Blues 14 on a trot

By Pat Kerin

Blues Jack Caldwell gets a kick away against Goulburn on Saturday. Caldwell was one of  the Blues best in 61 point win.

The Coota Blues recorded their 14th consecutive win in AFL Canberra Regional grade on Saturday defeating Goulburn Swans by 61 pts. at Joe O’Connor Park in Yass.

The Blues were challenged early; however, they set up victory in the third quarter, booting 7 goals to 2.

Final score 16-12-108 to 7-5-47.  

 Breezy and cold conditions greeted the players for most of the match which saw many kicks in general play go out on the full.

The Blues were undermanned for this round 14 clash. Not available through injury were Sandy Maskell Knight, Scotty Mazzocchir and Nick Holt, while Zac Oliver was unavailable due to work commitments.   

The  Blues had winners across the ground and none played better than Joel Pearson. Usually at home at full back, the big fellow was rotated in the first half between the ruck and full forward which saw boot five goals. 

19 year- old, Jack Caldwell showed plenty around the packs and his effort was rewarded with two goals in third quarter. 

Best: Luke Webb, Joel Pearson, Jack Caldwell, Dylan McDermott, Phil Bird and Sam Baldock.

Goals: Joel Pearson 5, Luke Webb 3, Jack Caldwell 2, Dylan McDermott, Tom Brody, James Thornhill, Aaron Basham, Tom Anthony and James Collingridge.

As usual after playing a match at Joe O’Connor – the Blues had a dip in the Yass River. Then return to the sheds, sing the song with plenty of gusto, have a hot shower and  have a cold one. Good country footy at its best.

The Blues final home and away match of season is next Saturday where the Blues play Yass at Joe O’Connor Park.

In the other matches on Saturday, Yass were thrilled to win only their third match of the season defeating Belconnen in the late game at Joe O’Connor by 14 pts., while at Snowy Oval in Cooma, Southern Cats confirmed second spot on the ladder by belting Murrumbateman by 64 pts.

The match against Yass will mark a unique milestone for Blues captain Phil Bird. This match will be his 100th consecutive for the Blues and his 100th consecutive match as captain. Phil Bird has not missed a match in the past six seasons.  A phenomenal achievement of toughness and durability. Bigger story later in the week. 

A reward for finishing as minor premiers, the Blues will host the Southern Cats in the major semi-final on Saturday 17 August. The winner goes straight into the GF in Canberra on Saturday 31 August.     

With Belconnen forfeiting to the Blues on July 13, the semi-final match will be the Blues first match at home since 29 June. 

Our girls were severely understrength and were well beaten by the Riverina Lions, 21-15 141 to 0-0-0.

The girl’s final game of the season is against Eastlake at Yass commencing at 12 noon.

Blues to host major semi final

For only the third time in the Coota Blues history, the club will host a major semi-final on Saturday week- 17 August

The Blues will finish as minor premiers in AFL Canberra Regional grade and will play Southern Cats. The winner will advance to the grand final in Canberra on Saturday 31st August, while the loser will play the winner of the Belconnen/Goulburn in the preliminary final also in Canberra on Saturday 24 August.

Previously the Blues have only hosted their team’s finals in 1965 and more recently in 2015 when the Blues thumped Cooma in the preliminary final.by 73 pts..

There will be two major semi-final matches at Clarke Oval on Saturday week

12 noon: AFL Canberra Regional grade women’s – Riverina Lions vs. Queanbeyan

2.00pm- AFL Canberra Regional grade men’s – Cootamundra vs. Southern Cats

This Saturday the Blues will play Yass at Yass in the final home and away match

Current ladder men’s ladder 

Cootamundra 60, Southern Cats 36, Belconnen 28 Goulburn 24, Murrumbateman 12 and Yass 12

The Blues are expecting a decent crowd especially as the club has been on the road for the past five matches and their last match at Clarke Oval was way back on the 29 June.