Round 2 - Battle of the Cats

Tigers Claw Panthers But Hamstrings Ruled!!!

SNAP, SNAP, SNAP

South certainly came to play last Sunday at the home of the all conquering Hills Supertigers.

The first quarter saw South jump the Tigers in a display of hard running and direct kicking, mainly attributed to the early dominance of South's "Super Athlete" Woody and State Reps David Slattery & Mark Scholl but the Hills boys rallied late in the quarter to go into the first change in the lead.

Rookie Ruckman, Damon Wilson, was greatly welcomed by Hill's big guy Aleks Bojanic who has been the lone hand in the big man department for the past 2 seasons and now says that he is only half as sore as he used to be. Wilson lent a strong hand dropping back into defence with a number of strong marks and challenges. Bojanic & Wilson controlled the stoppages with many direct taps to team mates.

The forward line of Gary Magee, Sean Watt, 'Snappy' Tom Hancock & Dave McGill converted all that came their way but it was the continued 'REBIRTH' of club stalwart Chris Hill that drew gasps from supporters.

The Hill's defence again was uncompromising. The surprise selection of Simon Kemp & Mark Jaensch changing at full back was intriguing but stand in player coach, Dick Kleeman's decision paid dividends early with Kemp controlling the last line of defence with strong marking and run.

A very mobile back line with the likes of Chris Geraghty, Ron Berry & Tony Oates kept the ball moving forward but the efforts of Dave 'Runt' Wundtke, who found himself in the forward fifty on several occassions early in the game was another highlight.

Although drawing the wrath of coach Kleeman at half time and being told to stay in the back fifty 'Runt' continued, finally scoring a goal in the last quarter. His celebrations were however cut short when he struggled to get to his feet saying that he was 'stuffed'.

The early loss of Damian Dolman with a 'pinged' calf saw him reduced to filling the water bottles but he did draw upon inner strength to return to the field briefly to cover other injuries.

It was again the dominant performance of the ultra skilled centre line that shone.

Kemp & Jaensch when not at full back were superb, second gamer Wayne Seymour worked extremely hard reading the hand of ruckmen Bojanic & Wilson, wingers Alex Tucker & elusive Kim Pearce (did he actually have an opponent?) were untouchable & 2008 Player of the Year Dick Kleeman again undertook to destroy the opposition with the Panthers having no answer to his speed, strength and non-conventional coaching moves.

The 'Battle of the Cats' got off to a shaky start with the official umpires not turning up...'What is Lobethal too far or did they have an AFL engagement?'

The Hill's duo of Ross Wall & Dale Wylie took on the umpiring duties sharing a half each whilst playing on field for the other...an interesting concept and the question was asked...did they impact more as umpires or as players? The jury is still out on that one.

BUT the story of the day was the ever growing list of hamstring injuries...a double 'hammy' to Tommy Hancock certainly justifying his nickname of 'Snappy', a last quarter strain to 'Specky' Magee, a very sore Sean Watt and a limping Tony Oates. The Supertigers are looking to acquire their own hyperbaric chamber but are looking to the more fancied 'HYPOCHONDRIAC CHAMBER'.

Although the score board refelected an easy 11 goal win it was a hard fought game. The margin surprising the Hill's boys.

Final Score:

Hills 17 - 11

South 6 - 11

Round 3

Hills vs East at Reynella Sunday 3rd May @ 2.30pm