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February 28, 2006
VFL Cats Vs. Northern Bullants
Sammy D sent The Kolonel & Seb out to Optus Oval on Saturday to get a first hand look at our reserves on the weekend, but they were in short "weak as piss" and did not attend the game due to a "storm".
This was nothing more than a terrible excuse to hit the grog early on Saturday and they have been severely punished by being made to watch the Sydney Vs. Geelong Semi Final 2005 last quarter five times straight. Inhuman I know, but they will learn from their mistakes.
So here's the VFL report lifted from the club's website:
A SEVERE storm brought the Bendigo Bank Cats’ opening practice match of 2006 to a premature end at Princes Park on Saturday.Lightning strikes in the proximity of Princes Park forced the umpires to abandon the match eight minutes into the final quarter, with the Bullants holding the ascendancy and an unassailable lead at the time.
Within minutes Optus Oval was transformed into a swamp, as the downpour - baring the characteristics of a tropical storm - intensified.
It was a stark contrast to the impeccable weather conditions that bathed Optus Oval in the opening three quarters, resulting in the installation of a makeshift ice chamber in the Geelong race to counteract the heat and offer respite to exhausted players.
Earlier, the young Cats were simply outclassed by a far more experienced Northern Bullants side comprising nearly fifteen AFL-listed players, including 2004 Carlton best and fairest winner David Teague.Final scores were Northern Bullants 11-9-75 to the Bendigo Bank Cats 6-7-43 (match abandoned).
The depleted Cats’ line up was so undermanned that only two players with AFL experienced, Andrew Mackie and Tim Callan, lined up – but neither played the match in its entirety.
Matthew Stokes, Trent West and Ryan Gamble were the only other senior listed players to participate; while rookie listed players Tim Sheringham, Nick Batchelor and Todd Grima also played.
Andrew Mackie played just over a quarter, but provided immediate impact when he was injected into the Cats’ midfield in the third term.Tim Callan, coming back from a horrendous year of injuries in 2005, played only the first half, but showed no sign of caution as he put his body on the line on numerous occasions in his typically tough style.
The debut of promising forward Todd Grima was one shining light to emerge from the match; who although limited by opportunities up forward, presented well and took a superb mark courageously backing back with the flight of the football.
West Australian import Rob Hillier lived up to the euphoria surrounding his arrival at Skilled Stadium, negating many Bullants’ forays into attack and having the nous and composure to counterattack from the half back line.
With inspirational captain James Byrne missing, and supplementary listed players Simon Clarke, Jay Cheep and Rob Condy amongst the other noticeable absentees, to even get within striking distance of last year’s powerhouse was a commendable achievement for the Cats.
The Bendigo Bank Cats begin their stretch of four home practice matches this week when they do battle with the Box Hill Hawks at Skilled Stadium on Saturday at the amended time of 12.30pm.
With the Geelong AFL team winning their way through to the quarterfinals of the NAB Cup in Cairns on Saturday night, fans wanting a footy fix should head along to Skilled Stadium on Saturday for an instalment of VFL action.A curtain raiser between Grovedale Tigers (GFL) and the Box Hill Reserves will commence at 10.00am.
Seniors match report against Carlton to follow tomorrow.
Posted by Sammy D at February 28, 2006 08:19 PM