| HARBOURSPORT |
Sydney AFL
| This article originally published on RedAndWhiteOnline. SYDNEY AFL ROUND 9 - Demons Win in Windy Wollongong Article and pics by Michael Shillito After a long weekend off for representative football, the club competition returned as the wintery weather set in. North Dalton Oval on Sunday was cold, with a stiff southerly buster having a major impact on the day's proceedings. It was a good toss for Pennant Hills to win, giving them first use of the wind. But early on, Pennant Hills found goals hard to come by. Instead, they found themselves on the wrong end of the umpiring after giving away a string of silly free kicks and three 50m penalties in the first 10 minutes. It wasn't easy for the Demons, with Wollongong getting plenty of possession early and hassling the Demons out of several contests. And a golden chance went begging when Clint Setford gained possession in the pocket, with an open goal in front of him, but instead of running in he blazed away and hit the post. But he was to make amends at the 12-minute mark, outmarking Weavers 30 metres out to score Pennant Hills' first. By now the Demons had hit their straps. A mark to Nick Campbell 50 metres out, but a 50m penalty turned a tricky shot into a certainty. As the clock ticked into time-on, Matt Carey received a free 45 metres out and kicked truly. Kieran Wright marked over the pack at 24 minutes and kicked truly, giving the Demons a 29-point lead at quarter time. But as the players switched ends for the second quarter, the momentum of the match also switched. Daniel McClure opened Wollongong's goal tally with a 50m penalty. A front foot no-ball on a kick-in saw the ball kept on the Lions' forward line, where a free to Troy Bartlett cut the lead further. Another free to Dennis from point blank range and a mark 30 out in the pocket by Cameron Stanton saw the lead cut to a kick. |
By now the wind had picked up further, blowing a gale to the scoreboard end. Fog was blowing down from the
mountains, bringing with it a cold shower. At 26 minutes, Ricky Neels outmarked Spencer, his goal giving the
Lions the lead. And as the rain got heavier, a clever snap by McConnochie on the siren extended the lead; with
the crowd in the grandstand giving the home side an ovation as they left the field with hopes of an upset.
During the break, the sun came out and the fog lifted; while Mick Cousens' words to his charges ensured the
Demons also lifted as the third quarter got under way. Alistair Richardson got the first, outmarking his
opponent 30 metres out on the slighest of angles. Clint Setford played on, catching the Lion defences
unawares and within 4 minutes the Wollongong lead had been elimintated. Just 2 minutes later, Matt Carey
roved the pack and made no mistake to restore the lead for the Demons. But, although it looked at that point
as though the Demons would get a run-on, some solid pressure by Wollongong was to frustrate the Demons
for much of the third term. The windy conditions, although helpful when attacking the scoreboard end, wasn't a
consistent breeze throughout the day, with players from both teams often finding themselves out of position
when the ball in flight acted unpredictably. Nick Campbell on the lead added another for the Demons, but for
much of the quarter they continued to attack but could manage only behinds. Time with the wind was running
out, and with only a 17-point lead at the 25 minute mark, would it be enough?
But as it turned out, the minute before and after the break snuffed out any hope of the upset of the season. A
long-range speculator landed in the goal square, where Setford pounced and ran into an open goal to extend
the Demon buffer. And from the bounce to start the final quarter, the Demon centre break found Setford who
went in short to find Jon Moraitis 30 metres out. Moraitis' kick, the only goal of the day to be kicked at the city
end, broke Wollongong's heart and ended any hope of victory. Even with the wind, the tired legs had no more
run in them, and although Adamson got one back on the run and Stanton scored a late goal from a set shot,
the Demons recorded a 21-point lead to maintain their grip on second place.
It had been a courageous effort by Wollongong. Given little chance in this match, they showed a fighting spirit
and determination that caused the Demons some nervous moments; and although beaten were far from
disgraced. For Pennant Hills, although they achieved the 4 points they came to get, but were given a tough
workout.
The grand final replay at Gore Hill on Saturday saw the Crows reverse last year's result for the second time
this season. The Crows led all day, extending their lead every quarter by shutting down the North Shore game;
getting quick replies whenever the Bombers dared to challenge before opening the floodgates in the last
term. Big Maurice Goolagong continued his impressive form on the forward line for the Crows with a bag of 4
in a result that consolidated the Crows' hold on a top-3 position, but one that sees North Shore languishing 2
games plus percentage out of the finals and facing a monumental challenge to have any hope of defending
their title.
Campbelltown visited the Village Green and stunned the locals with a strong opening quarter, and had they
kicked more accurately could have had a bigger lead than the 25-point advantage they held. But, let off the
hook, UNSW-ES came out firing after the quarter-time break, scoring 6 goals to 1 in the second term to hit the
lead shortly before the long break. The second half was a procession; with the Bulldogs, spearheaded by 7
goals from Brad Abbott and 5 from Troy Luff, racing away to record an 83-point victory.
Another game where the favourites were only a kick in front at the long break was at Drummoyne Oval, where
Sydney Uni held a 5-point lead over Balmain. But the second half was a different story, with the Students
re-discovering their form to snap a 4-match losing streak and retain their position in the top 5. Alex Lee was
the star of the show for the Students with 7 goals, while McGuirk contibuted 4 as the Students blew the
scoreline out in the second half to win by 69 points in a match that, for much of the contest, looked to be much
closer.
At Wagener Oval, East Coast jumped the locals early, running through 12 goals to 1 in the first half to put the
issue beyond doubt. Having wrapped up victory, the Eagles put their cue back in the rack and scoring dried up
in the second half; but the Eagles had already done enough to secure a 51-point win. Gus Seebeck with 3
goals was the Eagles' top goalscorer; but although the Eagles were already assured of victory, an opportunity
to boost their percentage ahead of other top-3 challengers had gone begging.
There were 4 one-sided matches in First Division. Manly-Warringah had an easy afternoon in defeating
Macquarie Uni by 91 points, while Southern Sharks were similarly untroubled in recording a 97-point win over
Camden. Penrith were 61 points too good for NorWest Jets, while UTS were inaccurate but still overcame
Holroyd-Parramatta by 52 points.
Pennant Hills 4.7 4.8 9.17 10.20 (80)
Wollongong 0.2 6.9 6.10 8.11 (59)
Goals : Pennant Hills - C Setford 3, M Carey 2, N Campbell 2, K Wright, A Richardson, J Moraitis. Wollongong
- C Stanton 2, D McClure, M Adamson, S Dennis, A McConnochie, R Neels, T Bartlett.
Reserves - Pennant Hills 9.8 (62) d Wollongong 6.9 (45)
At North Dalton Oval, Sunday 15th June 2008.
St George 3.4 6.6 8.10 12.18 (90)
North Shore 1.2 3.5 4.11 6.15 (51)
Goals : St George - M Goolagong 4, C Gordon 2, S Wilsen 2, D Donohue, C MacDougal, M Cers, D Watkins.
North Shore - A Cowell 2, P Brackin, A Nicks, B Attwood, T Strudwick.
Reserves - St George 11.17 (83) d North Shore 11.9 (75)
At Gore Hill Oval, Saturday 14th June 2008.
Uni NSW-Eastern Suburbs 3.1 9.5 13.6 22.16 (148)
Campbelltown 6.8 7.10 9.11 9.11 (65)
Goals : UNSW-ES - B Abbott 7, T Luff 5, B Oliver 2, S Pech 2, D Rampe, H Lee, M Collett, A Heffernan, A
Darling, L Jarjoura. Campbelltown - M Skuse 2, M Edwins 2, M Keys 2, D White, M Irving, J Wright.
Reserves - UNSW-ES 25.19 (169) d Campbelltown 1.2 (8)
At Village Green, Saturday 14th June 2008.
Sydney University 1.1 7.4 15.8 21.11 (137)
Balmain 2.3 6.5 9.8 10.8 (68)
Goals : Sydney Uni - A Lee 7, J McGuirk 4, J Champion de Crespign 2, B Mankarious 2, C McLachlan 2, A
Wilson 2, T Air, J Leary. Balmain - E Davis 3, D Turner 2, D Hall 2, D Napper, J Blums, N Darvill.
Reserves - Sydney Uni 19.20 (134) d Balmain 5.4 (34)
At Drummoyne Oval, Sunday 15th June 2008.
East Coast Eagles 6.1 12.2 13.9 14.12 (96)
Western Suburbs 1.0 1.4 3.4 5.5 (35)
Goals : East Coast - G Seebeck 3, G Garner 2, A Byerlee, M Arbon, A Floyd, B Physick, B Rogers, S Ryan, A
Polkinghorne, L Stanford, R Smyth. Wests - M Withers 2, C French, M Eurell, A Fiddler.
Reserves - East Coast 10.15 (75) d Wests 6.7 (43)
At Wagener Oval, Sunday 15th June 2008.
mountains, bringing with it a cold shower. At 26 minutes, Ricky Neels outmarked Spencer, his goal giving the
Lions the lead. And as the rain got heavier, a clever snap by McConnochie on the siren extended the lead; with
the crowd in the grandstand giving the home side an ovation as they left the field with hopes of an upset.
During the break, the sun came out and the fog lifted; while Mick Cousens' words to his charges ensured the
Demons also lifted as the third quarter got under way. Alistair Richardson got the first, outmarking his
opponent 30 metres out on the slighest of angles. Clint Setford played on, catching the Lion defences
unawares and within 4 minutes the Wollongong lead had been elimintated. Just 2 minutes later, Matt Carey
roved the pack and made no mistake to restore the lead for the Demons. But, although it looked at that point
as though the Demons would get a run-on, some solid pressure by Wollongong was to frustrate the Demons
for much of the third term. The windy conditions, although helpful when attacking the scoreboard end, wasn't a
consistent breeze throughout the day, with players from both teams often finding themselves out of position
when the ball in flight acted unpredictably. Nick Campbell on the lead added another for the Demons, but for
much of the quarter they continued to attack but could manage only behinds. Time with the wind was running
out, and with only a 17-point lead at the 25 minute mark, would it be enough?
But as it turned out, the minute before and after the break snuffed out any hope of the upset of the season. A
long-range speculator landed in the goal square, where Setford pounced and ran into an open goal to extend
the Demon buffer. And from the bounce to start the final quarter, the Demon centre break found Setford who
went in short to find Jon Moraitis 30 metres out. Moraitis' kick, the only goal of the day to be kicked at the city
end, broke Wollongong's heart and ended any hope of victory. Even with the wind, the tired legs had no more
run in them, and although Adamson got one back on the run and Stanton scored a late goal from a set shot,
the Demons recorded a 21-point lead to maintain their grip on second place.
It had been a courageous effort by Wollongong. Given little chance in this match, they showed a fighting spirit
and determination that caused the Demons some nervous moments; and although beaten were far from
disgraced. For Pennant Hills, although they achieved the 4 points they came to get, but were given a tough
workout.
The grand final replay at Gore Hill on Saturday saw the Crows reverse last year's result for the second time
this season. The Crows led all day, extending their lead every quarter by shutting down the North Shore game;
getting quick replies whenever the Bombers dared to challenge before opening the floodgates in the last
term. Big Maurice Goolagong continued his impressive form on the forward line for the Crows with a bag of 4
in a result that consolidated the Crows' hold on a top-3 position, but one that sees North Shore languishing 2
games plus percentage out of the finals and facing a monumental challenge to have any hope of defending
their title.
Campbelltown visited the Village Green and stunned the locals with a strong opening quarter, and had they
kicked more accurately could have had a bigger lead than the 25-point advantage they held. But, let off the
hook, UNSW-ES came out firing after the quarter-time break, scoring 6 goals to 1 in the second term to hit the
lead shortly before the long break. The second half was a procession; with the Bulldogs, spearheaded by 7
goals from Brad Abbott and 5 from Troy Luff, racing away to record an 83-point victory.
Another game where the favourites were only a kick in front at the long break was at Drummoyne Oval, where
Sydney Uni held a 5-point lead over Balmain. But the second half was a different story, with the Students
re-discovering their form to snap a 4-match losing streak and retain their position in the top 5. Alex Lee was
the star of the show for the Students with 7 goals, while McGuirk contibuted 4 as the Students blew the
scoreline out in the second half to win by 69 points in a match that, for much of the contest, looked to be much
closer.
At Wagener Oval, East Coast jumped the locals early, running through 12 goals to 1 in the first half to put the
issue beyond doubt. Having wrapped up victory, the Eagles put their cue back in the rack and scoring dried up
in the second half; but the Eagles had already done enough to secure a 51-point win. Gus Seebeck with 3
goals was the Eagles' top goalscorer; but although the Eagles were already assured of victory, an opportunity
to boost their percentage ahead of other top-3 challengers had gone begging.
There were 4 one-sided matches in First Division. Manly-Warringah had an easy afternoon in defeating
Macquarie Uni by 91 points, while Southern Sharks were similarly untroubled in recording a 97-point win over
Camden. Penrith were 61 points too good for NorWest Jets, while UTS were inaccurate but still overcame
Holroyd-Parramatta by 52 points.
Pennant Hills 4.7 4.8 9.17 10.20 (80)
Wollongong 0.2 6.9 6.10 8.11 (59)
Goals : Pennant Hills - C Setford 3, M Carey 2, N Campbell 2, K Wright, A Richardson, J Moraitis. Wollongong
- C Stanton 2, D McClure, M Adamson, S Dennis, A McConnochie, R Neels, T Bartlett.
Reserves - Pennant Hills 9.8 (62) d Wollongong 6.9 (45)
At North Dalton Oval, Sunday 15th June 2008.
St George 3.4 6.6 8.10 12.18 (90)
North Shore 1.2 3.5 4.11 6.15 (51)
Goals : St George - M Goolagong 4, C Gordon 2, S Wilsen 2, D Donohue, C MacDougal, M Cers, D Watkins.
North Shore - A Cowell 2, P Brackin, A Nicks, B Attwood, T Strudwick.
Reserves - St George 11.17 (83) d North Shore 11.9 (75)
At Gore Hill Oval, Saturday 14th June 2008.
Uni NSW-Eastern Suburbs 3.1 9.5 13.6 22.16 (148)
Campbelltown 6.8 7.10 9.11 9.11 (65)
Goals : UNSW-ES - B Abbott 7, T Luff 5, B Oliver 2, S Pech 2, D Rampe, H Lee, M Collett, A Heffernan, A
Darling, L Jarjoura. Campbelltown - M Skuse 2, M Edwins 2, M Keys 2, D White, M Irving, J Wright.
Reserves - UNSW-ES 25.19 (169) d Campbelltown 1.2 (8)
At Village Green, Saturday 14th June 2008.
Sydney University 1.1 7.4 15.8 21.11 (137)
Balmain 2.3 6.5 9.8 10.8 (68)
Goals : Sydney Uni - A Lee 7, J McGuirk 4, J Champion de Crespign 2, B Mankarious 2, C McLachlan 2, A
Wilson 2, T Air, J Leary. Balmain - E Davis 3, D Turner 2, D Hall 2, D Napper, J Blums, N Darvill.
Reserves - Sydney Uni 19.20 (134) d Balmain 5.4 (34)
At Drummoyne Oval, Sunday 15th June 2008.
East Coast Eagles 6.1 12.2 13.9 14.12 (96)
Western Suburbs 1.0 1.4 3.4 5.5 (35)
Goals : East Coast - G Seebeck 3, G Garner 2, A Byerlee, M Arbon, A Floyd, B Physick, B Rogers, S Ryan, A
Polkinghorne, L Stanford, R Smyth. Wests - M Withers 2, C French, M Eurell, A Fiddler.
Reserves - East Coast 10.15 (75) d Wests 6.7 (43)
At Wagener Oval, Sunday 15th June 2008.
|
First Division
Penrith 17.11 (113) d NorWest Jets 7.10 (52)
Southern Sharks 19.15 (129) d Camden 4.8 (32)
Uni Technology, Sydney 11.22 (88) d Holroyd-Parramatta 5.6 (36)
Manly-Warringah 22.9 (141) d Macquarie Uni 7.8 (50)
Reserve Grade
UTS 15.13 (103) d Holroyd-Parramatta 3.5 (23)
NorWest Jets 16.23 (119) d Penrith 1.2 (8)
Southern Sharks 25.17 (167) d Camden 2.2 (14)
Manly-Warringah 15.21 (111) d Macquarie Uni 3.6 (24)
Second Division
Pennant Hills 29.21 (195) d Holroyd-Parramatta 2.0 (12)
Sydney Uni Red 9.7 (61) d Sydney Uni Blue 7.16 (58)
UNSW-ES Bulldogs 11.9 (75) d UNSW-ES Whales 8.14 (62)
Manly-Warringah 14.16 (100) d Macquarie Uni 5.5 (35)
Moorebank Sports 11.7 (73) d UTS 7.12 (54)
Under 18s Premier
North Shore Bombers 15.4 (94) d St George 7.9 (51)
Campbelltown 8.9 (57) d St Ignatius Riverview 7.7 (49)
Pennant Hills 13.12 (90) d Wollongong 3.7 (25)
East Coast Eagles 9.14 (68) d Western Suburbs 9.12 (66)
Under 18s Challenge
UNSW-ES 15.12 (102) d Penrith 2.4 (16)
Southern Sharks 12.13 (85) d Pennant Hills 6.10 (46)
Moorebank Sports 8.16 (64) d East Coast Eagles 7.5 (47)
Macquarie Uni 11.11 (77) d Manly-Warringah 3.9 (27)
NEXT WEEK'S FIXTURES (Lurker's Kiss of Death in bold)
Saturday 21st June (Seniors 2:10pm, Reserves 12pm)
Charles McLaughlin Oval - East Coast Eagles v Sydney Uni
Ern Holmes Oval - Pennant Hills v North Shore
Monarch Oval - Campbelltown v Western Suburbs
North Dalton Oval - Wollongong v UNSW-ES
Olds Park - St George v Balmain
First Division:
Saturday 21st June (Seniors 2:10pm, Reserves 12pm)
Fairfax Reserve - Camden v NorWest Jets
Gwawley Oval - Southern Sharks v Macquarie Uni
Trumper Park - UTS v Penrith
Weldon Oval - Manly-Warringah v Holroyd-Parramatta
Second Division:
Saturday 21st June
Pittwater No 5 - Manly-Warringah v Holroyd-Parramatta (10am)
Trumper Park - UTS v UNSW-ES Bulldogs (10am)
Sunday 22nd June
St Pauls Oval - Sydney Uni Red v Moorebank Sports (10am)
Ern Holmes Oval - Pennant Hills v Sydney Uni Blue (12pm)
Village Green - UNSW-ES Whales v Macquarie Uni (12pm)
Under 18s Premier:
Saturday 21st June
Charles McLaughlin Oval - East Coast Eagles v North Shore Bears (10am)
Ern Holmes Oval - Pennant Hills v North Shore Bombers (10am)
Monarch Oval - Campbelltown v Western Suburbs (10am)
North Dalton Oval - Wollongong v St Ignatius Riverview (10am)
St George has the bye.
Under 18s Challenge:
Saturday 21st June
Gwawley Oval - Southern Sharks v Macquarie Uni (10am)
Weldon Oval - Manly-Warringah v East Coast Eagles (10am)
Sunday 22nd June
Ern Holmes Oval - Pennant Hills v Penrith (10am)
Village Green - UNSW-ES v Moorebank Sports (10am)
Penrith 17.11 (113) d NorWest Jets 7.10 (52)
Southern Sharks 19.15 (129) d Camden 4.8 (32)
Uni Technology, Sydney 11.22 (88) d Holroyd-Parramatta 5.6 (36)
Manly-Warringah 22.9 (141) d Macquarie Uni 7.8 (50)
Reserve Grade
UTS 15.13 (103) d Holroyd-Parramatta 3.5 (23)
NorWest Jets 16.23 (119) d Penrith 1.2 (8)
Southern Sharks 25.17 (167) d Camden 2.2 (14)
Manly-Warringah 15.21 (111) d Macquarie Uni 3.6 (24)
Second Division
Pennant Hills 29.21 (195) d Holroyd-Parramatta 2.0 (12)
Sydney Uni Red 9.7 (61) d Sydney Uni Blue 7.16 (58)
UNSW-ES Bulldogs 11.9 (75) d UNSW-ES Whales 8.14 (62)
Manly-Warringah 14.16 (100) d Macquarie Uni 5.5 (35)
Moorebank Sports 11.7 (73) d UTS 7.12 (54)
Under 18s Premier
North Shore Bombers 15.4 (94) d St George 7.9 (51)
Campbelltown 8.9 (57) d St Ignatius Riverview 7.7 (49)
Pennant Hills 13.12 (90) d Wollongong 3.7 (25)
East Coast Eagles 9.14 (68) d Western Suburbs 9.12 (66)
Under 18s Challenge
UNSW-ES 15.12 (102) d Penrith 2.4 (16)
Southern Sharks 12.13 (85) d Pennant Hills 6.10 (46)
Moorebank Sports 8.16 (64) d East Coast Eagles 7.5 (47)
Macquarie Uni 11.11 (77) d Manly-Warringah 3.9 (27)
NEXT WEEK'S FIXTURES (Lurker's Kiss of Death in bold)
Saturday 21st June (Seniors 2:10pm, Reserves 12pm)
Charles McLaughlin Oval - East Coast Eagles v Sydney Uni
Ern Holmes Oval - Pennant Hills v North Shore
Monarch Oval - Campbelltown v Western Suburbs
North Dalton Oval - Wollongong v UNSW-ES
Olds Park - St George v Balmain
First Division:
Saturday 21st June (Seniors 2:10pm, Reserves 12pm)
Fairfax Reserve - Camden v NorWest Jets
Gwawley Oval - Southern Sharks v Macquarie Uni
Trumper Park - UTS v Penrith
Weldon Oval - Manly-Warringah v Holroyd-Parramatta
Second Division:
Saturday 21st June
Pittwater No 5 - Manly-Warringah v Holroyd-Parramatta (10am)
Trumper Park - UTS v UNSW-ES Bulldogs (10am)
Sunday 22nd June
St Pauls Oval - Sydney Uni Red v Moorebank Sports (10am)
Ern Holmes Oval - Pennant Hills v Sydney Uni Blue (12pm)
Village Green - UNSW-ES Whales v Macquarie Uni (12pm)
Under 18s Premier:
Saturday 21st June
Charles McLaughlin Oval - East Coast Eagles v North Shore Bears (10am)
Ern Holmes Oval - Pennant Hills v North Shore Bombers (10am)
Monarch Oval - Campbelltown v Western Suburbs (10am)
North Dalton Oval - Wollongong v St Ignatius Riverview (10am)
St George has the bye.
Under 18s Challenge:
Saturday 21st June
Gwawley Oval - Southern Sharks v Macquarie Uni (10am)
Weldon Oval - Manly-Warringah v East Coast Eagles (10am)
Sunday 22nd June
Ern Holmes Oval - Pennant Hills v Penrith (10am)
Village Green - UNSW-ES v Moorebank Sports (10am)
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