Hay Seniors 10.18 (78) defeated Ultima Seniors 9.10 (64)

The Hay Senior Lions earned a fitting end to their Golden Rivers Football League campaign, securing an emotional 14-point victory over Ultima at Macorna on the weekend in a thrilling contest that had supporters on the edge of their seats.

It was déjà vu all over again as the Hay Lions made the trek to Macorna to repeat their 2024 Grand Final encounter against Ultima. The atmosphere was electric.

"That was next level really," said Mick Cattanach, reflecting on the contest. "We played them a lot and we know them really well."

The Lions started strongly, controlling the tempo in the opening quarter, but struggled to convert their dominance into scoreboard pressure.

"I think he started really well and sort of dominated. We had the ball a lot during the first quarter and probably stayed in the game a little bit because we didn't kick that accurately," Cattanach explained. "We were the dominant team but probably didn't show on the scoreboard as much."

The first quarter set the tone for what would become a recurring theme - Hay's superior field position and ball control being undermined by poor goal-kicking accuracy that kept Ultima within striking distance.

The second quarter saw a momentum shift as Ultima capitalised on Hay's missed opportunities to fight back into the contest.

“The second quarter started to get back in the game, we made some mistakes. Once again, we didn't take our opportunities and they came right back in it and got a one-point lead in that second quarter," Cattanach said.

However, the Lions showed their resilience when it mattered. “The boys sort of adjusted, got the game going again and then we kicked two or three goals which were really important," he noted, crediting the half-back line's improved performance in getting the ball moving forward.

The third quarter continued the see-sawing nature of the contest, with both teams trading blows in what became an increasingly physical encounter.

Image: The victorious players and coaches; Jason Aylett (co-coach), co-captains Brad Pocock and Jack Cattanach, Lion's icon Robert 'Buck' Howard (back), and co-coach James Moran. Image: Steph Cattanach.

"The third quarter was a bit the same sort of back-and-forth," Cattanach observed. "We were probably got a bit sore and a few injuries, but once again we just kept them at bay and still maintained that lead."

Despite being the better team for much of the final quarter, Hay couldn't shake their determined opponents, with goal-kicking accuracy again proving costly.

"The last quarter probably we were a better team but we didn't put them away and in the end our goal kicking accuracy again kept them in the game," Cattanach said.

The defining moment came when Ultima mounted a late challenge, but Hay's defensive pressure proved decisive. Key players Brad Pocock, Pat Jubb, and others stood tall when it mattered most.

"They were getting quite close to us in the last quarter and Pat Jubb did a really great defensive play, Brad Pocock was really big in that last quarter and we managed to rebound the ball," Cattanach explained.

"I think when it came to pressure around the footy, our contest at the footy, we were just really tough for the contest and our tackling was just a little bit better."

Halfback/midfielder Josh Dwyer was awarded the best-on-ground medal for his outstanding performance throughout the contest.

Several other players distinguished themselves in the hard-fought victory: Fergus Cattanach, Dylan Collis, Jack Cattanach, Jack Headon, Jacob Watson, Declan Watson (crucial final quarter goal), Brad Pocock, and Kenneth Jubb.

When the final siren rang across the field, the cheers erupted like fireworks from the Hay crowd. Emotional scenes unfolded as supporters embraced their Lions - sons, brothers, and partners all sharing in the triumph. Tears of joy flowed freely as emotions ran high.

The victory provides the perfect conclusion to the Golden Rivers Football League season for the Hay Lions, delivering another memorable chapter in their ongoing rivalry with Ultima.