Magpies ruffled by the finals bound Cats

POOWONG welcomed Neerim South on Saturday in all grades of netball and football, with a large crowd in attendance as there has been all season. Great weather for football in the last home and away game of the 2024 season. It has been a good year for the Poowong Football Club with a young Senior side playing well and the junior netball and junior football teams all playing in the finals, the Club fielded teams in every fixture.

The day started with the fourths, though defeated they played well hopefully we will be at full strength next Sunday at Catani against Nilma Darnum, the thirds do not play next weekend after finishing on top of the ladder after having a good win against Neerim South.

The Reserves had a tough game, as has occurred most of the season, they did allow many local footballers to play football every Saturday, but there was improvement as the season went on, thanks to the players and the Coach for showing up each week.

The Seniors coming off a bye made one change, Andrew Logan back in from injury with U/18 player Anthony Orisini rested. Poowong kicking to the Drouin Road end started positively going forward.

Unfortunately, the first three kicks for goal were all points, a missed opportunity to put Neerim South under pressure. Steven McInnes from the forward pocket kicked Poowong’s first goal, Neerim South came back with two goals to take the lead. Players from both sides were working hard, Poowong added a goal when Steve McInnes kicked his second to give Poowong the lead. The play was stopped when Poowong lost a player after a tackle on the boundary line.

The second quarter started with Neerim South kicking a good goal from the boundary, Poowong was going forward but was unable to finish off as Neerim South's defence cleared the ball. Neerim South kicked another goal from the boundary before Micah Williams kicked Poowong’s third from CHF.

Poowong were right in the game at half time but their failure to finish off up forward was hurting them, Zac Gray, Joel Morton, Jack Hazendonk, Connor Cunningham and Andrew Logan were playing well.

The third quarter started with Neerim South adding two goals to open up their lead to 25 points, Poowong added a point from a kick off the ground before a Neerim South kick rolled through an open goal. Poowong was not giving up with a kick hitting the post, Connor Cunningham kicked Poowong’s fourth. Jack Hazendonk then went for the long run with three or four bounces to hit the post.

Poowong needed a good start. Connor Cunningham marked at CHF, the kick was offline for a point and Neerim South put the game out of Poowong’s reach with two goals. The game played out with Poowong kicking across the goal no score then hitting the post, including a kick out of bounds, Neerim South finished off with six points.

Poowong needs to find a focal point up forward between seasons to make the most of the opportunities from downfield. Poowong allowed many Junior players to play Seniors during the season and this is showing up in the Under 18’s performances late in the season.

The PFCN Club would like to thank all the volunteers, coaches and trainers, canteen and bar staff for their assistance during the season. Watch out for the windup dates on the website for Junior and Seniors and keep supporting our Junior netballers and footballers in the finals.