Women’s
Two Premiers battled it out for local honours as the Kelmscott Bulldogs and Gosnells Hawks Women’s teams lined up on Saturday.
Both teams were roaring after their 2023 premiership victories, bringing a high-intensity and fiercely-contested game.
Kelmscott were out the gate early with four goals, to Gosnells’ single.
But after the half time break, Gosnells returned the fire and snapped four in the third quarter.
It was goal for goal in the last, with the welcome return of Kelmscott’s Summer Yarran who snapped four.
One each went the way off Kyrie-lee Sleath, Cheyenne Hayden and Hayley McHenry. The game came down to the wire with Kelmscott 7.10 (52) just defeating Gosnells 7.4 (46).
Integrated
The Bulldogs Integrated All Abilities team travelled north to take on the mighty North Beach Tigers.
The local crowed cheered heartily as the two teams exchanged goal for goal.
Kelmscott held a sixteen-point lead at half time, but an eager North Beach clawed back in the third, keeping Kelmscott scoreless, and gaining the lead by 11 points.
In the fourth quarter the dogs rose up around their teammate Trent Fleming who celebrated his 100th Integrated Game, a milestone taking nearly ten years to accomplish. And Josh Thompson kicked a simply remarkable six goals.
North Beach Integrated 11.4 (70) lost to Kelmscott 14.7 (91).
Colts
The match between Kelmscott and Noranda Colts was fast and skilful, with outstanding performances by each team’s midfield and forward line.
Noranda, with early scoring shots, challenged Kelmscott to chase their early lead. Kelmscott’s chipped away, rewarded by their accuracy, with Lawrence Hansen Jnr and Taiawhio Morrison sealing three goals apiece.
Two goals each also went to Dean Pankhurst and Hayden Eades.
But the Colts were unable to get over the visitors’ lead.
Kelmscott Colts 10.1 (61) lost to Noranda 13.11 (89)
League
Undefeated since round one, the Bulldogs League Team were challenged by Coolbellup.
In the first half, the equally skilful teams competed for praise from the onlooking crowd. Only two points split the teams at half time, and at the start of the fourth quarter the game was up for grabs with only two goals between them.
Rodney Jetta kept up with his tally, snapping three, and a goal went to Callum Collard. Centreman and team captain William Walley fought through the centre all match and was also rewarded with his goal, aided by the efforts of ruckman Kyle Collard.
The final quarter was the end of the dogs’ day, as Coolbellup kicked four more goals in the last run home.
Kelmscott 5.3 (33) were defeated by Coolbellup 10.3 (63).
Reserves
The Reserves had a renewed driving force following last week’s win, and kept working on their development.
But they were up against a superior Coolbellup.
The team celebrated the return of Andrew McHenry to the midfield who set up Steven Lawrence’s first goal.
The Bulldogs Man of the Day went to Pait Masatora, who kicked two goals, and backed up his achievements by volunteering as the League’s boundary umpire following the match, as the football community celebrated National Volunteer Week.
Kelmscott Reserves 3.8 (26) lost to Coolbellup 15.13 (103)
This Saturday’s local derby will see Kelmscott Bulldogs Colts V Roleystone at 1pm on John Dunn.
Women travel to Whitfords for a 9:30am game, whilst the Reserves, at 12:35pm, and the League, at 2:30pm, play down at North Mandurah.
The Integrated will play away against reigning A Grade Premiers Coolbinia at 10am.
Photographs – Richard Polden
