The Kelmscott Bulldogs Football Club celebrated a big day over the weekend with all five teams playing at home as they unveiled the inaugural Indigenous jumper for the club’s NAIDOC celebrations.
The jumper was revealed to the delight and cheer of supporters who packed the oval banks and filled the clubroom.
Those who attended were treated to local artists and cultural market stalls, while the club’s canteen served up a special traditional kangaroo stew.
Local Elders Vivienne and Mort Hansen welcomed players and supporters with a traditional ceremony as both Kelmscott and Kenwick players formed a chain of arms on the oval before the big top-of-the-ladder league clash.
The club wished to thank Trepheena Eades Hansen for all of her hard work leading up to the day of celebrations.
Women’s
It was the local derby many families had waited to see.
Dividing households and school yards, the Roleystone Tigers roared down the hill to face the undefeated mighty Bulldogs.
It was a backlines game as the football struggled to make any clearance beyond the back 50s, rebounded back and forth to each opposing end.
Both teams’ midfielders worked desperately to thump the ball into the forwards.
At the start of the fourth quarter a goal had yet to be kicked by either team, and Kelmscott 0.2 lead Roleystone 0.1 by just a mere point.
The clock ticked down and both coaches’ benches were in hysterics, then with just five minutes to go Mowana McKenzie booted one through, followed by another in just seconds before the final siren.
Kelmscott 2.3 (15) leaped over Roleystone 0.2 (2)
Colts
The soaring Lynwood Ferndale team was always going to be a challenge for the new and younger Bulldogs Colts team. But, to their credit, the Pups dug their claws in and gave as good as they got.
At the first quarter the Panthers had only two goals over the Bulldogs. Both Raymond Aston and Taiawhio Morrison stood out with two goals each, as Timana Tucker and
James Winmar kicked one each.
Despite keeping the third and final quarter goal for goal, the Colts Pups couldn’t claw back the 12-goal kicking lead Lynwood secured in the first half.
It was a spirited effort by both teams in a tough physical game.
Kelmscott 6.4 (40) defeated by Lynwood 20.16 (136)
League
It was a fight for top spot on the premiership ladder, with just three games to go until finals from this Saturday.
Equal on points at the top, Kelmscott had mere percentage over old Sunday League foes Kenwick Royals.
Pouncing from the start, the dogs ran away early and took to the scoreboard.
The Royals soon woke up and chased in reply, as Kelmscott’s Angus Yarran dominated the centre and kicked his goal.
Veterans Callum Collard and Lawrence Hansen kicked one each along with young guns Taiawhio Morrison and Revis Alone.
The star performer was again Rodney Jetta kicking four as he stacked his season total to 69 goals from just 11 games – a huge accomplishment in any grade and competition.
Kelmscott 9.6 (63) defeated Kenwick 7.10 (52).
Reserves
Kenwick had only one loss for the season and were left caught in the headlights as Kelmscott Bulldogs challenged the visitors.
Taking the game on goal for goal, the match had the supporters roaring from the sidelines as Jacob Bromfield snapped three goals for his Bulldogs team.
Kelmscott 7.5 (47) just lost to Kenwick 9.9 (63).
Integrated
After defeating the competition leaders last week, the Kelmscott Bulldogs were on a roaring race to the finish with over 40 players taking to the field against 9-time premiership team Coolbinia.
Joshua Thompson kicked three goals for Kelmscott 7.8 (50) to defeat Coolbinia 2.5 (17).
This Saturday, Kelmscott Integrated will head north and fight Kingsway at 9:20am for a chance at second spot in the final fixtured game ahead of the finals. The Colts will play Noranda at 11am at Lightning Park, while the Reserves (12:30pm) and League (2:30pm) play Lynwood at Ferndale Oval. The Women head to Gosnells for a 4pm bounce down.
Photographs – Richard Polden.
