Mauling at the Hay Lions’ den

“The best the Lions have

played all season”

Hay Lions’ Declan Watson captured mid-flight by Steph Cattanach.

“Each quarter had its own highlight reel but it was no surprise that forward craft expert Declan Watson starred in the second, kicking five to take his half-time total to seven.”

By Hay Lions Football & Netball Club

The Lions were comprehensive winners against the Macorna Tigers in round 10 of Golden Rivers league 2025 season.

The win was set up by a blistering 10 goal opening quarter that had the Tigers reeling.

The focus pre-game was on skill execution and the Lions delivered in spades.

After a long-range opener from Daniel Stewart in the first minute of the game, the Lions took control and never looked back.

With options presented everywhere, goal scorers came from across the board, with mids, forwards and wing side players all getting a piece of the action.

Each quarter had its own highlight reel but it was no surprise that forward craft expert Declan Watson starred in the second, kicking five to take his half-time total to seven.

Despite a half-time score against them of 110 to a solitary point, the Tigers showed grit to kick the first three goals of the third, to temporarily halt the onslaught.

However, with the last five goals to the Lions, any inroads made by the Tigers against the mounting scoreline were quickly nullified.

Dean Aylett pulled the trigger in the third, snagging three in a row in a purple patch – it seemed he had the ball on a string on his way to a career-best five goal haul.

The spotlight shone on Jack Headon in the last quarter, slotting four of his own, while still playing a pivotal goal assist role.

Posting seven in the bag and 19 score involvements, it was a big day out for the dynamic forward.

Commentators agreed it was the best the Lions have played all season.

Energy and talk was high game. Pressure was suffocating and the Tigers could not move the ball without being severely punished on turnover.

The forwards were back to their dangerous best. Decision making was spot on, as was work rate in front and behind the ball. With options everywhere, the Lions pulled the Tigers apart.

Final score: Hay 33:13-211 Macorna 4:3-27

Coaches top six: Dean Aylett, Jaco Watson, Jack Cattanach, Ferg Cattanach, Jack Headon, Harry Loughnan.

Jack Cattanach was simply superb. With 26 touches in the last quarter, Catta’s numbers were off the chart.

65 possessions, that included 20 goal involvements, 17 clearances and 11 tackles, earned Cattanach a mammoth 332 ranking points on his way to breaking the premier data record.

Tough, clean, and classy, inside and out, it is difficult to keep finding the superlatives to describe the impact he has on any given game.

Dean ‘Hulk’ Aylett’s game was unbelievable. It is a tough position to play half forward flank, but everything he touched turned to gold.

Hulk’s lead up and marking, decision making, delivery inside 50 and finishing in front of goals was outstanding.

His evasiveness was back to its best and no one could lay a hand on him.

Jacob Watson was everywhere. At the bottom of packs, cleaning up in defence and kicking 4 goals was testament to his work rate.

All class, Ferg Cattanach was Mr Consistent again in every quarter. Reliable and critically important for the Lions defensively both at stoppage and down back, his link up play and transition game going forward continues to be impressive.

Jack Headon’s game was close to flawless. 31 disposals for a deep forward that included 17 marks, and seven goals was outstanding.

His link up play up the ground, and his unselfish delivery inside 50 that brought others into the game demonstrates his growth as a phenomenal young player.

This was Harry’s Loughman second excellent performance in a row. His defence first approach to beat his man and then spread into attack, gave the Lions another dimension, and the team more options down back.

Justin ‘Brolga’ Ellis played a pivotal role up forward, not only kicking five goals, but he used his experience to straighten up the team all game.

In giving Hay another long target option to kick to, his on-field presence brings more danger to the forward line.

Hay Lions will hit the road on Saturday to meet Murrabit.