The Cats took on Gembrook at Gembrook in near freezing conditions. Due to Anzac day falling on a Saturday this game was scheduled for a Sunday and was an eagerly anticipated clash with Gembrook expecting to be the big improvers after a busy off season landing some big recruits. Here is a review of the weeks action.

Reserves

After losing to Mount Evelyn the Cats were hoping to turn around their form especially on a ground they have struggled with in the past. The toss fell Gembrooks way and they took advantage of the howling wind to register 2.4 to Silvans nil. The boys fought back hard with the wind but only managed to score the 1 goal which saw us go into half time 10 points down.
In the 3rd term Silvan had plenty of the play and restricted the opposition as the conditions saw the ball out of bounds on the far wing for alot of the quarter which was the tactic the Cats wanted. We managed to keep Gembrook goalless for the whole quarter booting just 4 behinds while Price put through his 2nd goal for the game. This gave the boys a glimmer of hope coming into the last quarter and with the aid of the breeze the Cats were a big chance.
Gembrook however were resilient enough and kept Silvan scoreless in the last as they added a further 4 behinds in what can only be described as a pretty ordinary game! Both sides managing just 2 goals each with Gembrooks 12 behinds being the difference and in fact Silvan kept them goalless after quarter time but were unable to take the points. There were no standouts in the game but big Chris in game 299 was a solid contributor while A.B, Trent and the return of Steve McGrady all worked hard but couldn't get the side over the line.

Final Scores: Gembrook 2.12.24. Defeated Silvan 2.0.12
Goals: Ben Price 2.
Best Players: Chris Maclagan, Steve McGrady, Ashley Beckwith, Shane Rowe, Trent Matthews.

Seniors

The Cats were aware this would be a tough game particularly in the conditions although the rain seemed to have passed and the ground was in good condition for the big clash. Just as Gembrook did in the reserves they won the toss and had first use of the wind. Silvan defended desperately and Bully continued on his good form kicking the first goal of the game against the wind. In an ugly fought contest the Cats held the opposition goalless and went into the first change a goal up but needed to make use of the wind in the 2nd. That they did as Gazza and Haynesy looked dangerous close to home both booting early goals in the quarter. Harty was proving a handful up forward as well and with Silvan on top all over the ground we went to the main break holding a 5 goal lead.
The third term was an even affair as the Cats continued to strangle Gembrook and not allow them to score freely. Sam Coen was doing a great shut down role on one of the oppositions highly fancied recruits while Dizzy and and new recruit Daniel Norman gathered countless possessions. At 3 quarter time it was Silvan holding a 34 point lead.
The last term again saw the Silvan forwards get plenty of supply and the good work was finished off by Haynes and Harty. With the temperature dropping all players were relieved to hear the final siren and the Cats were never troubled as they went on to score a 53 point win. It was an even contribution across the board with the standouts being Coen in defence, Bullen again in the centre and Haynes and Hartman both booting 4.

Final Scores: Silvan 12.9.81 Defeated Gembrook 4.14.38
Goals: Brett Hartman & Ben Haynes 4 each, Gary Moorcroft 2 and singles to Marc Bullen and Daniel Norman.
Best Players: Sam Coen, Marc Bullen, Sam Hills, Daniel Norman, Ben Haynes, Brett Hartman, David Gillespie.