It was a big day for Kelmscott on Saturday with all five teams playing home at John Dunn. The day finished with both the Women’s and League Men’s teams finishing top of the ladder, and a ‘top three’ ranking for the Colts and Integrated teams.
“The League win against Lynwood can only be described as ‘not pretty’, but was still enough to get the four points,” Senior Coach Shannon Collard said.
“We were very flat and started the game very slow.”
At half time, there were only three goals separating the two teams.
“After half time the boys came out firing and played some really good footy for the quarter,” Coach Collard said.
“We had some passages of play that were outstanding in the third quarter.
“To come away with the win for Lawrence Hansen, one of our club greats’ 200th game was great to see.
“Lawrence has been the heart and soul of the Kelmscott Football Club.”
The coach then paid tribute to a few individual efforts.
“Kyle Collard played ruck and was probably Kelmscott’s best. Dillon Hansen also played an outstanding game while Tai Morrison was lively and dangerous up forward with Rodney Jetta who kick another bag of six,” he said.
“To have five straight wins at the start of the season and one game clear at the top has put us in a great position to set ourselves up for a great 2024.”
Kelmscott League 13.4 (82) Defeated Lynwood 7.6 (48).
Congratulations go to Lawrence Hansen who has played nearly 150 senior football games for the Kelmscott Senior Football Club in the WAAFL (Amateurs).
Lawrence has continued to be a core player and leader of the Kelmscott Bulldogs League team.
Lawrence’s commitment to training is only shadowed by his dedication to his club family. Last week, joined by his son who is also one of the vice captains of the Colts, Lawrence played his 200th club game and celebrated over a decade of service to the Bulldogs.
Women’s
Coach Bill Hansen said the girls started off very slow in the first half.
“I think we didn’t come in as prepared as we would have liked to, and Coolbinia came out fierce,” he said.
“They were very heavy on attacking the footy, and a physical team, which was a good test for our girls.”
Despite being a bit roughed up and being taken by surprise, the Kelmscott backline stood up to the test.
Coach Hansen paid tribute to the backline.
“Sam Shepherd was enormous on the half back line and Maddie Barnes was solid all day, while we can always rely on Akiera Collard and Zalie Betts,” he said.
With just one goal kicked for the entire game by the Kelmscott side along with six points, and Coolbinia scoreless at half time, both teams were far from taking the game out.
“It really took the second half for our girls to wake up and play the footy we know we can,” he said.
“It was a better second half from Kelmscott with the rise of Mahalia in the ruck, and around the ground with Hayley McHenry and Anna Shae who were both lively up forward.” Kelmscott 6.11 (47) defeated a scoreless Coolbinia 0.0 (0).
Colts
The Colts took on Winnacott who waged a good battle across the midfield.
However, the sharp boots of Kelmscott’s Dean Pankhurst with three goals were too much for the opposition, assisted by two goals for Taiawhio Morrison and one for Lawrence Hansen. Kelmscott 7.5 (47) defeated Winnacott 5.8 (38)
Reserves
The Reserves continue to improve, with another close game at half time.
For the first time this year, Kelmscott held a one-goal lead over the Lynwood visitors. But after one more goal in the third quarter, the Lynwood Panthers ran over the tiring legs of the Bulldogs with five goals.
Undeterred by the loss, the Bulldogs celebrated a good hard hit at the football, with their win still to come.
Goals to Jamie McClennan, Calvin Davies, Jason Green and two for Jamie Miller.
All Abilities
The Integrated Team got the exhibition timeslot under lights straight after the League game, and played host to the Warnbro Swans.
In a match that started goal for goal by each team, the midfielders of the Swans and Bulldogs clearly demonstrated their physical fitness and talent across the competition.
Number 6 Vincent Fraser of Kelmscott and Number 8 Keegan Sims were announced as the best players of the match.
Unfortunately, in the last quarter, Kelmscott’s pace picked up and they outran the Swans and took the game with a few last-minute goals.
Kelmscott 11.8 (74) defeated Warnbro 7.6 (48)
This weekend, the AFL and West Australian Football Commission celebrates Community Umpiring Week.
It takes a small army of volunteer umpiring officials to administer the matches for the club’s five teams.
We greatly thank you for your contribution and service.
If you are interested in umpiring opportunities (scoreboard, field, goals, boundary, team scoring), please contact Robert Turner on 0409 922 923.
This Saturday Kelmscott Bulldogs Integrated play Curtin Uni from 4pm at John Dunn Memorial Park.
The Women look forward to the derby with Roleystone from 9:30am at Cross Park.
Colts will be heading to Ferndale Oval to square off against Lynwood Ferndale from 10.30am.
And the men will take on Forrestfield, with the Reserves playing from 12:30pm and League from 2:30pm at John Reid Oval.
Photographs – Richard Polden
