Big win for Hay Lions in season opener - Jack Headon boots 8 goals
Hay Lions have set the tone, after a clean sweep across all grades of AFL and netball against Moulamein. Pictured is the 2023 premiership winning team.
By Hay Lions Football & Netball Club
The 2025 season opened with a clash against Moulamein Swans on home turf.
Moulamein, having recruited heavily far and wide, were expected to be highly competitive.
For the Lions, it was a similar makeup to 2024, with a welcome return to the Lion den for Ferg Cattanach.
There were also new faces welcomed, Riley Bradshaw and Harry Loughman.
Dan Jamieson made his senior debut.
In a perfect start, the Lions were on the board within the first minute through a ground ball crumb and snap in front of the sticks from Will Collis.
A quick response was seen from the Swans, and it was a goal apiece, showing signs of an even contest.
Midfield bull Jacob Watson was dominant from the onset, brushing off defence and covering territory to be the biggest danger that the Swans found difficult to nullify.
Tackle pressure inside the forward 50 was elite, keeping the ball locked in the Lions' half, with resultant scoreboard pressure as a reward for unwavering effort.
Though Hay and Moulamein had similar inside 50 entries, the scoreboard stories were vastly different, with Hay taking advantage of their opportunities by notching up six majors and restricting the Swans to their solitary early quarter goal.
The Lions' backline was positionally excellent, with timely intercepts that consistently created turnovers and rebound attacks.
Simon Bunyan, in a new role down back, was rock solid as the last line of defence, while the ever-measured Joel Crocker found plenty of ball, igniting handball chains and forward surges.
Overall, the Lions could not have asked for a better opening quarter, going into the first break with a 30-point lead and full of confidence.
Through the steady boot of new recruit Harry Loughnan, the Lions were first to strike in the second quarter, increasing their lead to six straight goals.
The crafty James Moran provided plenty of ball from the ruck to the midfield, with the Cattanach brothers linking up seamlessly despite not having played the previous season together.
The ball was locked in for extended passages in the Lions' half through consistent and relentless tackle pressure that placed cut-throat pressure on the opposition, leading to turnovers and further goal possibilities.
Jack Headon was dangerous and unstoppable, kicking three straights from set shots to take his tally to five majors and zero behinds in a perfect forward craft display that the Moulamein backline had no answers to.
For the Swans, the second quarter was a repeat of the first, with only one major courtesy of a 50-metre penalty in front of the posts and a couple of behinds.
This in no way reflected their effort and the strength of their team, and the Lions knew they could not take their 50-point half-time lead for granted.
Moulamein brought a level of intensity in the third quarter which caught the Lions out, adopting a fast play-on brand of footy that showed exactly what this unit was capable of.
Making full use of the wind end, the Swans went for long-range goals that looked certain to score, quickly piling on the first five goals to bring the gap back to a very achievable 20 points.
To their credit, and needing to wrestle back the momentum, the Lions took the pace out of the game, settling and finding their own rhythm again, finishing the quarter with a goal before the siren to go into the last holding a 33-point lead.
Not underestimating the Swans, the Lions dug deep in the fourth, hitting the scoreboard first from another goal to Jack Headon, making it seven goals for him with plenty of time left to add to this already impressive performance.
While Moulamein only managed to score one goal in a quarter for the third time in the match, they showed glimpses that they will be a force to contend with as the season progresses.
The Lions were justifiably happy with the end result, winning comfortably at the final siren by 66 points.
An impressive 34 scoring shots to 13 told the story, with the Hay backline working as a tight and damaging unit that repelled most of Moulamein’s attacking entries.
The forward line pressure was applied exactly as the coaches directed, with goals resultant of that pressure reflected on the scoreboard.
The midfield was in sync, with ball disposal and pressure on the opposition in centre clearances and around the ground being elite.
The game ended in a decisive win for the Lions, with the final score Hay 17:17 (119) to Moulamein 8:5 (53).
The coaches' top six players were Jack Headon, Joel Crocker, Jacob Watson, Simon Bunyan, Ferg Cattanach, and Jack Cattanach.
Goals were kicked by: Jack Headon 8, Jack Cattanach 2, Harry Loughnan 2, Lane Griffiths, Archie Houston, Riley Bradshaw, Will Collis, and Jacob Watson.
Clean sweep for Lions across the netball courts
Hay Lions netball teams kicked off their 2025 season with absolute dominance over their first-round opponents, Moulamein.
A Grade by Ellen Parr - Hay 49 defeated Moulamein 39
Despite a few last-minute changes and new combinations to test out, the team showed resilience and adaptability.
Trailing 23-25 at half-time, Hay came out strong in the third quarter, turning the game around and dominating the second half with smart plays and solid teamwork.
Lucy Pless took out the South Hay Hotel Best on Court award for her relentless effort in the centre and defensive pressure.
Sophie Stephens earned the IGA Player’s Player award, causing countless turnovers and applying constant pressure to wear down the opposition’s shooters.
Courtney McDonald received Jen’s Healthy Junk award for her impressive defensive pressure and attacking play down the court.
“There’s still plenty to build on, but we’re off to a great start—and we’re excited for what’s ahead this season,” said Ellen Parr.
B Grade by Bron Hicks - Hay 42 defeated Moulamein 26
B grade’s hard work during the pre-season paid off, winning the first round of the season 42 to 26. The team put the pressure on Moulamein from the very first whistle, defending their players well all the way through the court.
Teagan Morrison and Rhiannon Moore (Saltbush Stretch best on court) were solid defenders in the goal ring, taking some amazing intercepts and rebounds.
New mid court player, Emily Caughey (Busch Family coach award) worked well to make space as she moved the ball down the court and was also reliable on the circle.
Gun shooters, Jade Auldist and Lisa Lund worked extremely hard in the goal ring.
The pair moved well in the space and pulled off some amazing goals.
New recruit, Maddison Villiva (Mark McKeon Earthmoving Player’s Player Award) was on a mission in wing defence.
She put constant pressure on opposition and made several intercepts, which helped the team gain a strong lead over Moulamein.
B Reserve Grade by Leonnie Laracy - Hay 77 defeated Moulamein 18
Hay took on Moulamein with some nerves after looking at what seemed to be a whole new Moulamein lineup.
However, Hay looked to their tried and tested core to maintain flow and enable end to end connections.
Hannah Jamieson took out the Heath Busch Trailer Players Player award for outstanding shooting. Kylie Brettschneider’s work rate in centre was unmatched and she was awarded the New Crown Hotel Award.
Leslee Grahme was her usual destructive self in goal defence, picking off all loose balls, winning the Fraser Dwyer Electrical Award.
Hay took an overpowering win of 77 to 18.
C Grade by Leonnie Laracy - Hay 36 defeated Moulamein 16
C grade had a great game as a new outfit.
All players were moving into space and supporting each other well.
Tilly Weeks had an outstanding game in goal attack, winning the Tantrum Hair and Beauty Award. Maddy Telford was awarded the Lani Houston Consulting Players’ Player award for her defensive pressure in wing defence and her never back down attitude.
Sarah Walker was instrumental in the flow from one end to the other, shining in both wing attack and goal shooter.
She took out the New Crown Hotel Award.
Under 17's by Jade Auldist - Hay 55 defeated Moulamein 23
The 17s netball team dominated the court and secured a convincing 55–23 win.
Hay came out strong, building an early lead and maintaining control throughout the match with seamless rotations and great teamwork.
Emily Caughey won the Peter Mullins Building Award for her outstanding work in goal defence.
She picked off multiple intercepts and drove the ball down the court with precision.
She also impressed when given a quarter in goals, showing her versatility and skill.
Poppy Barnes took home the Murrumbidgee Real Estate Award for her excellent game in centre, feeding the ring beautifully and creating turnovers.
Hannah Jamieson earned the Hay High Achievers Award for her smart movement and accurate shooting in goal shooter, working in perfect sync with her teammates.
Under 14's by Emily Caughey - Hay 29 defeated Moulamein 18
The under 14s team had a great start to the season coming out strong against the tough Moulamein side.
After a neck and neck first quarter, Hay found their rhythm and started to pull away.
After a hard-fought game the girls came away with a win of 29 goals to 18.
The KROP Players Player award went to Maggie Shields who played astonishingly in both attack and defence.
The A and L Lund Contracting award went to Grace Auldist who dominated in defence, putting pressure on the opposition and collecting intercepts.
The Hay Lions Canteen Voucher was earned by both Rachael Taylor and Emma Brown.
Rachael showed a high level of skill in goals, consistently sinking shots.
Emma helped the game flow through the mid court and supported her teammates throughout the game.
“It was an exciting game to watch and we can’t wait to see what the rest of the season may hold,” said Emily Caughey.
Under 12’s by Leonnie Laracy - Hay 27 defeated Moulamein 2
From the very beginning Hay took a dominant position over the smaller Moulamein team.
Through the hands of Jimmy Jamieson Hay put on a shooting spree, and Jimmy was awarded the Two Billy Buttons award.
Lexi May was awarded Sarah Bunyans Hairdressing for her graceful movement and positioning in the circle.
Rhyla Bunyan was controlling the court and was effortlessly bringing the ball from one end of the court to the other end and was awarded M & S Bus Services for her efforts.
Red vs Blue (Under 12’s)
Both Hay teams displayed great teamwork and some fantastic passages of play in an evenly contested game.
Paddy Shields was keeping tight on all his opponents and won the first Coaches Award.
Halle Laracy, in defence, has stepped it up a notch and got tips on all incoming balls and was awarded the other Coaches Award.
