Lions win battle of the big cats to stay undefeated
By Lindy Stewart.
Hay Lions Seniors battled against Macorna Tigers. Seniors anticipated a tough contest against an opposition who are traditionally tough at home.
With a few ins and outs the Lions still had the bones of the team that had accounted for the previous two opponents and went into this match quietly confident they could keep their undefeated record intact.
From the onset it was clear stoppages were going to be a big factor in the game with hard defensive pressure from both sides onto opposition ball receivers, shutting down any potential for attacking chains before they had a chance to ignite. The Tigers were first to pounce, getting a major on the board after some out of character leaky defence from the Lions backline presented an early chance.
While it took a little while to respond, Hay’s attack was triggered through an on-song set shot from Jack Cattanach near the top of the 50 that never looked like missing.
With scores level at 1:1 7 for a fair chunk of the first quarter, repeated stoppages hindered forward progress with both teams struggling to break the deadlock until the Lions eventually capitalised on a couple of their clearance wins.
Two timely goals in quick succession to Will Collis and Jacob Watson made it three out of three for the Lions midfield, giving Hay a narrow 12-point lead at the first break.
While the Lions forwards had ample inside 50 entries comparatively, most of these were only half-chances at the top of the arc with no scoreboard impact as the ball went out as quickly as it went in via turnovers and strong defensive rebound. At the end of the first quarter, Lions led 3:1 19 to Macorna 1:1 7.
The second quarter was an arm wrestle, with the flow interrupted by repeated stoppages around the ground. Both teams worked hard to get first hands to the ball only to be shut down in a true ground hog day scenario, having to reset and go through it all over again.
No one gave an inch until clever roving to a precise tap down by James Moran saw Jack Cattanach stream through to snap a beauty on the run outside the 50 to give the Lions the first of the second quarter and a bit of breathing space as they increased their lead to 18 points.
Both teams continued to hunt in numbers swarming to all contests and scoring options could only to be engineered if a small window of opportunity presented through all the congestion.
The Lions’ offence seized their moments, making inroads to add three more goals amongst a handful of points to their scoreline. Jayden Kinses and Brad Pocock started to rack up intercept marks in the backline with Macorna finding it difficult to navigate their way through the Lions’ solid defensive structure.
While the Lions didn’t have the cohesion in the first half that has been evident in their previous two games, they found other ways to make sure they went into the half-time break with a comfortable lead after adding four goals for the quarter and limiting the Tigers to one. Half-time Lions were victors, 7:6 48 to Macorna 2:4 16.
With Gus Gardner and Daniel Stewart down through injury the Lions went into the third with two less bench options and needing to dig deeper to overcome this enforced deficit of player rotations.
The physicality of the game remained high through pressure acts from both teams, it was a war of attrition to see who would come out on top. Though the Lions kicked the first goal, the Tigers struck next and, making something happen out of nothing from a stoppage, hit the scoreboard for their second major.
When Macorna kicked their third goal of the quarter in a row, suddenly the gap was closed to just over 20 points and with all the momentum swinging the Tigers way, the Lions had to respond.
As in the first half when the heat was on, touches of individual brilliance from Wallis, Watson and Cattanach swung things back in Hays favour just when the Tigers were on a roll and threatening to blow apart the game.
With the next two goals to the Lions, Macorna seemed to deflate failing to add any more to their total. In the closest quarter of the game, Lions rose to every challenge Macorna threw at them lifting their intensity, getting the match back on their terms. At three quarter time Lions led strongly with 10:10 70 Macorna 5:4 34.
The pressure valve was released in the last, and the game opened right up.
After enduring the Tigers suffocating attention for three quarters, the Lions found plenty of space and options to move the ball into their offensive fifty without too much resistance. After rallying hard all day, the Tigers backline became rattled and with little left in their tanks, the Lions took advantage.
Through their own fitness and hunger, Hay had their best scoring quarter of the season booting eight goals to put the result in no doubt.
Centimetre perfect, James Moran had the ball on a string. Midfielders relished being on the end of such precise delivery, hitting up the forwards or weaving a bit of their own magic, to add to the final tally.
Two goals in the last making it five goals from five attempts, Jack Cattanach was again highly influential on the end result. One to Liam Whitbourne and Daniel Zambon, two each to the lively Simon Darlow, and key forward Declan Watson rounded out the eight goals to see the Lions run away with the game winning by 78 points.
The final score made it look like a one-sided match, belying the true story of what was really a tough and uncompromising contest that demanded plenty of resolve and endurance for the Lions to get the four points.
Credit to the team for getting the job done in what was the biggest challenge they have faced this season.
Full-time Lions 18:13 121 Macorna 6:7 43.
Coaches top six: Jack Cattanach, Will Collis, Jacob Watson, James Moran, Brad Pocock, Jayden Kinces.
Goal scorers: Jack Cattanach 5, Will Collis 3, Declan Watson 3, Daniel Zambon 2, Simon Darlow 2, and 1 each to Paddy Jubb, Liam Whitbourne and Jacob Watson.
In the most anticipated match of the season, the premiers meet the runners-up for the first time when the Lions verse Ultima at home this Saturday. Both teams are undefeated and sit two games clear on the ladder with Ultima on top purely on percentage. What a showdown it promises to be! In other Lions news, Under 12 Lions defeated Macorna 30 to 18. Verity Auldist brings to us all the results from the younger Lions AFL teams.
The infectious energy and sheer enthusiasm of our U12s shone brightly once again this week as they celebrated yet another victory, marked by a joyous rendition of our beloved club song!
Under the guidance of the dedicated Coach Simon Bunyan, these budding footy enthusiasts are not only having a blast on the field but are also honing their skills and growing as players with each passing week.
Awards: Active Farmers – Nylah Phillips, Lions Canteen – Rhyla Bunyan Under 14.5s - Hay 57 defeated Macorna 6.
The U14.5s Lions roared their way to a commanding victory over the Tigers, led by the dependable Captain Max Hutchings.
One of the standout performances came from the formidable Alex Giddins, whose three-goal kicking streak set the tone for the Lions' dominance.
Meanwhile, the young prodigy Jack Harrison made his mark felt, displaying brilliance around the ball and even showcasing his versatility with shepherding and retrieving his own ball—a testament to his skill and determination. The synergy among the athletic midfielders, Bill, Archie Dallas, and Cody, proved to be a formidable force, as they seamlessly worked together to maintain control of the game.
Best players: Max Hutchings, Alex Giddins, Jack Harrison, Bill Houston, Archie Auldist, Jagger Shields.
Goals: Alex Giddins 3, Kobe Payne 2, Max Hutching 1, Dallas Giddins 1, Ned Williamson. Awards - Hay Foodworks - Grace Auldist, Hay Newsagency - Cody Griffiths, Christo's Steel Structures - Seth May, Sprout Ag - Max Hutchings, Jan Auldist award - Jack Harrison Under 17.5s - Hay 0 Macorna 151 Best players – Bailey Caughey, Dan Jamieson, Devlin Clarke, Wil Sloan, Josh Gardiner, Seth May.
Awards – Elders – Seth May, Ricks Parks and Gardens – Dan Jamieson, Max Perrignon Award – Josh Gardiner, Hay Newsagency – Lachlan Spence, Elders – Bailey Caughey Reserves - Hay 9 Macorna 86.
Best Players – Harrison Dowling, Will Simpson, Bailey Caughey, Mason Anderson, Bill Auldist, Isaac Gardiner.
Goals – Harrison Dowling 1 Awards – Riverina Hotel – Will Simpson, DG Harrison & Sons – Mason Anderson,
Players’ Player – Harrison Dowling.
Pictured are Lions First Grade Coaching team of Mick Cattanach and Jason Aylett, who watch on with Lindy Stewart and Isaac Gardiner as the Lions play. First Grade have had a stellar season so far, currently undefeated. Image: The Riverine Grazier/Margie McClelland.
