Lions rise to the challenge in Jubby's 200th

BY HAY LIONS FOOTBALL AND NETBALL CLUB

The Lions secured a hard-fought 36-point victory over Murrabit Blues in front of a large home crowd, for Pat Jubb's 200th game.

The Blues presented the biggest challenge the Lions faced this season, starting with purpose from the opening bounce and moving the ball with speed while applying defensive pressure.

Kicking with a strong wind, Murrabit dominated the first quarter with more than double the inside 50 entries and scoring possibilities. This granted them a six-point lead at the first break.

However, Murrabit's inaccuracy in front of goal proved their Achilles heel.

Bookended by the first and last goal of the quarter were seven behinds, and consequently, the chance to place serious scoreboard pressure onto the Lions went begging.

The second quarter belonged entirely to the Lions in a blitz that threatened to put Murrabit to the sword.

A blistering nine-goal haul began with two goals in the first two minutes to Jack Headon that put Hay in front for the first time.

This quarter was the Lions' most accurate return for effort, adding 53 to the scoreboard while restricting the Blues to 13 points to hold a 37-point lead at halftime.

Ahead of the ball and behind the ball, the Blues dominated the Lions in the third quarter.

They took territory out wide, sometimes without any resistance, resulting in end-to-end goals. Despite firepower in abundance, the Lions only managed one goal to Dylan Collis while Murrabit doubled their halftime score, kicking four goals and reducing the Lions' lead to just 16 points at the final break.

As in the opening quarter, another wasteful passage in front of goals with seven behinds let the Lions off the hook.

With the wind back in the Lions' favour in the last quarter, scoreboard impact followed script.

The Lions added a further six goals to their tally to run out winners by 36 points.

Dan Jamieson, dangerous around the contest inside the 50 and positionally smart in the crumbing zone, snapped truly to kick the opener of the last quarter.

With quick hands over the top from Headon, Jamieson made it two in a row, showing plenty of composure to find the middle of the sticks.

The dangerous duo of Declan Watson and Headon took their tally to eight goals between them, with their defensive pressure up forward a standout.

Providing a perfect foil for crumbers, both were generous in their handball offloads, opening up goal opportunities for others rather than themselves.

With two wins apiece in the quarter breakdowns, it came down to the Lions working smarter inside their 50 zone.

They targeted players in better range to ensure optimum return.

While Murrabit often owned the outside and dominated the play with over 100 uncontested marks that opened up the game, 27 scoring opportunities with a return of 11:16 compared to the Lions' 18:8 from 26 told the story.

In the end, the Lions' forward line separated the game, having too much class and finishing power for Murrabit to nullify.

Coach's top six: Dylan Collis, Jack Cattanach, Jacob Watson, Joel Crocker, Declan Watson and Dean Aylett.

Best on ground: Dylan Collis achieved everything on the field. Behind the ball, in front or at the contest, he was tough in the clinches but on the outside shone with his elite ball use. Kicking four goals from sheer individual brilliance, Collis proved too dangerous for the Murrabit defence.

Jack Cattanach's physicality in contest and tackling reached the next level. Inflicting maximum damage on the inside and outside with his elite decision making and ball use, Cattanach caused havoc wherever he went.

A stoppage beast, Jacob Watson consistently delivered at the highest level week in, week out. When the Lions faced challenges and needed to gain territory forward, Watson's ability to find space and clearing kicks from stoppage relieved the pressure.

Joel Crocker remained typically composed and tactically strong in controlling the backline offensive and defensive response. His precision kicking and game sense proved crucial weapons in the Lions' armoury.

Declan Watson played a multifaceted game with second and third defensive efforts and offloads inside the Lions' 50 as pivotal to the scoreboard as his individual five-goal haul.

Dean Aylett, hard as nails in contest, applied tackle pressure that effectively halted the Blues' run-on game plan. Snagging two goals was icing on the cake for a solid four-quarter effort.

Final score: Lions 18:8 116 defeated Murrabit 11:16 82

Goals: Declan Watson 5, Dylan Collis 4, Dan Jamieson 3, Jack Headon 3, Dean Aylett 2, Jack Cattanach.

Pat Jubb is carried from the field by team mates, following his 200th game for Hay Lions.