UGSFL 2024: Katanning Wanderers fall to third heavy defeat, Williams jump to second and Narrogin on the board

Reigning premiers Katanning Wanderers slipped to a third straight defeat in 2024, mauled at home by a powerful Boddington outfit on Sunday afternoon. The Tigers suffered heavy losses at the hands of Wickepin and Wagin in the opening two rounds of the Upper Great Southern Football League season, but that trend continued in round three. The Eagles led at every change on their way to a 142-point demolition of last year’s premiers at Quartermaine Oval. The visitors nearly kicked 30 goals, courtesy of a relentless third quarter where they booted 11.2 and held the home side to three goals. The Tigers fought gallantly in the midfield in the first half, but the Eagles cut the ball off easily at half forward and then had the answers in attack. Key forward Maxx Della Franca finished off the strong work of his midfield while boom recruit Riley Smith was outstanding in the ruck and a towering presence around the ground. Della Franca was on his way to a big bag by half-time as the Eagles led by 70 points and it was one-way traffic from there. Lloyd Padwick, who spent plenty of time in the midfield, launched a couple of booming kicks from long range and was also impossible to stop as the Eagles marched to a huge win, 29.20 (194) to 7.10 (52). Della Franca and Padwick finished with eight goals each as the Eagles maintain their unbeaten status. Lewis Gillespie, Ben Sherry, and Damian Maiolo all won plenty of the ball for the winners, Jacob Schorer was resolute in defence and Kiattisak Deechaiyaphum used his pace well. Caleb Keley, who is playing with Jerramungup this season, was a surprise inclusion for the Tigers and kicked two majors while Caleb Quartermaine and Lachlan Saunders were the other multiple goalkickers. James Laurino was clearly the Tigers best contributor, winning countless clearances and applying constant pressure around the ball while Reece Nicholson and Abdul Pickett also toiled hard in defeat. Williams moved to second spot after handing the Warriors an 84-point belting at Williams on Sunday. Experienced pair Gerard Medlen and Simon Panizza combined to kick 10 goals for the home side who held the Warriors to just one goal after the long break. Riley Cunningham and Jonty Petchell (four goals) also played key roles for the Cats in the 19.17 (131) to 7.5 (47) result. In the other Sunday fixture at Nenke Oval, Kukerin-Dumbleyung continued their strong early season form with a 21-point win over Brookton-Pingelly. The Panthers led by 12 points at three quarter time but were overrun in the final term, the Cougars going to another gear as they kicked five unanswered goals. Justin Joyce, Coen Marwick, and Jordan Ryan booted three goals each for the Cougars and player-coach Jye Depane was everywhere. Daniel Trevaskis, Joshua Hughes, and Malachi Bolton (three goals) were the standouts for the visitors. Narrogin handed the Bulldogs their first loss of 2024 on Saturday in Darkan, on the back of big bags from Michael Bradford and Declin Mumby. Bradford and Mumby booted five goals each as the Hawks soared to their first win of the season, 16.9 (105) to 10.14 (74). Tom Kilpatrick, Mumby, Henry Gould, Bradford, Kacey Beard, and Matthew French were crucial in the 31-point triumph.