UGSFL 2023: Katanning continue hot form, Wickepin outlast Boddington and Williams record big triumph

Katanning Wanderers made it six wins on the trot with a crushing 81-point win over Kukerin-Dumbleyung in the Upper Great Southern Football League clash in Katanning on Sunday.

The dominant ruck-combo of Mitchell Banks and Caleb Keley was complemented by seven goals to full forward Laurie Collard in the 15.19 (109) to 3.9 (27) win.

The Cougars struggled to make meaningful forays into their forward line, with the Tigers defence led by Ryan Pontillo and Liam Hansen keeping the Cougars to a meagre three goals across four quarters.

The Tigers started strongly and had two early goals from Tyron Pinney and James Laurino from free kicks before Josh Pinney, playing on the ball, snagged a major from the goal square.

The Cougars had two opportunities to hit the scoreboard but the bouncing ball eluded the goals.

Collard then kicked his first with a clever snap to help the Tigers jump to a 26-point lead.

Banks marked strongly and kicked truly before Benjamin Stewart kicked the Cougars’ first after a strong lead and mark.

Collard replied immediately after good use of his body and then won the ball on the ground and split the middle with an accurate snap for his third.

Laurino kicked his first after an errant kick from the Cougars deep in defence afforded him an opportunity.

The third quarter saw the Keley brothers playing on each other with Tigers’ Caleb Keley deep in attack and Braydon Keley guarding him closely for the Cougars.

Collard kicked his fourth after a strong mark but the Tigers missed a number of easy opportunities close to goal.

Caleb Keley kicked the most difficult goal from deep in the right forward pocket and Collard then had his fifth, reading the ball off hands to snap truly.

The home side kept the Cougars scoreless but kicked a wasteful 3.7 to lead by 81 points at three-quarter time.

The Tigers moved Hansen on to the ball and he rucked with Banks for the last quarter and Collard kicked his sixth again from a strong lead and mark.

Tyron Pinney snagged his second goal on the run but the Cougars had more success forward of centre and benefited from a 50m penalty that put Patrick Smith in the goal square.

Boyd Woods, playing against his old team, had the Cougars’ third major but they fell to a sixth straight defeat and remain winless in 2023.

Tyrone Roe, Laurino, Travis Justins, Josh Pinney, Lachlan Saunders and Collard were vital for the winners while the Cougars were best served by Sam Howie, Zane Sutherland, Coen Marwick, Peter Joyce, Dean Jamieson and Blake White.

Wickepin remain undefeated after their 22-point win over Boddington on Saturday.

The Warriors skipped to a seven-point lead at half-time following a scoreless first term for both sides and the Eagles were within a goal at three-quarter time. The undefeated Warriors booted the only two goals of the fourth quarter to cruise to a 10.8 (68) to 7.4 (46) victory.

Flynn Spark, Fraser Wittwer, Sam Fortini, Ryan Melvin, Jordan Flavel and Joshua Houwen all shone for the winners.

The Eagles were best served by Bradley Bromley, Kerben Halter, Zakery Pretty, Kiattisak Deechaiyaphum, Jimi Gillespie and Jordan Hughes while Harry Ellis kicked three goals.

Williams returned from their bye in strong fashion, coasting to a 77-point win over Wagin, led by a superb eight-goal haul from Daniel Harley.

Lewis Schulz also bagged four goals in the 20.14 (134) to 8.9 (57) win while Kyle Shanahan, Simon Panizza, Quinn Donaldson and Angus Longmire were among the standouts.

George Hampson kicked five goals in a losing affair and he had good support from Alex Mancini, JUBronson Harry, Jack Manners, Liam Seale, Tom Coleman and Todd Lubcke.