UGSFL 2023: Cats control second half to claim preliminary final and knock out Warriors in straight sets

Williams booked a place in this year’s Upper Great Southern Football League “big dance” after disposing of last year’s grand finalists Wickepin by 15 points in the preliminary final at Quartermaine Oval on Sunday. The Cats held the Warriors goalless in the second half to set up their 6.11 (47) to 4.8 (32) victory and secure a date in the grand final against Katanning Wanderers this Sunday. An Addison Dew masterclass proved the difference between the two sides, with the mercurial forward finishing with a game-high three goals to steer the Cats to victory. The Cats led by a point at the final change but a trademark snap out of stoppage from Dew gave his side an eight-point lead. Ryan Belotti added his first soon after and the task to recover a 14-point margin became increasingly difficult for the Warriors. The Warriors frantically attempted to move the ball as quickly as possible but were unable to break through the Cats’ terrific defence. Both teams battled harsh crosswinds for the entire match but it was the Warriors who adapted the quickest. Warriors’ Luke Crouch and Jaxon Ramsay combined to boot the opening goals of the match before Cats big man Gerard Medlen (two goals) converted his first on the stroke of quarter time to cut the margin to four points. Former Claremont product Dew (three goals) gave the Cats the lead at the start of the second term when he snapped truly out of stoppage to convert his first major. Former WAFL pair Jack O’Sullivan and Matthew Jukes responded in the dying seconds of the quarter booting two red-time goals to snatch back the lead for the Warriors. The Warriors held an 11-point advantage at the main break but would not kick another goal for the remainder of the game. The third term began as an arm wrestle but the Cats drew first blood through a Medlen set shot. Moments later Dew, who was a constant headache for opposition defenders, snapped brilliantly from 40m to regain the lead. Cats’ defender Charlie Morfesse was a pillar in defence seemingly intercepting everything that came his way. Jonty Petchell provided a tall target up forward and clunked pack marks to relieve pressure for his side when exiting the defensive half. The influence of Cats’ superstar and this year’s Leo Graham medallist Simon Panizza was nullified by constant attention from opposition players. Riley Cunningham, Ollie Kable and Cam Stedman were also key contributors for the Cats. Ryan Melvin collected dozens of possessions for the Warriors and Joshua Houwen rebounded tirelessly of half-back all day. Fraser Wittwer and Jordan Flavel also toiled hard for the Warriors but their season came to an end, exiting the finals series in straight sets. The Cats now clash with rivals Tigers in Sunday’s league premiership decider at Wagin.