Cats make it two in a row at Jindabyne

While the Cooma Cats easily outplayed the Gungahlin Jets, AFL football in the Snowy Mountains was the big winner on Saturday (17 April).
Taking to Jindabyne’s Station Resort Oval in the foothills of the Snowy Mountains on a magnificent autumn day, the Cooma Cats snared a second straight win with an emphatic 32-20-212 to 4-3-27 victory over a struggling but determined Gungahlin Jets’ side.
Cooma Cats Club President Dave Paterson said that while the big win was a great victory for the club, it was also a great win for AFL footy in the Snowy Mountains.
“We have put a lot of work into getting one of our home games played in Jindabyne, so to see the Cats run out onto a magnificent field on a perfect autumn day – and have a big win – was a great sight for all AFL fans in the region,” Dave said.
But the big win does not mean the Cats can afford to relax.
“It’s the start of a very long season and there are going to be ups and down along the way,” Dave said.
“We can’t afford to get complacent on the back of two very good wins if we want to be a force in the competition - a force that we know we can be.
“That said, this weekend’s result was a result the boys can be rightly proud of and they deserve to feel confident about their form the club’s prospects this season,” he said.
The Cats dominated the game from the opening bounce, kicking nine goals in both the first and second quarters.
The Cats’ defence, lead by club vice-captain Jimmy Russell and strongly supported by Dave Maxwell across the half back flank provided a tireless foil against any possible Gungahlin attack.
Meanwhile, centre-half forward Tony Fleming spearheaded the Cats’ attack, finishing with seven majors for the day. He was well supported by full-forward Shaun Allen who dominated in the first half and finished with four goals for the day in another strong performance, and Michael Johnston who also contributed four goals.
Club Coach Damien Asanovski also chipped in with a strong performance across the centre and into attack.
“It was a day where everyone played well, doing what they were supposed to do,” Dave said.
“There wasn’t a bad Cats’ player on the day, and the teamwork being displayed on the field is a real tribute to the ways the blokes are training in numbers during the week.
The only downside of the Cats’ performance was their inaccuracy in front of goals, kicking 20 behinds – many of which should have been goals.
And while the Cats dominated everywhere on the field, the Gunghalin Jets to their credit did not throw in the towel and battled hard throughout the game.
In a great display of AFL spirit, at the conclusion of the game the Cats formed a guard of honour for the beaten Jets as they left the field – applauding their never say die efforts in a one-sided game.
“The spirit among the playing group and the entire Cats’ community is as strong as it has ever been, and it is a spirit reflected in a club culture focused on the pure enjoyment of playing the game for everyone involved on and off the field,” he said.
Next weekend’s game against the Yass Roos in Yass is shaping up to be a real test of where the Cats are at in season 2010.
“It’s a big road trip away to play a tough and successful team – so it’s not going to be easy. We have always struggled against Yass, so it is going to be a real challenge,” Dave said.
“However, there is no reason why this Cats’ team cannot go up to Yass and continue the great form it has demonstrated so far this season – form based on teamwork and playing the game for the love of it,” he said.
This week’s main goal kickers were: Tony Fleming 7; Shaun Allen and Michael Johnston 4; Damien Asanovski and Stuart Wood 3, and doubles to Corey Tucker, Michael Gratwick Nathan Lockhart, David Maxwell and Rob Stapleton.
This week’s prize winners were: the Capital Pizza Award – Tony Fleming; the Cooma’s Original Hot Bake Award – Dave Maxwell; the Club Six Pack Award – Jimmy Russell; and the new Shell Region Service Station Award – Shaun Allen.
Cats Coach Damien Asanovski also paid special tribute to three Cats’ players who pulled on Gungahlin jumpers for the day to help the Jets out.
“Mark Macklan, Jake Byrnes and Luke Barrett demonstrated the Cats’ club values by playing for the Jets – values which show the Cats are all about playing AFL footy for the love of the game. Their efforts were a real credit to themselves and the club,” he said.
A video report on the Cats’ win can also be seen on You Tube.