In Saturday's AFL Canberra Regional grade match of the round between the two top sides at Clarke Oval, the Coota Blues proved too strong for the Southern Cats.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Despite the first and last quarters being even affairs, the Blues ran out winners by 69 points, 13-17-95 to 4-2-26.
In a very rare occurrence at Clarke Oval, only one goal was booted in the first quarter and that came from the Blues in the tenth minute.
In the second and third quarters, the Blues booted 11 goals to three and went to the last change leading by 64 points.
The Blues were looking for another percentage-boosting win in the last quarter, however, inaccuracy in front of goals and plenty of pressure from the Cats, saw the Blues kick poorly 1-6 to 1-1.
A general comment from Saturday's match is that the Blues go hard at the ball while the Cats seem to stand back.
In the second and third quarters, the Blues booted 11 goals to three and went to the last change leading by 64 points.
The Blues' captain Phil Bird who turned 26 on Monday, was again at his brilliant best. In every contest, Bird dominated the match from start to finish.
Two-time Blues best and fairest winner Dylan McDermott got through his usual amount of work around the ground.
On field, coach Zac Oliver who travels from Orange every week to play, as always gave a 100 per cent and his marking around the ground always kept the pressure on the Cats.
Down back, Blake Basham showed his silky skills and was always calm under pressure.
Best: Phil Bird, Dylan McDermott, Blake Basham, Zac Oliver, Sam Baldock and Joel Pearson
Goals: Sandy Maskell Knight (four), Chris Drum (three), Tom Anthony, Aaron Basham, Dylan McDermott, Phil Bird, Jack Caldwell and Zac Oliver.
The win by the Blues moves them another step closer to the minor premiership, which would see the Blues host the major semi-final on Saturday August 17.
Saturday's win by the Blues was their eighth consecutive and next Saturday they host the third-placed Goulburn Swans.
The Blues girls continue to struggle with playing numbers and were well beaten by the Queanbeyan Tigers 16-10-106 to 1-2-8.
Best: Michaela Perceval, Alyssa Armstrong, Sally Ormond, Sarah Clarke and Emily Poulton.
On Saturday, the girls play the competition leaders the Riverina Lions.
