PDL | Katunga turns it on against Picola United

In the first term the game was in United’s hands, with the side leading 27-16 at the first break.

Then Katunga turned things around, with the Swans going on an impressive run, beginning with a 38-point, six-goal-to-one second quarter.

Katunga coach Damian Kennedy said Picola started the game well.

“They really brought a lot of energy early on and probably in the first 10 minutes they were a bit over us, really,” he said.

“We steadied late in the quarter and were probably lucky to go in as close as what we were (to the break).

“They were just beating us at stoppages.

“We addressed that and from then on, once we were winning our fair share of stoppages, we probably took over the game, I suppose you’d say.”

Kennedy said Katunga had lots of solid contributors on the day, with Braydon Kearns kicking six goals and Fergus Lappin, Bailey Smith, William Chan and Cameron Bishop all playing well.

Lachlan O’Hara and Jackson Harris also played well, while Oliver Small kicked three majors on the day.

Unfortunately for the winning side, Kevin Vandengoor went down with an injury, but the side would be happy with the performance.

Picola United coach Darby Walsh said his side started the game well before dropping off in the second half.

“Our pressure around the contest was good, our spread was good and we were sort of working really well for one another in that first quarter and in that second quarter, I suppose,” Walsh said.

“It was probably a bit more of an arm wrestle in the second quarter but we were still having moments where we executed what we wanted to.

“I thought we came out in the third quarter with the right attitude and the right endeavour and then obviously Katunga came out wanting it more.

“They were better in the contest, better out of the contest, they were working for one another and, to be honest, full credit to them, they played a really strong team game and they obviously deserved it more.”

It was a big day for United, with a number of premiership reunions celebrating the history of the club.

“It was really special to have so many club legends there on the day and on the night and it was really disappointing we couldn’t get the result for everyone,” Walsh said.

“It was really good to see so many people that make Picola a special place.”

In other round seven games, Mathoura fell to Deni Rovers by 149 points.

Things did not go the Timbercutters’ way throughout the contest, with Deni putting on a strong four-quarter performance.

In Tocumwal, Jerilderie defeated the home side by 19 points, while Berrigan downed Rennie by 14 away from home.

Tungamah put its name at the top of the premiership contenders’ list with a massive 89-point win against Katamatite, while Strathmerton thrashed Blighty by 145 points.