UGSFL Round 7: Cougars and Tigers chalk up fifth wins, Warriors winning streak rolls on and Dew fires for Cats

A commanding performance after quarter-time has guided Katanning Wanderers to their fifth win of the Upper Great Southern Football League season, easily accounting for Brookton-Pingelly at Quartermaine Oval on Saturday. The two sides wore specially designed Indigenous jumpers in the round seven fixture and the large crowd was treated to a high-scoring, skilful opening term as they went into first break tied at 25 apiece. However, the Tigers stamped their authority from that point on, kicking 20 goals to the Panthers’ seven after quarter-time on their way to an emphatic 84-point win, 24.14 (158) to 11.8 (74). For the third time this season veteran forward Dionne Woods kicked eight goals, the first of which came in the second term. His stellar performance was a mixture of marks overhead, edging out opponents with his body, set shots and snaps from tough angles. The Tigers had too many avenues to goal as Josh Goodwin and Caleb Keley also booted three majors in the percentage boosting win. Defender Deklan Georgy took countless marks and drove the winners into attack with accurate left foot kicking. Ruckman Khallon Zilm was again an imposing figure while Reece Nicholson provided great pressure on his wing. The Panthers were best served by player-coach Mitch White, who won plenty of the ball across the ground. Jacob Sounness (three goals) was effective in attack and Josh Hughes tried hard in defence. The fixtures also doubled as Talk To A Mate Round with Kukerin-Dumbleyung joining the Tigers on five wins, after taking care of Narrogin at Stubbs Park on Sunday. The Hawks had a strong second half as they tried to reel in the home side but the damage had been done, the Cougars kicking seven goals to three in the opening half. The Cougars had opened up a 31-point advantage by the long break and went on to record a 39-point triumph, 12.16 (88) to 7.7 (49), as Eric Botha kicked six and teammates Nathan Phillips and Damon Joyce dominated. In the other Saturday fixture, ladder leaders Wickepin stretched their winning streak to seven games as they defeated Wagin by 50 points at Matera Oval, 11.10 (76) to 3.8 (26). Matt Jukes bagged five majors in the win and the Warriors had strong contributions from Callum Garcia, Ryan Melvin (two goals) and ball magnet Kye Barker. A four-goal performance from Addison Dew lifted Williams to their third victory of the season, downing Boddington by 32 points at Boddington on Sunday, 13.11 (89) to 7.15 (57). Dew was well-supported by Gerard Medlen, Riley Cunningham (two goals) and veteran midfielder Simon Panizza (three goals) as the Cats hold down fifth spot on the ladder.