SYDNEY AFL ROUND 13 - Magpies Swoop, But UNSW-ES Still Top Dogs


Tempers flare on the forward line
At the two-thirds mark of the season, the competition ladder has split into three groupings. The top 4, all within a game of each other, all look to be certainties to play in the finals but the order among those teams is far from certain. The next group of 4 are fighting it out for one finals berth. And the bottom two are out of the running for this year's finals. And with no teams from within the same groups playing each other in Round 13, the majority of experts were in agreement with their tips for the round - but as we all know very well, upsets can happen.

So when top side UNSW-ES hosting 6th place Wests at the Village Green, they weren't taking any chances. Focussed on the job at hand from the start, the Bulldogs piled on the pressure from the opening. Within 35 minutes, veteran Troy Luff had marked and kicked the first of the game; and his second was to come just a minute later. And when Dane Rampe dribbled a grubber through at the 5 minute mark, it was already looking like the Bulldogs weren't going to let this one go.

Wests tried hard to get themselves back into the contest, with Matt Eurell getting a double to cut the gap. But another Bulldog burst during time-on blew the margin out. Again early in the second the Magpies were getting early possessions and created numerous opportunities up forward, but some poor finishing was to cost them. And the class of the Bulldogs rose to the top in the later stages of the quarter, running through 6 unanwered goals to extend the lead at the long break to 58 points when, through general play, it should have been significantly closer.Troy Luff scores another goal
Daniel Lambert at full-back for Wests was keeping Abbott quiet, but that had freed up Troy Luff as a target up forward. Former SANFL stars Luke Jarjoura and Stephen Pech were prominent, while Dame Rampe continued his rise up the rankings of Sydney football with a raft of possession.

The third term, with UNSW-ES kicking to the Anzac Parade end, began as the second left off with the Bulldogs continuing to extend the lead. But suddenly, a 50 metre penalty to Michael Carey was to change the face of the afternoon. What began as a small group pushing and shoving soon grew to include the entire both sides. Eid Kassem went to ground, his nose bleeding, and was blood-ruled as the fight went on. His face barely towelled down, Eid returned to the field. The umpires blew the whistle, calling a time-out and sending the teams to separate huddles to calm down before hostilities were to resume. A count was called for, but everything was in order. Finally, some 10 minutes after the 50 metre penalty was ordered, Carey kicked his goal but the momentum the Bulldogs had been building had been lost.

Wests were awarded a free from the restart, and their first goal since the first quarter was to come within a minute. The Magpies won the remainder of the quarter, and played a more competitive brand of football in the last term to cut the margin back under 10 goals. But it was still a comfortable win to UNSW-ES, one that maintained the Bulldogs' grip at the top of the ladder. Troy Luff was the best on ground, scoring 6 goals and having a hand in several others. Stephen Pech, Dane Rampe and Peter Kefalas were also solid contributors in a good team effort by the Bulldogs. For Wests, the loss prevented them from regaining a top-5 position this week; but they remain in the finals hunt and the next few weeks will be critical for their chances. Matt Eurell scored 5 for the Magpies, while Matt Withers had a solid game further downfield than his normal forward position and the Kassems were also in good form.

 Salem Kassem lines up a shot
Just one game behind UNSW-ES and with a better percentage is East Coast Eagles, and the Eagles kept themselves within striking distance of the minor premiership with a 58-point win over Campbelltown at Charles McLaughlin Oval. It was the Gus Seebeck Show, the big number 4 playing out the match at full-forward and dominating with a bag of 8 goals. After a low-scoring opening term, the Eagles asserted themselves with a 7 goals to 3 second term and the Blues were never permitted an opportunity to work their way into the contest. For Campbelltown, Lees and Kershaw each scored 3 goals, but the result leaves the Blues running out of time to keep themselves in finals contention; and they will need to capture some big scalps in the next few weeks to remain in finals contention.

 

Few expected Wollongong to trouble St George when the two sides met at Olds Park, but the first half was to be anything but the easy ride expected. The Lions put up some solid resistance to trail by just 3 points at the long break; but the effort proved too hard for the under-strength Wollongong side to maintain as Peter Dugmore and Mitch Cers ran riot in the second half. Eight unanswered goals in the last term blew the final margin out to 63 points, a disappointment for Wollongong, whose efforts for the first three terms should have entitled them to a much closer finish. Peter Dugmore scored 10 for the Crows, in a result that keeps the Southern Sydney side within reach of the double-chance. Cameron Stanton's 4 goals were a key contribution to the Lions' earlier resistance.

 

But the Crows remain in fourth place, as Pennant Hills maintained their higher ladder position with a 43-point win over Sydney Uni at Ern Holmes Oval. The Demons raced out of the blocks, 6 unanswered goals in the first term setting up an unassailable lead; and the Students would not match the Demons' first-quarter scoreline of 6 goals until late in the last quarter. Laine Spencer scored 3 goals, while Aaron Crisfield and Bart Mill were prominent for the Demons. Sydney Uni were well served by Joel Carr and Chris Clarebrough; but although the Students were defeated on the day, Wests' loss ensured that the Students would remain in 5th place.Ben Haberley receives a handball
On Sunday, North Shore had an opportunity to join Sydney Uni and Wests on 24 points and create a 3-way tie for 5th place; but the chance went begging as the Bombers travelled to Drummoyne Oval and suffered their first loss to Balmain since 2002. There was only a kick in it at half-time, but the second half saw the Dockers re-discover their inspiration to run North Shore out of the contest. The last few years haven't been kind to Balmain, but the Dockers flew the flag in this match. and once they had a sniff they displayed a level of passion and enthusiasm into the contest that suggests better times in the years ahead is possible. Daniel Napper and Ryan Officer each scored 5 for the Dockers, while Rob Butchatsky scored 4 for North Shore.

 

In First Division, Holroyd-Parramatta caused the upset of the day when the Goannas shocked Southern Sharks by 29 points at Gipps Rd. Camden were unable to manage a goal against UTS, likewise NorWest Jets in a big loss to Macquarie Uni. Manly-Warringah tightened their grip on the double-chance with an 87-point win over Penrith at Weldon Oval.

 

Uni NSW-Eastern Suburbs   6.3   12.9   15.10    19.12 (126)

Western Suburbs   2.4   2.11   6.13   9.15 (69)

Goals : UNSW-ES - T Luff 6, M Collett 2, A Heffernan 2, B Sutton 2, M Carey 2, S Pech 2, D Rampe, A Darling, B Abbott. Wests - M Eurell 5, A Taylor 2, C French, M Mendola.

Reserves - UNSW-ES 16.16 (112) d Wests 3.7 (25)

At Village Green, Saturday 12th July 2008.

 The Magpies appeal for holding the ball
East Coast Eagles   2.4   9.9   11.13   17.17 (119)

Campbelltown   1.2   4.3   6.5   9.7 (61)

Goals : East Coast - G Seebeck 8, L Stanford 3, A Byerlee 2, A Floyd 2, J Coulloupas, M Arbon. Campbelltown - C Lees 3, S Kershaw 3, M Skuse, J Wright, L Coughlan.

Reserves - East Coast 34.14 (218) d Campbelltown 0.0 (0)

At Charles McLaughlin Oval, Saturday 12th July 2008.

 

St George   4.5   6.10   12.12   20.18 (138)

Wollongong   3.3   6.7   9.8   9.11 (65)

Goals : St George - P Dugmore 10, M Cers 3, C MacDougal 2, A Low 2, M Goolagong, M Milner, D Watkins. Wollongong - C Stanton 4, D McClure 2, A McConnochie, C Wells, G Batty.

Reserves - St George 15.8 (98) d Wollongong 6.7 (43)

At Olds Park, Saturday 12th July 2008.

 

Pennant Hills   6.5   9.7   10.7   13.12 (90)

Sydney University   0.1   3.5   5.7   6.11 (47)

Goals : Pennant Hills - L Spencer 3, S Myers 2, N Campbell 2, B Mill, P Carey, K Wright, A Goodall, A Richardson, C Setford. Sydney Uni - A Lee 2, A Scott 2, M Egan, N Cain.

Reserves - Pennant Hills 8.11 (59) d Sydney Uni 5.7 (37)

At Ern Holmes Oval, Saturday 12th July 2008.

 

Balmain   6.1   8.3   14.8   19.11 (125)

North Shore   1.2   7.7   10.11   12.17 (89)

Goals : Balmain - D Napper 5, R Officer 5, B Dixon 4, J Blums 2, J Dickens, M Bujch, B Arndell. North Shore - R Butchatsky 4, B Attwood 3, D Kulk 2, M Long, M Voyage, R Wason.

Reserves - North Shore 25.11 (161) d Balmain 5.4 (34)

At Drummoyne Oval, Sunday 13th July 2008.

 

 PlayedWonDrawnLostForAgainstPts%ageStreak
Uni NSW-Eastern Suburbs1311021,5411,07344143.62W2
East Coast Eagles1310031,49293740159.23W7
Pennant Hills1310031,4681,05340139.41W3
St George1310031,26998540128.83W2
Sydney University136071,3041,23624105.50L1
Western Suburbs136071,1631,2702491.57L2
North Shore135081,0191,3872073.47L2
Campbelltown134099341,3941667.00L2
Balmain1320111,0241,516867.55W1
Wollongong1310129981,361473.33L10

 Max Collett drives the Bulldogs into attack
First Division:

Holroyd-Parramatta 15.12 (102) d Southern Sharks 11.7 (73)

Uni Technology, Sydney 29.20 (194) d Camden 0.10 (10)

Manly-Warringah 23.13 (151) d Penrith 10.4 (64)

Macquarie University 28.27 (195) d NorWest Jets 0.2 (2)

Reserve Grade

Southern Sharks 8.11 (59) d Holroyd-Parramatta 7.7 (49)

UTS 35.29 (239) d Camden 0.0 (0)

Manly-Warringah d Penrith - forfeit

Macquarie Uni 13.14 (92) d NorWest Jets 7.6 (48)

 

Second Division:

Sydney Uni Blue d Macquarie Uni - forfeit

UTS 18.10 (118) d UNSW-ES Whales 7.4 (46)

UNSW-ES Bulldogs 22.10 (142) d Holroyd-Parramatta 1.3 (9)

Manly-Warringah 15.8 (98) d Sydney Uni Red 6.10 (46)

Pennant Hills 12.10 (82) d Moorebank Sports 7.10 (52)

 

Under 18s Premier:

North Shore Bears 15.8 (98) d Pennant Hills 9.5 (59)

St George 7.9 (51) drew Wollongong 7.9 (51)

East Coast Eagles 14.9 (93) d Campbelltown 10.4 (64)

St Ignatius Riverview v Western Suburbs - Postponed

 

Under 18s Challenge:Eid Kassem goes to ground
Southern Sharks 14.13 (97) d East Coast Eagles 5.7 (37)

Manly-Warringah 20.18 (138) d Penrith 2.5 (17)

UNSW-ES 8.15 (63) d Macquarie Uni 4.8 (32)

Moorebank Sports d Pennant Hills - forfeit.

 

THE FINALS COUNTDOWN

With only 5 rounds to go, and a 4-game plus percentage gap between 4th and 5th, and with 5th and 6th to play each other next week, the top 4 teams are now safe in the final 5 and have qualified for September action - although the positions within the finals are all very much still up for grabs. UNSW-ES are a game clear of the other 3, although East Coast Eagles have a better percentage.

The last remaining finals position is up for grabs. Sydney Uni and Wests, each on 24 points, are in the box seat; while North Shore's loss to Balmain saw the Bombers miss out on an opportunity to join the Students and Magpies on the ladder. A game behind, with an inferior percentage and due to play top side UNSW-ES next week, North Shore will need to finish the season with a wet sail. Sydney Uni and Wests play each other this week, with the winner landing a serious punch in the fight for the last finals berth. Campbelltown remain a mathematical chance to make it, but need to do something special to remain in the hunt.Matt Eurell shoots and misses
The remaining matches for the teams still in contention : (Black = finallist, Blue = contender, Red = non-finallist).

1. UNSW-ES (44 pts, 143.62%) - North Shore (Henson), Sydney Uni (Sydney Uni No 1), St George (Village Green), Campbelltown (Monarch), Pennant Hills (Village Green)

2. East Coast (40 pts, 159.23%) - St George (Charles McLaughlin), Balmain (Drummoyne), Wollongong (Charles McLaughlin), Pennant Hills (Ern Holmes), Wests (Charles McLaughlin)

3. Pennant Hills (40 pts, 139.41%) - Campbelltown (Monarch), Wollongong (Ern Holmes), Balmain (Drummoyne), East Coast (Ern Holmes), UNSW-ES (Village Green)

4. St George (40 pts, 128.83%) - East Coast (Charles McLaughin), Wests (Picken), UNSW-ES (Village Green), Sydney Uni (Olds), Balmain (Drummoyne)

5. Sydney Uni (24 pts, 105.50%) - Wests (Sydney Uni No 1), UNSW-ES (Sydney Uni No 1), Campbelltown (Sydney Uni No 1), St George (Olds), North Shore (Gore Hill)

6. Wests (24 pts, 91.57%) - Sydney Uni (Sydney Uni No 1), St George (Picken), North Shore (Gore Hill), Balmain (Picken), East Coast (Charles McLaughlin)

7. North Shore (20 pts, 73.47%) - UNSW-ES (Henson), Campbelltown (Gore Hill), Wests (Gore Hill), Wollongong (Gore Hill), Sydney Uni (Gore Hill)

8. Campbelltown (16 pts, 67.00%) - Pennant Hills (Monarch), North Shore (Gore Hill), Sydney Uni (Sydney Uni No 1), UNSW-ES (Monarch), Wollongong (North Dalton)

 Samuel Rutland lays a tackle
ROUND 14 (Split Round) MATCHES (Lurker's Kiss of Death in bold)

Saturday 19th July (Seniors 2:10pm, Reserves 12pm)

Charles McLaughlin Oval - East Coast Eagles v St George

Monarch Oval - Campbelltown v Pennant Hills

Sydney Uni No 1 - Sydney University v Western Suburbs

Henson Park - UNSW-ES v North Shore

Saturday 26th July (Seniors 2:10pm, Reserves 12pm)

North Dalton Oval - Wollongong v Balmain

 

First Division:

Saturday 19th July (Seniors 2:10pm, Reserves 12pm)

Bensons Lane - NorWest Jets v Southern Sharks

Fairfax Reserve - Camden v Penrith

Gipps Rd Oval - Holroyd-Parramatta v UTS

Weldon Oval - Manly-Warringah v Macquarie Uni

 Cameron French scores for the Magpies
Second Division:

Saturday 19th July

Gipps Rd Oval - Holroyd-Parramatta v UTS (10am)

Sydney Uni No 1 - Sydney Uni Red v Macquarie Uni (10am)

Henson Park - UNSW-ES Whales v Manly-Warringah (10:15am)

Sunday 20th July

Village Green - UNSW-ES Bulldogs v Pennant Hills (12pm)

Rosedale Oval - Moorebank Sports v Sydney Uni Blue (2pm)

 

Under 18s Premier:

Saturday 19th July

Henson Park - North Shore Bears v Western Suburbs (8:15am)

Charles McLaughlin Oval - East Coast Eagles v St George (10am)

Monarch Oval - Campbelltown v Pennant Hills (10am)

Riverview First - St Ignatius Riverview v North Shore Bombers (10am)

Wollongong has the bye.

Saturday 26th July

Riverview First - St Ignatius Riverview v Western Suburbs (9am)

 

Under 18s Challenge:

Saturday 19th July

Ern Holmes Oval - Pennant Hills v Southern Sharks (10am)

Sunday 20th July

Village Green - UNSW-ES v Penrith (10am)

Rosedale Oval - Moorebank Sports v East Coast Eagles (12pm)

Saturday 26th July

Weldon Oval - Manly-Warringah v Macquarie Uni (10am)