2002 Season - July 20th Cougars v Seattle

Cougars v Seattle Cats
July 20th, 2002

Another thriller as Cougars pip the Cats again…

Pre-Match Report

With the Cougars home ground moved from Burnaby to the UBCG for this vital clash, the pre-game questions resolved around whether the change in venue would effect the Cougars perfect home ground record or not.

The drama began to build as the ground was drawn up by Stu. Full Forward Vargo repeatedly questioned the seemingly small size of the ground, despite the blustery winds blowing. To put him in his place, Stu set the challenge for Vargo to try and kick a goal from the edge of the square (a seemingly ludicrously short 43meters from the goal line). He even gave him 10 shots. The prize – a revised ground and a half-slab of VB. Well, the task proved too difficult for the cocky Vargo, and despite some long bombs into the strong headwind they were not long enough, and Dougie fell repeatingly short. So with egg well and truly on his face, and much laughter from his gathered teammates the concession was made…….the ground was suitable.

So with the size dimension’s given the all clear, the tension continued to reach a fever pitch as the game time was delayed by the late arrival of the Seattle players due to an accident on the I5. This gave the crowd a little extra time to squeeze into the capacity crowd that had assembled on the sidelines, and so the stage was set for another thriller……..

Match Report

Discounting the results of the BC Footy Cup, the two full sized games played between these two teams this year have been decided by margins of 2 and 5 points respectively,… would this game be any different ?

The Cougars won the toss and kicked with what seemed like a 3-4 goal breeze. Geoff Cunnold began like a house on fire and was dominating the ruck duels. He was ably supported by Neil on the change , and this allowed the Cougars centerline of McGrath, Richo and Hilton to clear the ball out of the center and drive it long. Despite their constant drives, the Cougars couldn’t convert this to a strong lead, as the breeze swirled around nastily and many a shot for goal went out on the full. Still, Richo managed to break through for the first major, and Vargo kicked a couple to give the Cougars a one goal lead at the first change.

Q1 – Cougars 3.2; Cat 2.1.

Playing into the breeze, the game was destined to turn towards the Cats. However, it was the Cougars backline who began to fire. First gamers – Paul (Full Back) and Pete (CHB) held the backline together and repelled attack after attack. As always they were supported by the regulars – Morgan, Brendan, Coop and Edmonds. At one stage, Coop took a sensational solo run down the wing on the crowd side (always the best side) and after 3 bounces, kicked long to set up a mark and goal by Vargo.

The backline constant repelling allowed plenty of movement through the centerline which quickly brought Simon & Young Adam (first gamer) into the play. Adam’s long bombs were a joy to watch and one nicely set up Mike McFarlane, who took a great grab and converted for a goal. Justin as always was right in it and started to dominate the game across the half forward line and was looking very dangerous.

For Seattle, three of their best players seemed to actually be Cougars players who were “donated” for the day due to Seattle’s short numbers, as Reece, Mark and Nelson were proving very handy. No doubt they won’t be released so easily next time.

Half time –Cougars 5.6.36; 4.4.28.

The second half quickly saw the momentum of the game turn towards the Cats. The game was marred early in the quarter when, for the second game in a row, a Cougars and Cats player clashed heads in another sickening blow. In this case it left Cougars starring ruckman Geoffrey in an extremely worse for wear position that lead to concussion and a trip to the UBC hospital.

On the resumption, The Cats began to get on top through the centre and worked beautifully into the wind. Unfortunately for them, the Cougars backline big men – Pete, Paul and Tom were having none of that, and resisted attack after attack. As always Col, Simon and Timmy were throwing themselves on the ground though the centre to prevent Seattle from getting easy movement towards their goals.

Adam and Justin continued to drive the ball forward for the Cougars which allowed Richo and Mike to snag another couple of goals to keep the Cougars in front at the quarter’s end.

Q3 – Cougars 7.7.49 ; Cats 6.5.41.

Well, the crowd could sense another thriller in the making. Super Coach Stu made a vital tactical 3 quarter time move by bringing himself on (for what may be his last quarter of football after the talking to he received from his wife after the game !!).

The Cats were the first out of the blocks and snared two quick majors to hit the front for the first time. The Cougars then hit back with a great passage of play that saw Edmonds take an inspirational mark in the backline, then giving a quick dish off to Timmy who was running through and got the ball down to Adam. He bombed it long into the forward line were Vargo rose to take an absolute screamer. He came down hard and landed on Richo,…..but he was okay!! The resulting goal put the Cougars back in the lead.

The Cats would not be denied and refused to sit down. They slammed on another two goals and again took back their small lead. Enter Stu Grills. With a few minutes left in game, through a nice passage of play in the half forward line, Stu grabbed the ball out of the pack, took and couple of bounces and…….. snagged truly for a magical goal. – The Cougars had narrowed the gap to 4 points. The Cats were quick to rebound, and with a minute left, Big Jim kicked a huge bomb into the wind for what looked like the sealer for the Cats. The Cats were so jubilant in their excitement, they didn’t hear the Umpires call of …“touched off the boot”.

The blow was crushing for the Cats. On the resulting kick out, the ball rapidly got down to the Cougars forward line, were once again Stu was waiting. The ball was flicked off the pack from a throw in, where Stu took the ball and……..another magnificent goal….and ten seconds later the siren.

Final Score –Cougars 10.9.69, Cats 10.6.66.

Cougars Best – 3. Pete; 2. Dougie Vargo; 1 Stu Grills

Cougars Goals – Vargo 4; Stu Grills 2; Richo 2; Mike McFarlane 2

Cougars Injuries – Geoff (Concussion); Simon (ankle); Stu (telling off by wife).

The After Match Report

Once again, the day wouldn’t be complete without a few beers to quench the thirst. On this occasion, a few of the Cougars headed back to Richo’s for his final get together before he and Tracy head off for life in London. It was a superb affair and very fitting for the great man. Richo has been an inspirational player during his short time with the Cougars, and may find himself having to head back to Vancouver in late September for the B&F night. On yah son.

Thanks

As always to Col for bringing and setting up the goal posts and score board.
Stu – for super coaching and marking what proved to be an appropriate sized ground.
Stu and Mike’s kids – for maintaining the scoreboard.

……..Till next time.