The Country Kookaburras kicked off their 2012 Under 16 State Development Championships with a win over the PNG Binatangs at Yeronga today, running out convincing 67 point victors.
The PNG Binatangs really threw it up to the Kookaburras early and held a 5 point lead at Quarter time, kicking 3 goals to 2 in the first quarter.
A dominant second quarter by the Kookaburras saw them set up the victory with 5 goals to PNG’s nil, giving them a 26 point lead at the long interval.
The Kookaburras slowly increased the margin in the second half due to their good mix of tall marking options and smaller crumbing players, running out winners 14-8-92 over PNG Binatangs 4-1-25.
Kookaburra Coach David Harding said he was really pleased with the team’s work rate after quarter time and believed that all players contributed well to the victory.
Binatangs Coach Ben Drew was happy with the commitment of his team in their first match together as a group and commented that he was looking forward to the boys having more time together in their next 2 games .
Game Result
COUNTRY KOOKABURRAS 2-1 7-3 11-3 14-8-92
defeated
PNG BINATANGS 3-0 3-1 4-1 4-1-25
Country Goals
T Michael 3, H Mareko 2, J Brown 2, J Harding 2, J Lowe 2, J Williams, B Riesenweber, J Farley-Smith
Country Best
D Blankett, J Harding, H Mareko, M Tomsana, R Young, M Koch, T Michael, J Lowe
PNG Goals
J Tony 2, H Wartova M Nogfu
PNG Best
L Savere, M Nogfu, J Tony, B Tirang
This game completes round one of the Championships with the draw for Saturday 5 May at Zillmere as follows:
11.00 am – South Eastern Bushrangers v Gold Coast North
12.30 pm – Western Taipans v PNG Binatangs
2.00 pm – Northern Raiders v Suncoast Power
3.30 pm – Country Kookaburras v Gold Coast South
