Football
22 April, 2026
Cougars hold off Rams
Kaniva Leeor United’s senior football side recorded their first win of the 2026 season, holding off Natimuk United in round two of the Horsham District Football Netball League on Saturday April 18.
Playing at Natimuk Showgrounds, the Cougars kicked 17.13 (115) to Natimuk’s 15.8 (98).
Despite the addition of Blake Dodson, Riley Vivian and former AFL draft pick Tom Wilkinson to the side for round two, it was the home side that pulled ahead initially with three early goals.
But two back-to-back goals from Lochie Eats and a flurry of goals late in the quarter saw Kaniva Leeor go up 34-26 by the first break.
Goals from Billy Taylor and Dylan Newell helped the Rams regain the lead as they managed to enter half-time with a slight 46-43 lead.
However, the Cougars quickly took advantage of their clearances to begin their third, kicking five straight goals to open up a 29-point lead.
Natimuk responded with four consecutive goals of their own before Jacob Eats kicked his third of the quarter just before the siren to give the visitors an 88-73 lead.
The sides traded goals throughout the fourth quarter, with the Cougars finishing with the 17-point win.
Jacob Eats ended with seven goals for the visitors while Jordan Clark had three.
For the home side, AJ Lupton had with four goals and Jett Munn kicked three.
Midfielders Sam Vivian and Tyler Roos were among the top performers for the Cougars, with Blake Dodson, Hamish Bennett and Lochie Eats all providing key contributions across the park.
Zachary Smith, Will Kennedy, Jacob Medwell and Mitchell Clarke were among the best for the Rams.
Asked about the all-important fourth quarter, co-coach Jacob Eats said the focus was to play smart and disciplined, particularly against a spirited Natimuk side.
“We tried to slow the play down and we just went back to basics, just went man on the footy,” Eats said.
“To their credit, they (Natimuk) just kept fighting the whole game and their midfield really had a good tussle; they had a real good ruckman and were able to get first use of the footy.
“But the best thing was we just kept grinding out, slowed the play down and just went to the final siren.”
Fellow co-coach Jonno Hicks said turnovers cost the side earlier in the game: something they improved on as the game progressed.
“Both teams had momentum throughout the game,” Hicks said.
“Early on, turnovers really cost us; it was a bit all-or-nothing.
“If there was a turnover across our half forward line, the ball was slingshot really well and Natimuk did a great job of scoring off that.
“As the game wore on, our mids did a great job; they really battled hard.
“Winning those clearances through the middle was really important and in the second half I think we got a bit better, as well as getting into our forward line.”
Hicks then praised Eats' strong performance up forward.
“Fantastic performance from Jacob, he really led from the front,” he said.
“He really turned the game for us early in the third.”