UGSFL 2025: Thrilling one-point win for Cats, Hawks upset reigning premiers and Tigers too good at home

Williams notched a nailbiting one-point win at home while Narrogin and Katanning Wanderers were also impressive winners in round six of the Upper Great Southern Football League competition on Sunday. The Cats claimed their second win of the season, coming from behind in the last quarter to beat Brookton-Pingelly. Both teams kicked three goals in the final stanza, but the home side managed 3.3 as the claimed a tense victory, 10.7 (67) to 10.6 (66). The Panthers kicked the first goal of the game and led by a single point at quarter time. There was plenty of pressure from both sides but the Cats hit back with four majors to the Panthers’ one, giving them at a comfortable 19-point lead at half-time. The tables turned in third quarter, as the visitors took control with four majors to hold a slender one-point lead at three quarter time. Jackson Ryan and Gerard Medlen proved vital for the Cats with three and two goals respectively while Kyle Shanahan, Simon Panizza, Bradley Jetta, Brady Hill and Nic Fry were outstanding as the Cats clawed their way across the line. For the Panthers, Finn O’Reilly was dynamite in the forward half booting five majors in a losing affair. Panthers Ryley Conlan was strong in the air with his marks while Jacob Sounness, Liam Beacom, Adam Brock, Finn Taylor and Bailey Parsons all worked tirelessly. Reigning premiers Boddington had their winning streak ended by a feisty Narrogin side, with the previously unstoppable team finally roadblocked with a 26-point defeat at Clayton Road Oval. Malachi Bolton stunned for the new ladder-topping Hawks, booting a whopping seven majors in the upset, well supported in victory by Brad Timms, Coen Jackman, Declan Phillips, Tom Kilpatrick and Fraser Goode. Ben Sherry (one goal), Matt Giumelli (one), Blake Reynolds, Jarrod Salmeri, Jacob Schorer, Jordan Hughes and Luke Kirk (three) all shone for the Eagles in their first loss of the season, 13.15 (93) to 10.7 (67). Katanning Wanderers were keen to impress at home on a special memorial pink day, rallying from a neck-and-neck third term to dispatch Wagin with a 14.13 (97) to 11.8 (74) win. Corey Eades, Joshua McMahon (both three) and James Laurino (two) starred as the Tigers headline act as they kicked five goals in the final term to steal a 23-point win. Jake Blight, Braydon Keley and Thomas Hamon also played well for the Tigers. The Bulldogs were best served by Nick Menegola, George Gibson, Nicholas McMahon, Riley Hill, Alfred Finlayson and Max Mumme. Kukerin-Dumbleyung took a strong early lead and were on track for an upset win over Wickepin at Nenke Oval. The Cougars and entered the long break 35 points up but their confidence was rattled in the second half, and they rolled over as the Warriors went on to win 12.16 (88) to 9.8 (62). Ryan Melvin (four) and David Roche (three) were the main avenues to goal for the visitors while Dion Anthony, Flynn Spark, Damon Watt and Royce Melvin were also influential. The home side were well led by Will Liston, Howie Clegg (four), Jye Depane, Charlie Keast, Matt Dare and Mitchell O’Neill.