Football
3 June, 2024
Bennell lights up Kaniva as Cougars claim first win of 2024
Former number two AFL draft pick Harley Bennell lit up the Kaniva Recreation Reserve on Saturday with a seven-goal haul, leading Kaniva Leeor to their first win of 2024 in round eight of the Horsham District Football Netball League.
Former number two AFL draft pick Harley Bennell lit up the Kaniva Recreation Reserve on Saturday with a seven-goal performance, leading Kaniva Leeor to their first win of 2024.
Bennell kicked seven goals as the Cougars defeated Taylors Lake by ten points, 13.10.88 to 12.6.78.
The Cougars kicked five goals to four in the opening term to take a seven-point lead into quarter time. A brilliant, four-goal to one quarter from the Lakers saw them take the lead by 11 points at the main break.
The Cougars kicked six goals in the third quarter as they retook the lead by 17 points at the last break. In the last quarter, they held strong against a fast-finishing Lakers who kicked two goals.
Justin Beugelaar kicked a game-high eight goals for the Lakers with Ryan Gebert and Brayden Gebert among their best players, but the day belonged to the Cougars and Bennell.
Bennell played 88 games and kicked 98 goals for Gold Coast, Fremantle and Melbourne before retiring in 2020.
Billy King kicked two goals whilst Sam Vivian and Jonty Brown were their best players.
Cougars coach Johno hicks said everyone was up and about, not only because of Bennell but sponsors day and Joel Wagg playing his 250th.
"The guys started with a positive attitude which was good and started the game well," Hicks said.
"Unfortunately the Lakers got us in the second quarter and gave us a lot of work to do in the second half but it was fantastic the boys were able to respond and then hold on at the end.
"The football was hotly contested and we are thrilled we got the win."
Hicks said it has been a tough season and the win was a reward for effort.
"We have played good football in patches and put forward a four-quarter game, which I was pleased about," Hicks said.
"We have been working on staying positive and taking the game on and being more aggressive and the boys took their chances.
"I have been saying it doesn't matter if you miss or you have a skill error, we will work on that as the most important thing is getting into that mindset and playing that attacking way."
Cougar's president Brad Dickinson said the recruitment of Bennell for a one-off game happened quickly.
"I knew that our recruiter was working on him the last few weeks for a one-off game and I got notified on Wednesday night that it was happening," Dickinson said.
"It didn't give us a lot of time to get it out there, but with it being sponsors day as well as our goods and services auction that night, we rolled the dice and went with it.
"He flew in from Perth on Friday night and one of our ex-local traveling players picked him up for Adelaide and delivered him here."
"We got a big crowd, everyone enjoyed themselves and it was good to get the first win of the season."