SYDNEY AFL ROUND 15 - All Finals Spots Up for Grabs

  Mick Cousens and his Pennant Hills troops have a pep talk

The Sydney AFL heirarchy at the moment would be feeling very pleased with their decision to change to a final 5 for 2008. As the season has unfolded, 4 teams have broken away at the top; and had the final 4 system still been in operation, the finallists would already be locked in. But instead the minor premiership, the top 3 and 5th spot are all still very much open and the next few weeks will be all-important for shaping the 2008 finals series.

 

In round 15, the top 4 sides all recorded victories. Only percentage separates the top 3, with Pennant Hills having the best percentage. The percentage gap increased further on Saturday when the Demons demolished Wollongong by 178 points at Ern Holmes Oval. Bringing up the century before half-time while holding the Lions to a solitary goal, the tone had already been set for a one-sided contest. The one-sided nature of the match was to continue after the break, with Pennant Hills recording a double-century and recording the biggest win of the season to date.

Last year's Phelan Medallist, Charlie Richardson, was back at his brilliant best in a best-on-ground performance; making up for lost time in an interrupted season which has restricted him to just 4 senior games in 2008. Laine Spencer continued his impressive form with 6 goals, while Nick Campbell scored 5 and Scott Read and Scott Myers each contributed 4.UNSW-ES's Brad Abbott continues to lead the goalkicking
Pennant Hills have hit their top form in the last couple of weeks. In the last 2 rounds they have scored 391 points while conceding just 44 - ruthlessly disposing of non-finallist opposition. But the last 2 rounds see the Demons take on fellow contenders East Coast Eagles and UNSW-ES in matches that will give them a more testing hit-out before the finals. For Wollongong, it was another disappointing result in a disappointing season; and planning will already be under way to strengthen the side for their 2009 campaign.

 

Level on games with Pennant Hills, but with inferior percentages, are UNSW-ES and St George. St George retained their grip on third place and the double-chance but were far from convincing in an inaccurate 33-point win over Wests at Picken Oval. The St George defence was magnificent, starving the Magpies of opportunities, but some wasteful finishing by the Crows kept Wests in the contest; and the margin was just 9 points at the last change. But St George pulled away in the last quarter to put the match out of the Magpies' reach.

Brett Bedwell and Michael Holmes were among the Crows' best; while on a day when goals were hard to come by, Maurice Goolagong's 3 goals were critical. The Crows' next clash, against UNSW-ES at the Village Green, could well prove pivotal to determining their position for the finals. For Wests, Matt Withers and Mitchell Frail were among their best, but their 4th straight loss sees the Magpies sail into dangerous territory; needing a win against fellow 5th-place aspirant North Shore on Saturday to remain in the finals hunt.

 

St George's Maurice Goolagong has proved a handy target up forward
One game behind UNSW-ES and St George, but with a better percentage than both of them, is East Coast Eagles. The Eagles kept themselves in the race for the double-chance and handed Balmain a reality check with a comprehensive 85-point victory at Drummoyne Oval. Racing out of the starting blocks, the Eagles ran through 9 goals to 1 in the first quarter; and the Dockers were never able to work their way back into the contest.

For the Eagles, Rowan Bilkey and  Ben Physick were among their best while Gus Seebeck scored 6, with Aaron Byerlee and Ben Rogers each kicked 4. With UNSW-ES and St George playing each other next week, a win for East Coast will see them enter the top 3; but a crunch game against top side Pennant Hills the following week could well determine whether they stay there. Balmain's 2-match winning streak is over, but Daniel Napper with 4 goals and Troy Parker were among their best.

 

In second place is UNSW-ES, with the Bulldogs returning to the winners' list with a 66-point win over Sydney Uni. It was an 8-point ball game at the long break, but the Bulldogs pulled away in the premiership quarter with a 5 goals to 1 run and continued their dominance in the last term.

Veteran forward Brad Abbott continued his impressive form, scoring 5 goals to take his season tally to 73 and may well become the first player in many years to score the ton. Dane Rampe and Troy Luff each kicked 4, while Luke Jarjoura and Leigh Lavery were among the Bulldogs' best. The Bulldogs have a tough run home, facing St George next week and Pennant Hills in the last round.

It was a disappointing second-half fadeout for Sydney Uni, but their percentage is sufficient to keep them in the top 5. Mark Egan scored 5 for the Students and was their best, while Chris Clarebrough was also prominent. The final 2 rounds, with away trips to St George and North Shore, will be critical to determine whether the Students qualify for the finals in their second season back in Premier Division.

 

East Coast's Michael Sankey goes for a run
Breathing down Sydney Uni's neck, now only out of the top 5 on percentage, is reigning premier North Shore. The Bombers, after a slow start to 2008 are finishing the season strongly; and on Saturday caught up to Sydney Uni's points tally with a 49-point win over Campbelltown. It was a close contest early, with just 5 points separating the sides at the long break; but North Shore's game tightened and the Blues were only able to manage one goal in the third term before being held scoreless in the last term.

North Shore were well served by Lachlan Pryor with 5 goals, while Daniel Kulk scored 3 and Will Sierakowski was among the Bombers' best. The Bombers haven't had everything go their way this season, but are coming home strongly and have a favourable draw with their last 3 games all at Gore Hill, none of them against top 4 sides. Campbelltown were well served by Chris Lees with 4 goals, while Glenn Stevens was their best.

 

Alex Lee has had a successful season for Sydney Uni

With 3 rounds to go in First Division, Southern Sharks kept their double-chance prospects alive with a 33-point win over Manly-Warringah. UTS were far too good for NorWest Jets, recording a 91-point victory. Macquarie Uni, 31-point winners over Camden and Holroyd-Parramatta, after their 80-point win over Penrith, remain separated only by percentage for the last finals spot.

 


Pennant Hills   8.7   15.12   22.18   31.24 (210)

Wollongong   1.0   1.0   4.1   5.2 (32)

Goals : Pennant Hills - L Spencer 6, N Campbell 5, S Reed 4, S Myers 4, K Wright 3, M Carey 2, C Richardson 2, B Mill, J Trestrail, A Goodall, C Setford, B Jack. Wollongong - C Stanton, H Bown, M Adamson, S Dennis, T Bartlett.

Reserves - Pennant Hills 19.11 (125) d Wollongong 4.4 (28)

At Ern Holmes Oval, Saturday 2nd August.

 

St George   3.7   4.8   5.14   9.22 (76)

Western Suburbs   1.1   3.4   5.5   6.7 (43)

Goals : St George - M Goolagong 3, P Dugmore 2, C MacDougal 2, M Holmes, D Watkins. Wests - M Eurell 2, T O'Neill 2, M Withers, E Kassem.

Reserves - St George 14.9 (93) d Wests 5.7 (37)

At Picken Oval, Saturday 2nd August.

 

Daniel Kulk as a forward has played a role in North Shore's revival
East Coast Eagles   9.3   15.6   20.10   23.14 (152)

Balmain   1.1   7.1   8.5   10.7 (67)

Goals : East Coast - G Seebeck 6, A Byerlee 4, B Rogers 4, M Arbon 2, L Stanford 2, R Smyth 2, D Chapman, L Furlan, M Sankey. Balmain - D Napper 4, D Turner, D Hall, J Blums, B Dixon, T Parker, R Officer.

Reserves - East Coast 19.12 (126) d Balmain 2.4 (16)

At Drummoyne Oval, Sunday 3rd August.

 

Uni NSW-Eastern Suburbs   5.3   7.10   12.15   20.21 (141)

Sydney University   3.6   6.8   7.15   10.15 (75)

Goals : UNSW-ES - B Abbott 5, D Rampe 4, T Luff 4, A Heffernan, B Sutton, P Kefalas, M Carey, A Darling, S Pech, L Jarjoura. Sydney Uni - M Egan 5, A Lee 2, J McGuirk, N Cain, F Punch.

Reserves - UNSW-ES 11.14 (80) d Sydney Uni 10.18 (78)

At Sydney Uni No 1 Oval, Saturday 2nd August.

 

North Shore   3.4   9.9   12.14   17.18 (120)

Campbelltown   3.2   9.4   10.11   10.11 (71)

Goals : North Shore - L Pryor 5, D Kulk 3, K Tangney 2, M Wilson 2, R Butchatsky 2, S Carruthers, C Murphy, N Egan. Campbelltown - C Lees 4, G Stevens 2, M Edwins, P Free, A Condon, L Coughlan.

Reserves - North Shore d Campbelltown - forfeit.

At Gore Hill Oval, Saturday 2nd August.

 


 PlayedWonDrawnLostForAgainstPts%ageStreak
Pennant Hills1512031,8591,09948169.15W5
Uni NSW-Eastern Suburbs1512031,7171,26148136.16W1
St George1512031,4511,13048128.41W4
East Coast Eagles1511041,7461,11044157.30W1
Sydney University157081,4511,44728100.28L1
North Shore157081,2521,4932883.86W2
Western Suburbs156091,2761,4182489.99L4
Campbelltown1540111,0191,6951660.12L4
Balmain1530121,2091,7851267.73L1
Wollongong1510141,1471,689467.91L12

 

First Division:

Holroyd-Parramatta 15.17 (107) d Penrith 3.9 (27)

Uni Technology Sydney 17.16 (118) d NorWest Jets 4.3 (27)

Southern Sharks 13.9 (87) d Manly-Warringah 8.6 (54)

Macquarie Uni 15.9 (99) d Camden 10.8 (68)

Reserve Grade

Holroyd-Parramatta 20.10 (130) d Penrith 1.6 (12)

UTS 20.25 (145) d NorWest Jets 0.3 (3)

Manly-Warringah 11.9 (75) d Southern Sharks 7.4 (46)

Macquarie Uni 27.22 (184) d Camden 0.1 (1)

 

Matt Withers has enjoyed a solid season for Wests
Second Division:

Pennant Hills 18.19 (127) d Manly-Warringah 2.5 (17)

Sydney Uni Blue 24.29 (173) d Holroyd-Parramatta 2.1 (13)

UTS 17.16 (118) d Sydney Uni Red 6.5 (41)

Moorebank Sports 22.14 (146) d Macquarie Uni 6.2 (38)

UNSW-ES Bulldogs 19.21 (135) d UNSW-ES Whales 7.11 (53)

 

Under 18s Premier:

North Shore Bears 13.16 (94) d St Ignatius Riverview 5.5 (35)

St George 9.7 (61) d Western Suburbs 7.8 (50)

Wollongong 7.12 (54) d Pennant Hills 6.8 (44)

North Shore Bombers 14.8 (92) d Campbelltown 5.5 (35)

 

Under 18s Challenge:

Southern Sharks 14.13 (97) d Manly-Warringah 3.6 (24)

Penrith 8.13 (61) d East Coast Eagles 8.5 (53)

Macquarie Uni 7.5 (47) d Moorebank Sports 5.9 (39)

UNSW-ES 28.26 (194) d Pennant Hills 1.2 (8)

 

IT'S THE FINALS COUNTDOWN:

Ben Reid's development in the ruck has been a highlight for Campbelltown

With just one win separating 1st from 4th, it's the most even competition in years. This week sees UNSW-ES take on St George; and unless that match is a draw, an East Coast win over Wollongong will see the Eagles replace the loser of the Village Green in the top 3. Pennant Hills remain top with the best percentage, and take on non-finallist Balmain this week; but have a tough final 2 rounds against East Coast and UNSW-ES, with a loss in either game placing the Demons at risk of losing top spot.

The battle for 5th heats up, with a crunch game this week when North Shore hosts Wests. The Magpies will need a win - if North Shore and Sydney Uni both win this week, they will both go 2 games clear of Wests and as they play each other in the last round it then becomes impossible for Wests to pass them; so a North Shore win will end Wests' finals hopes.The remaining matches for the teams still in contention are (black = finallist, blue = contender, red = non-finallist) :

Pennant Hills (48 pts, 169.15%) - Balmain (Drummoyne), East Coast (Ern Holmes), UNSW-ES (Village Green)

UNSW-ES (48 pts, 136.16%) - St George (Village Green), Campbelltown (Monarch), Pennant Hills (Village Green)

St George (48 pts, 128.41%) - UNSW-ES (Village Green), Sydney Uni (Olds), Balmain (Drummoyne)

East Coast (44 pts, 157.30%) - Wollongong (Charles McLaughlin), Pennant Hills (Ern Holmes), Wests (Charles McLaughlin)

Sydney Uni (28 pts, 100.28%) - Campbelltown (Sydney Uni No 1), St George (Olds), North Shore (Gore Hill)

North Shore (28 pts, 83.86%) - Wests (Gore Hill), Wollongong (Gore Hill), Sydney Uni (Gore Hill)

Western Suburbs (24 pts, 89.99%) - North Shore (Gore Hill), Balmain (Picken), East Coast (Charles McLaughlin)

 

Damian Hall's perserverance has been rewarded with 3 Docker wins in 2008
NEXT WEEK'S MATCHES (Lurker's Kiss of Death in bold):

Saturday 9th August (Seniors 2:10pm, Reserves 12pm)

Sydney Uni No 1 Oval - Sydney University v Campbelltown

Village Green - UNSW-ES v St George

Charles McLaughlin Oval - East Coast Eagles v Wollongong

Gore Hill Oval - North Shore v Western Suburbs

Sunday 10th August (Seniors 2:10pm, Reserves 12pm)

Drummoyne Oval - Balmain v Pennant Hills

 

First Division:

Saturday 9th August (Seniors 2:10pm, Reserves 12pm)

Bensons Lane - NorWest Jets v Penrith

Fairfax Reserve - Camden v Southern Sharks

Gipps Rd Oval - Holroyd-Parramatta v Manly-Warringah

Trumper Park - UTS v Macquarie University

 

Troy Bartlett clears for the Lions
Second Division:

Saturday 9th August

Gipps Rd Oval - Holroyd-Parramatta v UNSW-ES Bulldogs (10am)

Sydney Uni No 1 - Sydney Uni Blue v Manly-Warringah (10am)

Trumper Park - UTS v Macquarie Uni (10am)

Village Green - UNSW-ES Whales v Pennant Hills (10am)

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

 

Under 18s Premier:

Saturday 9th August

Gore Hill Oval - North Shore Bombers v Western Suburbs (8:15am)

Charles McLaughlin Oval - East Coast Eagles v Wollongong (10:15am)

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

Sunday 10th August

Olds Park - St George v St Ignatius Riverview (10am)

Pennant Hills has the bye.

 

Under 18s Challenge:

Saturday 9th August

Charles McLaughlin Oval - East Coast Eagles v Macquarie Uni (8:15am)

Rosedale Oval - Moorebank Sports v Penrith (12pm)

Sunday 10th August

Ern Holmes Oval - Pennant Hills v Manly-Warringah (10am)

Village Green - UNSW-ES v Southern Sharks (10am)

 

Note - Due to personal reasons I wasn't able to attend a game and take photos this weekend. The pics for this article are taken from my archives from previous matches.