Poor second half costly for Cats

The Cooma Cats suffered their second loss of the 2010 season with a second half capitulation to the Harman Hogs in Canberra on Saturday (01 May).
On a day perfect day for football, the Cats lost their focus in a second half dominated by a hard running, skillful and determined Hogs unit who ran out winners by 10 goals: 17-11-113 to 7-5-47.
Cooma Cats’ Club President Dave Paterson described the second half performance as disappointing after the Cats showed great courage and determination in the first.
“The Hogs jumped us in the first two minutes of the game with three quick goals, but to their credit the boys steadied and replied with two of their own,” Dave said.
“The boys quickly regrouped, and took the game right up to their much fancied rivals,” he said.
The game settled into a tough struggle, with both sides going goal for goal for the remainder of the first half.
“When the half-time siren went, the Harman Hogs led by three goals - the Cats having surprised everyone and matching the Hogs kick for kick to that point,” Dave said.
The Cats’ pressure and intensity was at its best in the second quarter, and it looked as though they were in with a good chance to cause an upset.
“The efforts by Mick Dawes on the ball, and Mick Johnston up forward were exceptional. They were well supported by Darren Turner in the ruck, Daniel Bourke in the centre and Heath McCrea on the half-back flank,” Dave said.
The highlight of the second quarter, and probably the game for the Cats, was an amazing, snapped goal from the forward pocket by teenage first-gamer Jake Burns.
“It was a classic example of perseverance and speed,” Dave said.
Another highlight of the quarter was when Mick Johnston and Damien Asanovski combined with brilliant talk and teamwork to kick another Cats’ goal and swing the momentum the Cats’ way.
But that was as good as it got for the Cats who only managed another two goals in the game – both in the final quarter after being held goalless in the third. Meanwhile the Hogs kicked away with nine in the second half.
Good players for the Cats were hard to find in the second half, with repeated and costly turnovers and a lack of direction spreading through the team under the relentless pressure from the Hogs.
“All credit to the Hogs for their win today, they shut us out of the game in the second half and are obviously going to be a good side this year,” Dave said.
Nevertheless, there we some positives for the Cats to take away from the game.
“While it was a disappointing result, at the end of the day we are two wins and two losses after four rounds and sitting in the middle of the ladder,” Dave said.
“We’ll look at this at training during the week, regroup and refocus and look to go forward – it’s still early days yet,” he said.
One of the players to really stand up in the second half was Michael Gratwick on the wing who consistently put his body on the line and never gave anything less than 110 per cent – he provided a good example to many with his fearless play and determination when the chips were down.
The Cats are on the road again for the third week in a row when they travel to Canberra to take on the highly fancied ANU in what will be another tough test for the Cats.
Cats’ best: Mick Dawes, Mick Johnston, Mal Paterson, Mick Gratwick and Heath McCrea.
Cats’ goal scorers: Damian Asanovski and Tony Fleming 2, Jake Burns, Mick Johnston and Travis Duroux one each.
A video match report is available on YouTube.