SYDNEY AFL ROUND 18 - Blacktown Olympic Park Opens in Style
Article and Photos by Michael Shillito

 

Sydney AFL has a new venue for blockbuster matches, with Blacktown Olympic Park being officially opened and the lights switched on as Western Suburbs took on Pennant Hills on the venue that both sides will be getting used to during this year's finals. It was the highlight of a remarkable day of football on Saturday which produced plenty of upsets; as the non-finallists took part in their final match for 2009.

 

Blacktown Olympic Park was looking a treat. Since the rep game, the electronic scoreboard and the big screen have been built; while the grass on the hill has been rolled out. Through the afternoon, the Blacktown Family SportsFest had profiled several sports, with interactive displays, coaching clinics and giveaways; including a coaching clinic from Swans legend Tony Lockett. The number 2 oval saw several junior finals, while the main oval saw the Under 18s and First Division. Then as day turned into night, the venue's opening ceremony took place; and then it was time for the big event, the Premier Division clash between Wests and Pennant Hills.

It was a clash that promised much. Wests, after a solid season, had already wrapped up the double-chance in the finals. And the results of the afternoon matches had meant that Pennant Hills, should they win this match, would join the Magpies in qualifying for the double-chance and would earn a re-match against the Magpies next week.

The Demons got off to a flying start, with two goals in the opening three minutes. Having the better of play early, controlling the ball through the midfield, early impressions were that the Demons were looking comfortable, despite Eid Kassem getting one goal back for the Magpies. It would get better for the Demons as the quarter continued, with Damian Dell'Aquila dribbling a goal through and a clever soccer effort from Cameron Smith at the edge of the square. And despite a late snap from Troy Cole, the Demons led by 10 points at quarter time. Early in the second quarter, a free for holding in the square gave Tom Angel the easiest of goals, and the Demons a 16-point advantage.

But although to this point in the game the Demons had been the better side, the Magpies now lifted and created opportunities. A nice grubber by Matt Eurell got the Magpies on the board in the second term. Continuing to press, they could manage only behinds until a shot looked to be going wide only to be marked by Matt Eurell under the shadow of the goal post. Only a short distance out but an impossible angle; or it would have been had there been anyone on the mark.  But there wasn't, and Eurell was able to play on and goal. Just a minute later, a snap by David Clout saw the Magpies hit the lead. But, on the shadows of half-time the Demons regained the lead, two 50m penalties within 30 seconds setting up Cameron Smith for his second goal. And, as the goal went through, Sydney's first rain for a month began to fall.

The rain had stopped by the time the premiership quarter started. But the third term saw Wests assert themselves, scoring the first six goals to establish a match-winning break. The forward structure of Matt Eurell and Troy Cole found themselves creating numerous scoring chances; while Brett Bedwell and Ben Absolum were creating plenty of Demon headaches through the midfield. Cole and Eurell each kicked two for the quarter, Eurell being denied another when receiving a pass from a Cole free kick only for advantage not to be paid and the ball called back. The last goal was the most noteworthy of the lot, a brilliant run downfield with 2 bounces saw the ball move towards a Demon defensive tackle, only for the ball to spill to Marcus Linsen. Although Alistair Richadson got a late goal for the Demons, the Magpies were 28 points clear by the last change.

The final quarter saw the clock ticking by quickly, although the scoring came slowly. Scott Myers swooped on a loose ball to give the Demons the slightest of lifelines, but when Ben Absolum pounced on a chance at the 14 minute mark and kicked truly, the result was beyond doubt. Each side kicked a goal during the final minutes of the match, but this was to be Wests' day.

Matt Eurell kicked 5 for the Magpies and Troy Cole 3; while Brett Bedwell, Cole and Ben Absolum were among their best. For Pennant Hills, Damian Dell'Aquila and Scott Myers were key contributors. After the game, Wests captain Stephen Hudson was presented with the Mayoral Shield, and echoed the marketing slogan for the venue and the thoughts of most people who were at the venue by stating "I love Blacktown". The evening then concluded with a spectacular fireworks display; commemorating the opening of the stadium which will be a key part of Sydney football for the future.

Click here to see Harboursport's photo gallery from this match.

Pennant Hills' defeat was an opportunity lost to enter the top 3 and the double-chance in the finals. The chance had come after UNSW-ES had been defeated by Sydney Uni by 25 points at Sydney Uni No 1; the Students finishing their season with a 3-match winning streak. For the first three quarters it had been a see-sawing encounter, the Students leading by 5 points at the last change. The game then opened up in a high-scoring final quarter, where Sydney Uni scored 7 goals to 4. Mark Egan kicked 6 and Sam Crichton 3 for the Students, while Ben Mankarious and Egan were again among their leading ball-winners. For the Bulldogs, Stephen Pech kicked 4 while Jon Bradfield and Mike Beardsley were among their best.

Sydney Uni's third season in Premier Division didn't produce a finals berth. Their 5-match losing streak in the early stages of the season would cost the Students dearly. Particularly their narrow 1-point loss to Campbelltown at Monarch in Round 4 in a game where the Students had more scoring shots - had the Students won that game, they would have qualified for the finals, the difference between pleasure and pain being a fine line indeed. But there were plenty of positives the Students could take out of their season. Mark Egan and Gary Burch served with distinction in the rep squad, while Ben Mankarious was frequently named among Sydney Uni's best players and is likely to poll well in the Phelan Medal. Their development of young talent took a new step as they fielded an Under-18s side for the first time, while Ton Young and Jesse Martin received Rising Star nominations. The club's season is far from over, with their First and Fourth Division sides and their Under 18s Challenge Cup team taking part in finals action.

 

The wooden spoon had already been ensured to go to Balmain, but the Dockers saved their best performance till last with a 53-point win over North Shore at Gore Hill on Saturday afternoon. It was goal for goal in the first term, but the Dockers gained the upper hand in the second quarter with a 4 goals to 1 burst to lead by 22 points at half time. Bomber hopes of getting back into the game were dashed when the Dockers won the third quarter, and by then it was party time for Balmain with 6 goals to 2 in the final quarter. Daniel Napper kicked 5 goals for the Dockers and Evan Davis 3, while Napper and Nick Todd were among their best. For the Bombers, Andrew Marsh kicked 3 while Sam Carruthers and Andrew Marsh were key contributors.

The curtain closes on Balmain's season with the Dockers getting the wooden spoon, but it hasn't been all doom and gloom. The highlight of their season would undoubtedly be claming the scalp of reigning premier Pennant Hills, and on their day they could be competitive against the best teams in the league. Over the course of the season, some of their young guns continued to develop, with Joe Britton and Jarred Mobbs being recognised with Rising Star nominations; and with the Dockers once again fielding an Under 18s team, a pathway for junior talent to progress to senior football is assured. The club has advertised for a new coach next season, and will be hopeful their new mentor can entice some more quality players to their attractive football facility at Drummoyne.

North Shore missed the finals for only the second time this decade. Like last year, the Bombers started the season slowly, but this time they were unable to repeat their miracle run to the finals late in the season. The Bombers in recent seasons have developed a reputation for outstanding talent development; and this continued in 2009. In any given week, half the North Shore senior side is under 20 years, many of them being recognised for their potential with AFL Scholarships. James Brain and James Webster received Rising Star nominations. Ron Wason and Lachlan Pryor represented Sydney AFL against AFL Canberra last month. North Shore's Under 18s Premier Cup team took out the minor premiership, and coach Michael Hosking can again look forward to another crop of juniors challenging the senior players for selection in years to come.

 

St George finished their 2009 season in style with a 22-point victory over Campbelltown at Olds Park. The Blues started strongly to lead by 21 points at the first change, but the Dragons switched on after quarter time with an 8 goals to 3 second term and then held the Blues to just 5 points during the premiership quarter. By the last change the Dragons' lead was out to 24 points, and there was to be no escape for the Blues as the Dragons continued to play with passion in the last term. Jon Shineberg and Josh Barrett each kicked 3 for St George, Tim Addison and Barrett being prominent around the ground. For the Blues, Blake McCrossen and Fraser Brown were among their best.

St George, back in the red and white Dragons colours, found the going tough for much of 2009. An exodus of players before the season started saw them forced to rebuild their list, and the loss of coach Brad Pullin early in the season saw Shane Demir thrown in the deep end when he wasn't expecting it. The Dragons had an early highlight in the opening round at Mahoney Park when they twice came from 4 goals down to defeat Sydney Uni; but a 7-game losing streak saw them fall behind the pace. But to their credit, they continued to fight hard in every game, and rewards came as the season unfolded; and claiming the scalp of Campbelltown in the last round gives the Dragons real hope that 2010 will be a better year for them. Declan Donohue served in the rep squad with distinction, while Carlo Lombardo and Ben Maddern received Rising Star nominations. And the club still has some finals action to come, with the Dragons taking part in the Under 18s Premier Cup playoffs.

 

The last upset of the home and away season took place under lights at North Dalton, when minor premiers East Coast Eagles suffered a shock 7-point loss at the hands of Wollongong. Inaccurate finishing in front of goals would cost the Eagles dearly, while the Lions made the best use of their opportunities; and although the margin was never great the Lions led at every change and hung on for dear life in the last quarter to take out a remarkable win. The cork on Eagles' champagne for Gus Seebeck's ton had to stay on the bottle, as the Eagle spearhead was held goal-less for the night and remains on 97 goals for the season. Mitchell Thomson and Troy Bartlett were among the Lions' best, while the Eagles were well served by Ben Physick and Mark Skuse.

Wollongong finish the season with 4 wins and a draw, their best return in five years in Premier Division. On their day they can challenge the best teams in the competition, and with a win against minor premiers East Coast and an amazing draw against second-placed Wests, the Lions have shown they have the ability to compete with the best. Over the course of the year their list continued to develop, and Aidan Riley was rewarded for his efforts with a Rising Star nomination. Adam McConnochie and Ken Ewen-Chappel, consistently named among Wollongong's best, will be challengers on Phelan Medal night. And the club's season isn't over yet, with Wollongong's Under 18s Premier Cup team to represent the club in the playoffs. Well-run off the field, and with a fantastic facility at North Dalton, on-field success has been the missing piece in the Wollongong jigsaw. But when that comes, the Lions will be a club to be reckoned with.

Western Suburbs   2.4   5.6   11.10   13.13 (91)

Pennant Hills   4.2   6.2   7.6   9.8 (62)

Goals : Wests - M Eurell 5, T Cole 3, B Absolum 2, E Kassem, M Linsen, D Clout. Pennant Hills - D Dell'Aquila 2, C Smith 2, A Richardson, S Myers, J Low, T Angel, B Beaston.

Best : Wests - B Bedwell, T Cole, B Absolum, E Kassem, D Lambert, J Minichiello. Pennant Hills - D Dell'Aquilia, S Myers, A Richardson, C Smith, B Jack, J Lewis.

At Blacktown Olympic Park, Saturday 22nd August 2009.

 

Sydney University   2.7   5.15   9.16   16.19 (115)

Uni NSW-Eastern Suburbs   2.4   4.7   9.11   13.12 (90)

Goals : Sydney Uni - M Egan 6, S Crichton 3, B Mankarious, D Archer, T Ley, A Lee, A Kraefft, M Thompson, C Walsh. UNSW-ES - S Pech 4, J Bradfield 2, B Abbott, R Underwood, M Collett, L Lavery, B Sutton, K Emery, A Heffernan.

Best : Sydney Uni - B Mankarious, M Egan, S Crichton, D Archer, N Barton, A Lee. UNSW-ES - J Bradfield, M Beardsley, S Pech, B Sutton, A Pech, J Robbie.

At Sydney Uni No 1 Oval, Saturday 22nd August 2009.

Balmain Dockers   4.1   8.4   13.4   19.6 (120)

North Shore   3.3   4.6   7.9   9.13 (67)

Goals : Balmain - D Napper 5, E Davis 3, J Blums 2, A Randell 2, D Turner 2, A Cottrell 2, A Kyprianou, D Brian, N O'Brien. North Shore - A Marsh 3, M Carpenter, R Meldrum, S Carruthers, J Russell-Jones, T Strudwick, J Webster.

Best : Balmain - D Napper, N Todd, A Randell, B Jones, J Miller, J Mobbs. North Shore - S Carruthers, A Marsh, B Fitzgerald, C Holmes, J Webster, T Strudwick.

At Gore Hill Oval, Saturday 22nd August 2009.

 

St George   2.1   10.5   12.10   15.15 (105)

Campbelltown   5.4   8.5   8.10   12.11 (83)

Goals : St George - J Shineberg 3, J Barrett 3, D Carey 2, S Demir, D Donohue, J Do Canto, P McBride, T Addison, C Windle, N Charlwood. Campbelltown - B McCrossen 2, C Lees, B Reid, M Edwins, D Chivas, S Doherty, N Tyerman, B Yakimov, F Brown, R Love, O Love.

Best : St George - T Addison, J Barrett, J Shineberg, P McBride, S Wicken, D Donohue. Campbelltown - B McCrossen, F Brown, C Fretwell, C Lees, M Edwins, M Keys.

At Olds Park, Saturday 22nd August 2009.

 

Wollongong   2.1   4.1   7.3   9.4 (58)

East Coast Eagles   0.3   2.8   5.13   6.15 (51)

Goals : Wollongong - M Toussis 2, G Batty 2, A Riley 2, P Balding, J Weavers, K Ewen-Chappel. East Coast - M Skuse, L Stanford, A Polkinghorne, J Dwyer, S Ryan, J Dimery.

Best : Wollongong - M Thomson, G Bartlett, A McConnochie, D Goodley, A Riley, J Weavers. East Coast - B Physick, M Skuse, D Bowles, J Dwyer, R Fitton, E Wilson.

At North Dalton Oval, Saturday 22nd August 2009.

 

First Division:

UTS 13.9 (87) d North Shore 7.13 (55)

Manly-Warringah 24.21 (165) d St George 7.4 (46)

Sydney Uni 13.11 (89) d UNSW-ES 9.6 (60)

Western Suburbs 10.6 (66) d Pennant Hills 4.11 (35)

East Coast Eagles 12.13 (85) d Wollongong 5.11 (41)

Ladder - UTS (72, 238.31%), Manly-Warringah (60, 212.24%), East Coast (52, 152.57%), Sydney Uni (44, 157.41%), UNSW-ES (44, 117.91%), Pennant Hills (28, 109.08%), Western Suburbs (22, 62.81%), Wollongong (18, 49.72%), North Shore (16, 65.03%), St George (4, 32.55%).

 

Second Division:

UTS 14.21 (105) d Sydney Uni 3.9 (27)

Southern Power d Campbelltown - forfeit

Manly-Warringah 15.18 (108) d Camden 7.4 (46)

Holroyd-Parramatta 14.12 (96) d East Coast Eagles 5.5 (35)

Macquarie Uni 9.21 (75) d Balmain 6.8 (44)

Ladder - Southern Power (72, 424.06%), Macquarie Uni (64, 278.16%), UTS (52, 236.00%), Holroyd-Parramatta (52, 150.26%), Sydney Uni (40, 129.55%), Balmain (24, 75.05%), Manly-Warringah (20, 77.18%), Camden (16, 41.55%), East Coast (12, 34.66%), Campbelltown (8, 24.03%).

 

Third Division:

Southern Power 10.5 (65) d Penrith 8.13 (61)

NorWest Jets 35.24 (234) d Holroyd-Parramatta 0.0 (0)

UNSW-ES 15.22 (112) d UTS 5.6 (36)

Macquarie Uni 14.13 (97) d Moorebank Sports 4.13 (37)

Ladder (Match Ratio) - NorWest Jets (93.75, 300.51%), UNSW-ES (93.75, 281.01%), UTS (62.5, 141.56%), Macquarie Uni (56.25, 142.16%), Moorebank Sports (43.75, 94.36%), Pennant Hills (37.5, 77.40%), Pennant Hills (31.25, 76.03%), Penrith (31.25, 76.03%), Southern Power (31.25, 58.88%), Holroyd-Parramatta (0, 16.10%).

Fourth Division:

Sydney Uni 15.17 (107) d UTS 3.6 (24)

NorWest Jets 36.28 (244) d Holroyd-Parramatta 0.1 (1)

Manly-Warringah 15.16 (106) d Camden 2.7 (19)

UNSW-ES d Penrith - forfeit

Macquarie Uni 11.14 (80) d Moorebank Sports 9.2 (56)

Ladder - Sydney Uni (68, 310.84%), UNSW-ES (56, 187.98%), NorWest Jets (54, 285.17%), Manly-Warringah (44, 126.98%), UTS (40, 150.97%), Macquarie Uni (38, 128.78%), Moorebank Sports (28, 89.24%), Penrith (20, 58.97%), Holroyd-Parramatta (12, 30.18%), Camden (0, 13.64%).

 

Under 18s Premier:

North Shore 20.15 (135) d Balmain 4.3 (27)

St George 24.22 (166) d Campbelltown 4.2 (26)

St Ignatius Riverview 16.15 (111) d UNSW-ES 5.8 (38)

Pennant Hills 19.16 (130) d Western Suburbs 3.4 (22)

East Coast Eagles 13.10 (88) d Wollongong 4.11 (35)

Ladder (Match Ratio) - North Shore (88.89, 320.58%), East Coast (86.11, 219.92%), St George (80.56, 240.96%), Pennant Hills (66.67, 219.76%), Wollongong (66.67, 119.96%), UNSW-ES (30.56, 73.27%), Balmain (27.78, 45.74%), St Ignatius Riverview (23.53, 59.41%), Campbelltown (14.71, 34.40%), Western Suburbs (11.11, 30.56%).

 

Under 18s Challenge:

East Coast Eagles 10.6 (66) d Holroyd-Parramatta 8.11 (59)

Sydney Uni 29.24 (198) d Pennant Hills 1.1 (7)

Southern Power 14.5 (89) d Penrith 6.13 (49)

Moorebank Sports 13.18 (96) d Macquarie Uni 3.5 (23)

Ladder (Match Ratio) - Sydney Uni (93.75, 411.51%), Southern Power (87.5, 189.09%), Penrith (75, 221.91%), Moorebank Sports (62.5, 127.15%), Pennant Hills (56.25, 83.64%), East Coast (31.25, 82.63%), Macquarie Uni (18.75, 39.75%), Holroyd-Parramatta (12.5, 36.84%), Manly-Warringah (12.5, 33.40%).

 

 

NEXT WEEK'S FIXTURES - Finals Week 1.

Saturday 29th August 2009.

 

Qualifying Finals - Blacktown Olympic Park

10:00am - Under 18s Premier - East Coast Eagles v St George

12:00pm - First Division - Manly-Warringah v East Coast Eagles

2:15pm - Premier Division - Western Suburbs v UNSW-ES

Second Semi Finals - Henson Park

8:30am - Under 18s Challenge - Sydney University v Southern Power

10:40am - Fourth Division - Sydney University v UNSW-ES

12:45pm - Third Division - NorWest Jets v UNSW-ES

3:00pm - Second Division - Southern Power v Macquarie University

 

Sunday 30th August 2009.

 

Elimination Finals - Blacktown Olympic Park

10:00am - Under 18s Premier - Pennant Hills v Wollongong

12:00pm - First Division - Sydney University v UNSW-ES

2:15pm - Premier Division - Pennant Hills v Campbelltown

 

First Semi Finals - Henson Park

8:30am - Under 18s Challenge - Penrith v Moorebank Sports

10:40am - Fourth Division - NorWest Jets v Manly-Warringah

12:45pm - Third Division - UTS v Macquarie University

3:00pm - Second Division - UTS v Holroyd-Parramatta