Blues sink Cats in epic preliminary final
Catani have advanced to the Ellinbank District Football League grand final, accounting for Neerim-Neerim South in a low scoring but epic preliminary final, 6-6 (42) to 5-10 (40).
The Blues held a slight edge throughout the contest to win through, as Neerim-Neerim South’s recent poor record in finals continued to see them bundled out in straight sets.
Having been a dominant team during recent home and away seasons, the pressure of finals football again seemed to get the better of the Cats.
With the match played in heavy conditions, a dirty day for the Cats was made worse with Michael Urie placed on report for a strike.
Accurate kicking at goal helped the Blues hold a narrow lead throughout the first half, but it was still all to play for the with Blues just three points to the good at three-quarter-time.
While the Longwarry club presented the ground in excellent condition considering the downpour during the week, intermittent rain on Saturday saw the last quarter of the senior match come down to a real slog.
Paul Pattison sent the ball forward first for the Blues, but the attack was forced out of bounds.
A rushed behind to the Cats closed the gap to two points to set up an exciting finish for the strong crowd.
Pattison continued his reputation as one of the Blues’ better players, willing his side forward again but a ball up was forced.
James Alexander sent the Blues forward again, but Owen Fitzpatrick had his run blocked by four opponents and the Cats were able to clear.
The Blues were showing desperation in the final term, and went forward again only to have the opportunity spoiled.
The Cats went forward against the run of play, but the ball drifted out of bounds.
Catani went long, only for a Cats player to affect a flying spoil from the side in an inspirational act to set up an attack.
Chris Redl went long, only for a teammate to be caught holding the ball.
Antonio Benvenuto intercepted for the Blues and looked for Fitzpatrick, but his marking attempt was spoiled with the Cats defence following up to win a free kick for holding the ball.
Michael Urie took a strong mark to set up Redl on the lead, but his shot missed.
Trailing by just one point, the Cats cleared again but couldn’t pick up the slippery ball and missed a soccer kick to allow the Blues to force a ball up.
Catani worked forward and won a free kick at half forward, finding Fitzpatrick for a strong mark but his shot missed.
The Cats chipped their way out of defence, helped by Calum Shiels drawing a 50 metre penalty for late contact.
The Cats soccered forward, only to be caught holding the ball to earn a reprieve for the Blues.
Aiden Dibsdale sent the Cats forward again and while a ball up was forced, the Blues then won another free kick for holding the ball.
The scrappy nature of the contest and poor passing options under pressure resulted in several free kicks for holding the ball against the Cats in their forward 50, ultimately killing any chances to score.
An inspirational mark running back with the flight from Cuff saw the Cats denied again.
The Cats went long to honour a long lead at half forward, but couldn’t keep the ball in play as the Blues rushed for a minor score.
Despite feeling hard done by in their forward 50, the Cats won a similar free kick for holding the ball up the ground to set up their next attack.
The Cats went long but the ball went out of bounds off hands before the Blues managed to clear.
Neerim-Neerim South won another free kick for holding the ball, but the attack was cut off with a strong mark by a Catani defender.
The Cats went forward again from a free kick but again the attack fell off hands and the Blues were able to clear.
The Blues went long and found Ryan Eaton in space, but his shot missed.
Earlier, it was Catani’s better accuracy that enabled them to hold a narrow lead across the first three quarters with some wasted opportunities hurting the Cats.
The Cats won the first clearance of the match and while a good lead from Chris Redl was honoured, he had his marking attempt spoiled.
The Cats scrapped forward again, with Daniel Fusinato centring to Michael Urie who snapped the goal.
The Blues were quick to respond, going long to find Owen Fitzpatrick one out to level the scores.
Kody Wilson kicked a good goal from the pocket following a boundary throw in, but again the Blues responded with a long goal to level the scores.
A strong mark from Brandon Scammell and intercept from Paul Pattison cut off attacks as the Blues defence held firm.
A flying shot missed for the Cats, while a snap from Fusinato faded and just missed.
Alex Gavin sent the ball forward with a soccer kick, but the resultant shot on goal missed.
At the other end the Blues capitalised on an opportunity. Pattison marked in defence to find Antonio Benvenuto, with the Blues able to crumb a goal from a Fitzpatrick contest to head into the first change with a three-point lead.
The Cats were quick to score in the second term, with Wilson finding Fusinato in space to set up a snap on goal.
Pattison kicked a good goal from the half forward flank for another immediate reply for the Blues.
Michael Urie won a free kick at a boundary throw in to send the Cats forward with a long kick, but the snap on goal was touched on the last line.
The Cats took a long shot and it missed.
Dylan Williams evaded his opponent and sent the ball long down the line for Fitzpatrick to mark. He was gifted with a 50metre penalty to put him well and truly in range to see the Blues lead by six-points at the long break.
The Cats kicked an early goal in the third term to level the scores and tighten the contest in the trying conditions.
A free kick and 50 metre penalty gifted a goal to John Alexander to put the Blues clear again.
The Blues began to get on top, but could only register minor scores for their efforts.
A Benvenuto soccer shot didn’t quite have the carry and it was rushed. Nicholas Visser centred but James Alexander missed.
Eaton went long and while the kick fell short of a Fitzpatrick lead, the Blues received a reprieve with a free kick to Hayden Lownds for high contact, but his shot missed.
The Cats were able to break through, finding Tyssen Morrow on the lead to close the margin to three points at the final change.
With the ground becoming heavy in the final term, scoring continued to prove difficult as the sides could only manage minor scores as they slogged it out.
The Cats closed the margin to one-point in a tense finish, but the siren sounded soon after Eaton’s miss to put the Blues two points clear, resulting in elation in the Blues’ camp and devastation for the Cats.
Neerim-Neerim South players showed their frustrations, yelling out obscenities, while club officials also vented their frustrations in a post-match verbal attack on the umpires.