UGSFL Round 14: Botha wins leading goalkicker title after big bag, Eagles thrashed and Wanderers edge Cougars

Katanning Wanderers ground out a hard-fought 13-point win over Brookton-Pingelly in a game that never reached any great heights at Brookton in the final round of the regular season on Sunday. Having already secured a top-two spot, the Tigers won the toss and had an early goal through forward Caleb Keley. Panthers star Lloyd Padwick won a lot of the football against Deklan Georgy in early exchanges but a number of his kicks dropped short of the goals or missed completely. Both defences were on top and it took a bit of Dionne Woods magic to add the visitors’ second before Jacob Sounness replied at the other end, but the Tigers led by seven points at the first break. The second quarter was Padwick’s, as in a five-minute burst he was able to lead strongly and mark, despite the close attention of Georgy, and kicked three goals to put the Panthers in front for the first time. The Tigers fought back with goals to Keley and Woods but scores were level at the long break. Defenders Liam Hansen and Georgy tightened their grip on the Panthers’ forwards as the visitors held the Panthers goalless in the third. Keley kicked his third after a strong low mark and Josh McMahon snapped a clever goal on the siren to give the Tigers a 12-point buffer at three-quarter time. There were limited scoring opportunities in the last quarter as both sides tired. Padwick closed the gap with his fourth but Codie Mills-Durack made the game safe for the Tigers with a snap from close range, his side prevailing 7.9 (51) to 5.8 (38). The Tigers were best served by Mitchell Banks, who rucked strongly all day and linked defence to attack well, despite Padwick’s four goals Georgy won many contests during the game, Hansen again marked or spoiled when necessary, Reece Nicholson worked strongly and McMahon roved the packs well. For the home side, Jordan Hughes used the ball well all day, Vaughan Baker rucked strongly, Noah Bowen-Zoccoli used his pace to break open the play, Padwick booted four goals and Callum Giles-Morton on his wing was courageous. An interesting sidelight to the game was the contest between Padwick and Woods for the UGSFL leading goal-kicker title. Padwick went into the game leading Woods by four goals, as he kicked four goals and Woods managed two. He looked to have won the goalkicking award, unaware that Eric Botha had kicked 11 for Kukerin-Dumbleyung against Narrogin, to win the award by a single major. Botha’s brilliant haul lifted the Cougars to an impressive 35-point win over Narrogin in Narrogin. The visitors had five goals on the board at quarter-time and never looked back, leading at every change on their way to a 15.18 (108) to 11.7 (73) victory. Botha was well-supported by Nathan Phillips, Byron Blevin and Justin Joyce (two goals). Jesse Heywood booted four majors for the home side while Jordan Heil (two) and Tom Kilpatrick also toiled hard. In the other round 14 matches, minor premiers Wickepin ran out 58-point winners over Wagin in Wickepin. A dominant first quarter was the catalyst for the win as they kicked six unanswered goals. Warriors forward Callum Sims kicked six goals in the 16.15 (111) to 8.5 (53) result. Boddington were thrashed on the eve of the finals, going down by 91 points to Williams. The Cats led by 30 points at half-time and then asserted their dominance at home after the long break, winning 18.10 (118) to 3.9 (27), as Izzac Barry and Nick Panizza kicked four goals apiece.