Lions tough it out against the Swans to stay undefeated

18 intercept possessions to Pocock to be named amongst Hay’s best

By Hay Lions Football and Netball Club

Hay Lions hit the bitumen for the second week in a row heading south to Swan territory in round 7 of AFL Golden Rivers football.

While Moulamein are bottom of the ladder, against Ultima last week they took it up to the Kangaroos for three quarters, showing they are the big improvers after a demolition job against them in round one. On home turf and with nothing to lose, the Lions anticipated a tough contest without the firepower of both Watsons, Will Collis and Joel Crocker. On a positive, locally developed players made up the bulk of the named side, with several in new positions, keenly anticipating the challenge they had been set.

Moulamein brought the physicality from the opening centre clearance. Rewarded with an early free, they hit up their forward line to notch the first goal of the match in a lucky strike at the first minute mark. It didn’t take long for the Lions to respond through an intercept mark to Jack Cattanach midfield and a sharp offload to Cooper Scott, hitting up Tom Spence, 45 out, who kicked straight as an arrow to get the Lions on the scoreboard.

While the Swans managed to get their hands on enough ball hrough precision rucking from the master Heath Maloney, the Lions midfield applied good tackle pressure around clearances neutralising any advantage that the Moulamein on-ballers gained from their ruck dominance. Despite the early heat from Moulamein, the Lions were controlled in their ball disposal utilising a short possession game to present opportunities to the forwards.

Tom Spence and Liam Whitborne set the tone early with their composed long-range goals in the first quarter from the top of the 50 arc, with the Swans no doubt regretting multiple close-range misses that would have set them up, putting the game on their terms.

Quarter time Lions 4:3 27 Moulamein 1:4 10

Working around turnovers from both teams between the arcs, it took a while for the Lions to get their first genuine opportunity to hit the scoreboard in the second. Good numbers around the ball and slick hands under pressure to free running players, eventually hit up Paddy Jubb, presenting front and centre in a dominant contested marking display to slot his first goal. Another splattering of consecutive behinds from the Lions had the scoreboard slowly ticking over but it wasn’t until deep in the second quarter that the Lions managed to add another goal to the total, breaking the run of points. A converted free outside the 50 to Jack Cattanach, keeping his 100 per cent conversion strike rate intact increased the Lions lead to thirty plus.

While continuing to have enough possession from clearances, the Swans again failed to take advantage with wayward inside fifty entries quickly picked off by the golden fist of Jeddy or repeatedly intercepted by Brad Pocock, looking dangerous and deadly every time he had the ball.

Cooper Scott, relishing his midfield role, covered a lot of territory in offence and defence as a consistent link in the transition chain.

As expected, Angus Gardner brought the pressure into the centre, with his tackle count accumulating from the onset forcing stoppages and crafting turnovers.

Jensen Hargreaves used his leg speed and explosive power to thunder out of stoppages, leaving the Swans defence chasing air and full of holes, unable to stop the surge into the Lions 50 zone.

A backline dominance that crushed any attacking potential for the Swans and a reasonable return from inside fifty entries against an unpredictable breeze, saw the Lions head into the half-time break with a 41-point lead.

Lions 7:10 52 Swans 1:5 11

The first 15 minutes of the third was a tussle with plenty of aggression, turnovers and both teams shy of the middle sticks inside their respective 50s notching up points while working hard to keep the ball trapped in their own attacking half. A timely intercept to Jack Cattanach, straight to Tom Spence at the top of the 50 and fast hands to a roving Liam Whitbourne saw the Lions make the first major scoreboard move while Moulamein could not escape the curse of the behind, failing again to add any early goals when opportunity presented. Two goals in quick succession courtesy of a banana bender on a tight angle from Jack Bone and a 40-metre set shot from Jensen gave the Lions a 58-point lead heading into the last. With inside 50 entries quite even, the Lions were efficient comparatively when going for goal, while Moulamein could only manage four points in another wasteful return for effort.

Lions 10:13 73 Swans 1:9 15

The Lions made the first strike in the last with Tom Spence slotting his third goal of the game and all the momentum seemingly in favour of Hay. The Swans however still had a bit of life in their legs, with their forwards finally managing to synchronise their inside fifty marking, overcoming their kicking woes to score two goals in succession while the Lions did not add further to their tally.

For the Lions it was an impressive team win with all players fulfilling their roles and contributing in positive ways to the end result. Employing the short, controlled disposal game with players backing each other up, ensured the Lions had plenty of options going forward and back throughout the match.

Moulamein had no answer for the Lions outside speed, run and carry game, which was a potent weapon for the team, providing multiple inside fifty opportunities. When the moment presented, the Lions were far more accurate in front of goals with the Swans butchering seemingly unmissable shots at their own peril.

For the Lions, Brad Pocock was superb, amassing 18 intercept possessions at critical times in the game nullifying the Moulamein attack repeatedly. His exceptional reading of the play, organisation and leadership were the key to the backline being so hard to score against.

Coaches top six - Brad Pocock, Jensen Hargreaves, Jack Cattanach, Cooper Scott, Angus Gardner and Tom McGufficke.

Goal scorers - Tom Spence 3, Liam Whitbourne 2, with singles to Jack Cattanach, Jensen Hargreaves, Patrick Jubb, Jack Bone, Hugh Crighton and Max Cooper.

Final score Lions 11:16 82 Swans 3:11 29