Celebrations go to plan for Poowong

POOWONG Football & Netball Club on Saturday played their neighbours Nyora for the Demon Cup before a big crowd of local supporters, past residents and Nyora supporters as part of the Poowong Communities 150th Year Celebrations. Poowong Football Club was formed in 1888 and is 136 years old, it has been an important part of the Poowong community giving residents of Poowong a sporting outlet and a community base for families to enjoy each other’s companionship. A lot of good sportspeople have come from the Poowong district, remembering back to the 1950’s when local Football League teams played Richmond Football Club in a social game at the end of the season.

 Poowong ground was in good condition for the four games, virtually no breeze and the sun shining. The netball area is excellent also, Poowong were forced to make three changes Joel Norton, Josh Chiavaroli and Ben Fowler, in for their first Poowong Senior games were Brady Rayner ‘birthday boy’,  David O’Neill up from the 3rds and Gavan Monson was available again. Unfortunately, the injuries are mounting but we have been lucky we have a good group of juniors to step up.

Poowong kicked to the Drouin Rd end and were first on the board when their captain Jack Hazendonk goaled early running into goal and he kicked their second when Zac Gray passed to Andrew Logan on to Jack. Poowong were moving the ball well but were not making the most of their opportunities by crowding their forward line.  Jake Cochrane opened the gap to twenty points with a goal then added a late point to go in a quarter time 3.3.21 to Nyora 0.0.0

Poowong’s backline were playing well supported by Jack Hazendonk, David O’Neill and Mitch De Kleuver.

The Poowong boys were asked to keep the pressure up and play down the middle they started with a pass from Zac Gray to the captain but the kick was out of bounds, they added a point before Nyora took the ball forward for their first goal from the square. Play was between the backlines helped by Poowong’s forwards allowing Nyora backs to take saving marks unopposed. Micah Williames snapped a late goal for Poowong to give them a nineteen point lead at the half way mark Poowong 4.4.28 to Nyora 1.3.9.

Poowong were on top but dropped marks were restricting their forward thrusts, Nyora were trying hard but missing a few players in the seniors attending a wedding after playing two’s.
Rory Pattinson, Mitch Malloy and Michah Williames were all playing well.

The third quarter started with Poowong adding four points, straight then a free kick down field resulted in Nyora’s second goal, Poowong moved the ball forward where Alex Henshhall goaled from the pocket and from the centre bounce Micah Williames added his second. Alex Henshall snapped a good goal for Poowong’s seventh. Nyora went forward and from a down field free kick added their third goal, Poowong replied with a good goal from Mitch Molloy to open up a thirty eight point lead at three quarter time 8.11.59 to Nyora 3.3.21.

Rory Pattinson, Alex Henshall, Mitch Malloy, Connor Cunningham and David O’Neill had good quarters to give Poowong a good lead coming into the last quarter.

The quarter opened with a point to Jake Cochrane from a good mark on the HFF, Poowong added their ninth goal when  Alex Henshall kicked his third. “Young gun” Gavan Monson grabbed the ball off the back of the pack to kick his first goal in senior football, Jake Cochrane on the end of three good passes kicked his third, with Nyora adding a point from the bounce. A bit of a scuffle on the HFF led to

Nyora receiving a free kick down the ground for their fourth, then forward Jake Cochrane kicked his fourth from CHF followed by a point, Nyora had a late kick for goal but it was punched away. Final scores Poowong 13.13.91 to Nyora 4.4.28 a sixty three point victory.

Good win to Poowong this will give the players confidence a big lift while Nyora are struggling to get their best team on the park and will improve. 

Big day for the Poowong Club with wins in the U/16’s against Nilma Darnum, The U/18’s knocked off the top side Ellinbank while the Reserves came up against a stronger Nyora team topped up by

Senior Players going to a wedding. A good result for the Poowong Club in their part of the Poowong Communities 150th Year Celebrations.