350 game milestone for Hay Lion’s Bill Auldist

Hay Lions stalwart Bill Auldist (left) played his 350th senior game of AFL for the club.

The honour makes him just the third Lion to achieve this milestone, beside local legends the late Ron Headon and Brian Harrington.

At just 17, Auldist played in the 1995 premiership side and has collected multiple best and fairest and most valuable player awards throughout his stellar career.

On Saturday Bill took to the field at Hay Park in the reserve grade clash against visiting Moulamein Swans.

The Lions held on to take a narrow four-point win, to mark the special occasion.

Final score: Hay 6.5-41 defeated Moulamein 5.7-37.

Image: The Riverine Grazier / Margie McClelland

Lions dominate Swans seniors

By Hay Lions Football & Netball Club

Hay Lions and the dark horse of the competition, Moulamein Swans, met for the third time this season in round 11 of Golden rivers.

A few ins and out for both teams made it an intriguing contest.

Cold blustery conditions with rain looming made the toss a critical factor. Fortunately for Hay, the result went their way, giving them first use of the strong wind.

Moulamein brought uninspiring footy in the opening quarter, applying minimal defensive pressure as the Lions brought the offence in an explosive attack on the scoreboard.

The J factor was on show with seven of the nine goals attributed to the two Jacks. The opposition were unable to stop Jack Cattanach’s push forward from clearance that inflicted maximum damage every time he was in range.

Jack Headon bookended the goal tally, kicking the first and last on his merry way to bagging five in another standout forward craft performance. In front, on the run, snap around the body and long range, Headon’s imprint on the game was instant and unstoppable.

Midfielders Jacob Watson, Jack and Ferg Cattanach and Hugh Crighton were slick around every contest. They linked strongly, finding plenty of ball and with that provided the forwards with plenty of opportunity.

Restricting the Swans to one behind, the Lions set themselves up in that first quarter in a scoring flourish that would not be topped for the remainder of the match.

Against the wind Hay hit the scoreboard first and early in the second quarter, after Jack Headon instigated a turnover deep inside Hay’s 50.

Cool under pressure, Hilton Hargreaves changed tack catching the defence out to snap the opener, the perfect response to quick hands over the top from Headon.

This was the only major scored for the rest of the quarter, with the Swans unable to take advantage of the wind. Defensive repel from the Lions backline kept Moulamein to three behinds. Brad Pocock marked everything that came his way while Andrew Low was a welcome big body intimidation factor, that put constant pressure on the ball carrier.

Moulamein found their pressure game from half-time onwards and the Lions had to earn their goals taking until the 11th minute mark of the third quarter to get the first goal. A perfectly nailed long range set shot from Ferg Cattanach did not deviate off the boot, sailing dead centre through the middle posts.

With the J factor taking care of the next three goals, the Lions went into the last break holding a commanding 91-point lead, again stopping the Swans from getting their first six-pointer.

Neither team added to their total in the last as visibility was reduced and the ball was slipperier than a cake of soap.

Having early goals on the board was a blessing, as the weather turned bitter and repeated stoppage with no advantage became the order of the day. It was a quarter to be endured until the final siren rang.

A notable feature of the Lions attack was their team-first mentality reflected in multiple pinpoint handballs from players who had the vision to hit up others in better positions inside the fifty. This directly influenced goals scored.

Final score: Hay 14:12-96 defeated Moulamein 0:5-5

Goals: Jack Headon 7, Jack Cattanach 3, Cooper Scott, Dean Aylett, Ferg Cattanach, Hilton Hargreaves.

Coaches top six: Jack Cattanach, Ferg Cattanach, Jack Headon, Jacob Watson, Brad Pocock and Simon Darlow.

Jack Cattanach attracts the attention, but still finds plenty of ball to make things happen.

Inside and outside his impact on the game was from the opening bounce. A lethal blend of elite ball skills, physicality and tactical intelligence, Jack’s individual impact cannot be underestimated.

Ferg Cattanach, a clearance specialist, is always in the thick of it and composed under any defensive pressure. His elite decision- making in choosing the right option at the right time out of clearance sparks many offensive chains that have maximum impact.

The wizard Jack Headon individually set the Lions up with his opening five goal quarter, while playing a vital assist role that helped others get on the board. Constantly on the move, Jack ran rings around the opposition finishing the game with seven goals in another elite forward display.

Jacob Watson was at his ball winning best from centre clearance bursts that were impossible to stop with opposition sliding off like Teflon. Powerful and uncompromising, Watson was a threat all over the field.

Brad Pocock controlled the backline methodically and ruthlessly, leading his charges in a defensive effort that kept the Swans goalless. His aerial prowess was on display, taking multiple intercept marks that triggered strong offensive transition.

There was no one more in their element in the wet and slippery conditions than Simon Darlow. His control of the ball was exceptional, and his defensive pressure was unrelenting. Simon looked like the only player to be enjoying playing footy in such cold and miserable conditions! Backing up from Ressies made his effort even more impressive.