SYDNEY AFL ROUND 11 - Dockers Close but Blues Prevail at DrummoynePicturesque Drummoyne Oval

There are few more pleasant experiences in football than visiting picturesque Drummoyne Oval on a sunny afternoon. A scenic background for what was to be a football match that, although far from the highest-standard game so far this season, provided plenty of excitement and drama to keep the larger than normal crowd enthralled.

The home side, Balmain, have struggled in recent seasons and went into this match with just one win so far this season; while visitors Campbelltown were desperately looking for a spark to re-ignite their season which had become stagnant in recent weeks after a promising start. And it was Campbelltown who started the better; midfielder Chris Lees, wearing a helmet, leading out to mark 35 out and kicking truly. Troy Parker, back in the Dockers' lineup after a 2-month absence, equalised but that was to propel the Blues into action. Some clever roving by Shanan Kershaw, a double by Chris Kendrick and some lack of manning up to leave Luke Coughlan unmarked within scoring range saw the Blues open up a 19-point quarter-time advantage.

In the end, that first quarter burst was to prove the difference between the two teams. But, far from capitulating, the Dockers threw their all into the contest and tried hard to work their way back into the game. The second and third quarters were to be goal for goal - high-scoring and entertaining despite both sides putting in numerous turnovers. On occasions the Blues stepped up and threatened to run away with the contest, but the Dockers worked away and stopped the gap blowing out. On other occasions the Dockers looked to be closing the margin and getting back into the contest, but the Blues were able to find the steadying goal to ease the threat.Chris Lees opens Campbelltown's account

At times Balmain were their own worst enemy, with some costly turnovers and with Robbie Allen finding himself yellow-carded shortly before half-time. The Dockers also found themselves on the wrong end of some mystifying umpiring decisions; such as in the third quarter when one umpire called a Balmain free while another umpire simultaneously called a Campbelltown free. After some discussion between the umpires, with the umpire who originally called the Campbelltown free signalling for a bounce mid-conversation, the Campbelltown free was awarded.

Campbelltown were leading by 18 points at the last change; but within 5 minutes of the restart there was only a kick in it. A low slips-catch mark to Troy Parker in the pocket, and then a fine running effort by Daniel Napper, had given the Dockers a deficit of just 6 points and with momentum and the home crowd giving them a good chance to get over the line for their second win of the season. If they could have held their nerve, and with greater experience in the tight pressure situations, they may have been able to achieve the result; but it wasn't to be.Damian Hall is first in line for the ball

A 50 metre penalty turned what would have been a tough kick for Luke Coughlan into a certainty. Minutes later, Ben Reid was tackled late after a mark and was taken 50 metres forward to score another. The three-quarter time lead was restored, and the Docker frustration with the umpiring boiled over. A run of 50 metre penalties to the Blues throughout the last quarter killed Balmain's chances of putting pressure on Campbelltown; and the Blues would go on to record a 26-point victory.

For Campbelltown, the win was a welcome boost to a season that showed promise early before falling away. Still 2 games out of the 5 and with a lowly percentage, the finals may only be just mathematically possible; but this win keeps them clear of the bottom rungs of the ladder. Mark Skuse and Matt Edwins were back to their best, while Ben Yakimov gave the Blues a good target to aim for up forward. Balmain, although unsuccessful in this match, could take plenty of heart from this performance; and although beaten continued to fight hard all day. Troy Parker was a welcome addition back into the Docker lineup, while Daniel Napper was also prominent for the Dockers.

 Shanan Kershaw drives the Blues forwardSydney Uni switched on the lights at the Number 1 Oval when the Students hosted North Shore on Saturday night. The Students led for most of the night, kicking the first 2 goals in every quarter; but the Bombers continued to chip away at their deficit and hit the front for the first time in the game shortly before the 3-quarter time siren. The Students hit the lead again in the last, but North Shore regained the lead deep in time on and took out a 7-point victory. Bomber veteran Daniel Kulk, after playing much of his career as a defender, moved forward to kick 6 for the Bombers; while Alex Lee continued his impressive form with 4 for the Students. It wasn't a good day for Sydney Uni, whose reserves had their score wiped back to zero early in the last quarter after falling foul of a player count.

 

Top side UNSW-ES suffered their second loss of 2008 when the Bulldogs went down to East Coast Eagles by 46 points at Charles McLaughlin Oval. The Bulldogs made the early front-running and still led by 7 points at the long break, but a 6 goals to 1 burst by the Eagles during the premiership quarter gave the home side the momentum to run away with the contest. The Eagles again shared the goalkicking around, with 10 players getting on the scoreboard; Adam Floyd leading the way with 3 goals while Alan McLennan and Jon Vlatko accumulated plenty of possession. The Bulldogs were well served by Brad Abbott and Luke Jarjoura each contributing 3 goals while Troy Luff was also prominent.

 

After a shock loss to North Shore, Pennant Hills bounced back with a comprehensive 61-point win over St George at Ern Holmes Oval. The Demons made the front-running with 8 goals to 2 in the first half before opening the floodgates with an 8-goal third term. Clint Setford scored 5 for the Demons, while tall forward Laine Spencer returned to his best form with 4. Missing suspended forward Peter Dugmore, the Crows struggled for forward options, and although Maurice Goolagong contributed 4 goals the Crows never looked likely to post a competitive score.Daniel Fraser takes a ball-up

Western Suburbs returned to the top 5 after the Magpies posted a 41-point win over Wollongong at North Dalton Oval on Saturday. Matt Eurell was at his irrepressible best for the Magpies with 9 goals, while Cameron French was also effective up forward with 4 goals. An inaccurate 0.7 opening quarter by the Lions kept them on the back foot all day. Cameron Stanton and Andrew Holmes with 2 goals apiece were the Lions' only multiple goalkickers. There were only 12 points in it at half-time, but a 7 goals to 3 third term put the Magpies in the box seat and back into the top half of the ladder.

 

In First Division, ladder leaders UTS were given a tough contest by Macquarie Uni but prevailed by 27 points. Holroyd-Parramatta are now only out of the 4 on percentage after the Goannas defeated Camden by 17 points. Southern Sharks were 70 points too good for Penrith, while Manly-Warringah took out a 96-point win over NorWest Jets.

 

Campbelltown   6.2   12.2   15.6   20.11 (131)

Balmain   3.1   8.5   11.12   15.15 (105)

Goals : Campbelltown - B Yakimov 4, L Coughlan 4, B Reid 2, C Kendrick 2, S Kershaw 2, A Condon 2, M Skuse 2, M Keys, C Lees, G Stevens. Balmain - D Napper 3, B Dixon 3, T Parker 3, D Hall 2, K Moon, A Randell, E Davis, R Officer.

Reserves - Balmain 14.23 (107) d Campbelltown 8.6 (54)

At Drummoyne Oval, Sunday 29th June 2008.

 


An uncontested mark for the Dockers
North Shore   4.2   7.3    11.10   15.11 (101)

Sydney University   4.5   8.12   10.15   13.16 (94)

Goals : North Shore - D Kulk 6, A Nicks 3, J O'Dell 2, T Strudwick 2, A Naylor 2. Sydney Uni - A Lee 4, M Egan 3, B Mankarious, C Walsh, A Scott, B Coles, F Punch, R Dawson.

Reserves - North Shore 13.8 (86) d Sydney Uni 3.0 (18)

Sydney Uni No 1 Oval, Saturday 28th June 2008.

 

East Coast Eagles   1.3   5.5   11.7   16.11 (107)

Uni NSW-Eastern Suburbs   4.3   6.6   7.11   8.13 (61)

Goals : East Coast - A Floyd 3, L Furlan 2, B Rogers 2, G Seebeck 2, R Smyth 2, A Byerlee, D Spiteri, M Arbon, N Gordon, L Stanford. UNSW-ES - B Abbott 3, L Jarjoura 3, D Rampe, P Kefalas.

Reserves - East Coast 14.14 (98) d UNSW-ES 7.7 (49)

At Charles McLaughlin Oval, Saturday 28th June 2008.

 

Pennant Hills   4.3   8.7   16.10   20.12 (132)

St George   1.1   2.3   5.4   11.5 (71)

Goals : Pennant Hills - C Setford 5, L Spencer 4, B Jack 3, B Mill 2, N Campbell 2, J Trestrail, S Myers, A Goodall, J Duncan. St George - M Goolagong 4, S Wilsen 3, C MacDougal 2, M Holmes 2.

Reserves - Pennant Hills 14.12 (96) d St George 10.9 (69)

At Ern Holmes Oval, Saturday 28th June 2008.

 

Western Suburbs   4.1   7.4   14.7   18.10 (118)

Wollongong   0.7   4.10   7.11   11.11 (77)

Goals : Wests - M Eurell 9, C French 4, M Withers 2, L Roehrig, B Lafferty. Wollongong - C Stanton 2, A Holmes 2, D McClure, S Dowling, S Dennis, A McConnochie, M Hogan, G Batty, T Bartlett.

Reserves - Wollongong 15.14 (104) d Wests 5.6 (36)

At North Dalton Oval, Saturday 28th June 2008.

 


 PlayedWonDrawnLostForAgainstPts%ageStreak
Uni NSW-Eastern Suburbs119021,27489836141.87L2
East Coast Eagles118031,18781932144.93W5
Pennant Hills118031,21489032136.40W1
St George118031,00683832120.05L2
Western Suburbs116059789802499.80W2
Sydney University115061,1621,06520109.11L2
North Shore115068731,0772081.06W2
Campbelltown114077911,1501668.78W1
Wollongong1110108521,128475.53L8
Balmain1110107941,286461.74L5

 Daniel Wilson clears for BalmainFirst Division:

Manly-Warringah 19.16 (130) d NorWest Jets 5.4 (34)

Holroyd-Parramatta 17.9 (111) d Camden 14.10 (94)

Southern Sharks 17.19 (121) d Penrith 7.9 (51)

Uni Technology, Sydney 12.9 (81) d Macquarie Uni 8.6 (54)

Reserve Grade

Manly-Warringah 18.9 (117) d NorWest Jets 3.7 (25)

Holroyd-Parramatta 17.12 (114) d Camden 2.0 (12)

Southern Sharks 20.21 (141) d Penrith 5.6 (36)

UTS 9.13 (67) d Macquarie Uni 8.7 (55)

 

Second Division:

UNSW-ES Whales 10.18 (78) d Holroyd-Parramatta 3.5 (23)

Manly-Warringah d Macquarie Uni - forfeit.

Pennant Hills 12.15 (87) d Sydney Uni Red 4.10 (34)

Sydney Uni Blue 18.10 (118) d UNSW-ES Bulldogs 10.4 (64)

Moorebank Sports 8.14 (62) d UTS 8.2 (50)Troy Parker receives a pass

Under 18s Premier:

East Coast Eagles 16.20 (116) d St Ignatius Riverview 7.6 (48)

Pennant Hills 14.14 (98) d St George 5.3 (33)

North Shore Bombers 14.9 (93) d North Shore Bears 8.8 (56)

Wollongong 16.10 (106) d Western Suburbs 6.10 (46)

 

Under 18s Challenge:

Southern Sharks 11.12 (78) d Penrith 6.15 (51)

Macquarie Uni 19.21 (135) d Pennant Hills 1.2 (8)

UNSW-ES 15.13 (103) d East Coast Eagles 6.8 (44)

Moorebank Sports 10.12 (72) d Manly-Warringah 6.9 (45)

 Evan Davis lines up a shotNEXT WEEK'S FIXTURES (Lurker's Kiss of Death in bold):

Saturday 5th July (Seniors 2:10pm, Reserves 12pm)

Monarch Oval - Campbelltown v St George

Picken Oval - Western Suburbs v Pennant Hills

Sydney Uni No 1 - Sydney University v Wollongong

Village Green - UNSW-ES v Balmain

Gore Hill Oval - North Shore v East Coast Eagles

 

First Division:

Saturday 5th July (Seniors 2:10pm, Reserves 12pm)

Bensons Lane - NorWest Jets v Holroyd-Parramatta

Fairfax Reserve - Camden v Manly-Warringah

Greygums Oval - Penrith v Macquarie Uni

Gwawley Oval - Southern Sharks v UTS

 

Second Division:

Saturday 5th July

Sydney Uni No 1 - Sydney Uni Blue v UTS (10am)

Macquarie Uni Oval - Macquarie Uni v Sydney Uni Red (10am)

Village Green - UNSW-ES Whales v Moorebank Sports (10am)

Sunday 6th July

Ern Holmes Oval - Pennant Hills v Holroyd-Parramatta (12pm)

Village Green - UNSW-ES Bulldogs v Manly-Warringah (12pm)

 Ben Reid takes a 50m penaltyUnder 18s Premier:

Saturday 5th July

Gore Hill Oval - North Shore Bombers v East Coast Eagles (8:15am)

Monarch Oval - Campbelltown v St George (10am)

Picken Oval - Western Suburbs v Pennant Hills (10am)

Gore Hill Oval - North Shore Bears v Wollongong (10:15am)

St Ignatius Riverview has the bye.

 

Under 18s Challenge:

Saturday 5th July

Greygums Oval - Penrith v Macquarie Uni (10am)

Gwawley Oval - Southern Sharks v Moorebank Sports (10am)

Sunday 6th July

Ern Holmes Oval - Pennant Hills v East Coast Eagles (10am)

Village Green - UNSW-ES v Manly-Warringah (10am)