The Blighty seniors were quietly confident of a better performance than in recent weeks, with several Melbourne players returning to the side and some good quarters of football recently.
The team was hoping to bring it all together for another win against a side going into a finals series, which would have been a great boost for Blighty while trying to plan for next season.
However, standing flat-footed at the first bounce doesn’t get the job done against a bigger, faster finals contender and the Swans booted away with a big lead after the first and didn’t give the Redeyes a look in.
Blighty played some good rebound football in the second, third, and fourth quarters but clearly missed a couple of big, strong forwards, and Katunga were able to repel, although under pressure, but found a way back to their forwards.
The Melbourne boys were prominent and Allan Gardiner, Luke Charlton, Rusty Milward and Kyel Bain all played well.
Issac Suckling also hung tough in defence, but the Swans were too strong and had a comfortable win.
Final score: Blighty 2.0.(16) def by Katunga 25.11(161).
Reserves
The Blighty reserves stepped out a bit short-handed on Saturday at the Swans’ nest, with several players going up to the seniors, a few injuries and some absentees.
However, the Redeyes did their best, showing plenty of fight and determination against a pretty well-drilled Katunga.
The Swans game out with a nine-goal first quarter, pretty much putting it out of the Redeyes’ reach early.
Blighty rallied in the second and third, but the Swans dominated the last to run away with a pretty big win.
The reserves have come a long way this season, although it hasn’t necessarily shown on the scoreboard.
Different plays have been introduced throughout the year, which the Redeyes have executed on occasion.
This shows the reserves have been in for the fight all year, striving to get better.
Zac Thomson, Billy Lawes, Christopher Hovenden and Dion Winter led the way for Blighty.
Jhi Dudley, Sammy Dudley and Tyson Maltmans also fought hard for four quarters.
Final score: Blighty 0.0 (0) def by Katunga 33.14 (212).
Fourths
It was a tough game against Katunga for the Blighty fourths.
They played true to form, continuing to never to give up.
Katunga were just too big for them.
Andrew Frost started to get into the game, taking some good marks.
Hudson Kelly continued his good form from last week, which was very exciting.
Tommy Bain ran all game in the centre along with sister Pip Bain, who fought hard for the contested ball.
This week’s best-on-ground went to William Frost, who didn’t stop all game, starting in the ruck and moving into the ruck-rover position.
Logan Andrews continues his great work in the back pocket and is becoming a forceful defender.
Milly Hanmer was given a loose player role in defence, trying to stop the running Katunga centre half-forwards.
Mitch Bain was given one of the tough jobs of the day at full-back.
He did his best there all day.
Mitch Bain and Logan Andrews are becoming great defenders.
Final score: Blighty 0.0 (0) def by Katunga 26.16 (172).
Fifths
The Blighty Fifths had a great day at Katunga on Saturday.
These kids are amazing in the way they go about their game.
The Redeyes are very proud of them.
The team has one game to go.
As a coach for two years, I can walk away and say it’s been a pleasure to coach them.
The commitment of this group has been great.
The best were Blake Hunter, Jack Brown, Zane Sibraa, Ben Mack and Degan Ryan great effort.
Final score: Not scored.