Sport
29 April, 2026
Lack of numbers continues to impede Cats’ in younger ranks
Over recent years our trips to Millicent haven’t been very successful for the young Cats. Player numbers continue to be an issue.
LCFNL – Under 17.5 Football
OVER recent years our trips to Millicent haven’t been very successful for the young Cats. Player numbers continue to be an issue. For our game on Anzac Day last Saturday we could only muster up 12 starters for the game and to make things worse, one of our prime movers, Billy Rhook, will be sitting on the sidelines long-term with a shoulder injury sustained in last week’s game. Millicent had 16 starters so generously gave us two players to even-up the numbers. Mind you, this system doesn’t always work so well as kids usually would rather play with their teammates, so it’s not a given that it will actually help your side, when they are playing for their own team.
After the Saints going directly into attack and starting the scoreboard rolling over, our boys found Archie Lane at centre half forward who went back and kicked truly; a goal on the board was a promising start. Henry Robins was one of our very best defenders for the day, with repeat efforts and denying the Saints on numerous occasions. Nate Longhurst gathered the ball and kicked over the top of the pack to roll it through the big sticks to see the umpire wave the two flags. We were making the most of our limited opportunities and we missed Archie when he left the ground early to play in the later game.
The.backs were under immense pressure. Taup Crawford used his strength, tackling continually making the opponents side-step on their way through. A new role to him, Reghan Parsons was winning more than his fair share of the ball-ups and getting back to help out in defence, taking some timely intercept marks. Continuing his good form, Riley Winters was lively around the packs and lent great support to Lucas Thomson, trying to clear the ball from the congestion to advantage of teammates. The Saints were scoring regularly but not without pressure from our backmen, who teamed well to repel as much of the barrage heading to the goal square. Overall, our team did a good job with some super contributions on the day. We made the best of our chances by kicking straight when the opportunity arose, but in the final wash-up the score board read 160 to 12, in favour of the Saints.
Under 14.5
AFTER convincing wins in rounds one and two, Millicent was made to work hard for its seven-point win over the Cats on Saturday. Finishing the forward run has been an issue for the Saints and it was no different on Saturday, Alby Lane (best-on) and Brody O’Connell fierce in defence and inaccurate Millicent kicking seeing the Saints convert just six of their 16 scoring chances. The Cats on the other hand knew just where to find the goals, the midfield delivering well to the forwards and Zeb Beaton leading the way with three majors, well-supported by Brody Davis (one Goal), Riley Gorman, Darcy Gorman (one goal) and George Robbins.
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