leading the charge, supported well by Tom Vella and Vicc Musgrave in the middle. They outscored the Giants in the second quarter, with only 3 points separating the two teams at half time. The home crowd knew they were in for a cracker of a second half and they weren’t disappointed. Manly scored three quick goals at the start of the third quarter, but the Cats fought back hard through a couple of long goals from veteran Ben “Sparrow” McDermott and off the back of some outstanding, hard and tough play from Craig Trewella, Sean Lakeman and Brendan Savage. Through the individual efforts of these three hardman, the Cats were able to stay in touch with Manly heading into the last stanza. The final quarter was hard and tough as expected, with the Cats season on the line. The home side played a great last quarter and had their chances to hit the front but eventually went down by 7-points. A disappointing end to the season for the Cats, but they will be back bigger and stronger next season.
The Camden Cats Football Club would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank the club’s lower grade coaches and physio support staff. To David “Chippy” Manchip, David “Quincy” McCarthy, Paul Love, Stuart Beveridge, Lauren Back and Heather Vella, the playing group would like to thank you for your support this season.
Last Modified on 23/08/2015 09:08