SYDNEY AFL ROUND 16 - Bomber Burst Makes Magpie Misery
Article and photos by Michael Shillito
Looking good for a finals berth a month ago, a 4-match losing streak for Western Suburbs saw the Magpies dip out of the top 5; and as they travelled to Gore Hill for a match against a resurgent North Shore side it had become sudden-death for Wests. North Shore, after an indifferent start to the season had come storming back into contention in recent weeks and went into this match only out of the top 5 on percentage. The winner would remain in contention, but the loser would be lamenting a non-finals year in 2008.
In the early minutes of the game, Wests made the early front-running; but their inability to capitalise on their opportunities would cost them dearly. A scramble in the goalsquare saw Mitch Frail snap the opening goal at the 2 minute mark, but despite creating numerous opportunities the Magpies were unable to add another. A marking opportunity bounced off Withers' chest, and a downfield free saw a short pass to Frail who missed from 30 metres out. Instead, and against the run of play, it was North Shore who would score the next goal at the 11 minute mark when a free off the ball and a 50 metre penalty put Michael Voyage within range.
The goal opened the floodgates, and a devastating burst by the Bombers set up a commanding lead for the Bombers. A long bomb from Wason gave the Bombers the lead, and a free gave him another just a minute later. Adam Lord capitalised on a 50 metre penalty, Ben Attwood ran his full measure before snapping another, and a free to Lachlan Pryor on the edge of the square saw North Shore race to a 30-point lead. Wests desperately needed something, but didn't get it on the final siren when Marcus Linsen lined up a free from 20 out on a tight angle and sprayed it out on the full.
With a 28-point lead at quarter time, and the Bombers scoring again within a minute of the start of the second quarter, it looked like it could be a one-sided contest. But Wests refused to capitulate and slowly worked their way back into the contest. The second quarter was even, and a late goal to the Magpies shortly before the three-quarter time siren saw the margin reduced to 23 points. And when Withers added his fourth goal early in the last, the margin was back to 17 points. Could the Magpies come from behind to steal an unlikely win and keep their finals hopes alive?
The next goal would be crucial, but it went North Shore's way when a free kick to Lachlan Pyror, starring in a best-on-ground performance, was converted. That goal deflated Wests' bubble, and was the end of their finals road. The Magpie disappointment was added to late in the contest when Matt Withers injured his leg and jumped straight onto the bench for treatment without passing through the interchange area. It had been a brave fight by the Magpies, but the Bombers had the superior firepower when it mattered and went on to complete a 36-point victory to keep themselves only a percentage break out of the top 5. Pryor and Ron Wason each scored 3 for the Bombers and were among their best, while Matt Withers contributed 4 for the Magpies and Daniel Lambert was their best.
The Bombers remain outside the five on percentage, that gap being maintained when Sydney Uni were 81 points too good for Campbelltown at Sydney Uni No 1. Leading by 26 points at the long break after an entertaining shootout in the first half, the Students powered away with a 10 goals to 1 burst in the premiership quarter. It was the Mark Egan Show, with the number 5 dominant around the ground; especially up forward where he bagged a 10-goal haul. Well supported by 4 goals from Angus Scott and a glut of possession from veteran Frank Punch, the Students had all the answers. Campbelltown were well beaten on the day, but Chris Lees' strong midfield performance and 3 goals were a highlight for the Blues.
The TV cameras were at the Village Green to record Wednesday night's Aurora TV offering, and they witnessed UNSW-ES make a significant step towards the double-chance when they recorded a 56-point win over St George. A see-sawing first half saw St George leading by one point at the long break, but the last lead change of the game early in the third quarter saw the Bulldogs take the ascendancy. Jon Bradfield, Brad Abbott and Troy Luff all scored 4 for the Bulldogs, while former Phelan Medallist Stephen Peck was their best. For St George, Peter Dugmore scored 3 and Brett Bedwell was their best.
East Coast Eagles replaced St George in the top 3 when they recorded a 93-point win over Wollongong at Charles McLaughlin. The Lions came out determined to make an impression in what has been a disappointing season, and took a shock lead of 12 points at the first change. But the Eagles regained the lead in the second term; and as with many other games this round the third quarter was crucial when the Eagles ran in 8 goals to 1 to put the game out of Wollongong's reach. Gus Seebeck scored 7 in a best-on-ground performance, while Ben Rogers scored 3. For Wollongong, Graham Batty with 2 was their only multiple goalscorer.
Pennant Hills continued their awesome form of recent weeks when the Demons came to Drummoyne and demolished Balmain by 141 points. The Dockers were unable to score a goal until midway through the third term, and by then Pennant Hills were well over 100 points in front. Sharing the goalscoring spoils around, 12 Demon players got their name onto the scorers' list; with Laine Spencer's 5 goals being the largest contribution. Charlie Richardson, for the second week in a row, was best on ground, as the Demons again signalled to the rest of the league that they intend to dominate as we head to the business end of the season.
In First Division, Penrith condemned NorWest Jets to the wooden spoon with a 24-point victory at Bensons Lane. The thriller of the round saw Holroyd-Parramatta move into the top 4 when the Goannas upset Manly-Warringah by 7 points at Gipps Rd. Southern Sharks were 69 points too good for Camden, while UTS wrapped up the minor premiership with a 56-point win over Macquarie Uni.
North Shore 6.3 9.7 12.10 16.14 (110)
Western Suburbs 1.5 4.8 8.11 10.14 (74)
Goals : North Shore - L Pryor 3, R Wason 3, D Conway 2, D Kulk 2, B Attwood 2, A Lord, T Strudwick, M Voyage, R Butchatsky. Wests - M Withers 4, M Eurell 2, L Roehrig 2, M Frail, M Hudson.
Reserves - North Shore 13.13 (91) d Wests 12.8 (80)
At Gore Hill Oval, Saturday 9th August.
Sydney University 7.4 12.6 22.10 26.12 (168)
Campbelltown 2.2 8.4 9.7 13.9 (87)
Goals : Sydney Uni - M Egan 10, A Scott 4, B Mankarious 3, A Lee 2, B Coles 2, J Champion de Crespign, S Crichton, C Walsh, M Healy, J Leary. Campbelltown - C Lees 3, D Fraser 2, G Stevens 2, M Irving, M Edwins, P Free, S Kershaw, J Wright, T Wright.
Reserves - Sydney Uni 24.15 (159) d Campbelltown 3.1 (19)
At Sydney Uni No 1 Oval, Saturday 9th August.
Uni NSW-Eastern Suburbs 3.1 7.3 13.7 21.9 (135)
St George 3.6 6.10 9.11 11.13 (79)
Goals : UNSW-ES - J Bradfield 4, B Abbott 4, T Luff 4, L Jarjoura 3, J Kiel 2, M Mullinder, B Sutton, O Sidlo-Jones, S Pech. St George - P Dugmore 3, S Wilsen 2, D Williams, M Goolagong, M Cers, M Milner, B Bedwell, T Cole.
Reserves - UNSW-ES 9.16 (70) d St George 9.4 (58)
At Village Green, Saturday 9th August.
East Coast Eagles 2.3 8.6 16.9 23.13 (151)
Wollongong 4.3 6.3 7.7 8.10 (58)
Goals : East Coast - G Seebeck 7, B Rogers 3, J Coulloupas 2, L Stanford 2, R Smyth 2, D Chapman, A Floyd, S Ryan, M Sankey, M Johnston, R Bilkey, K Pearson. Wollongong - G Batty 2, C Stanton, S Dennis, P Murphy, S Davis, R Neels, T Bartlett.
Reserves - East Coast 18.8 (116) d Wollongong 8.12 (60)
At Charles McLaughlin Oval, Saturday 9th August.
Pennant Hills 6.6 14.11 21.16 26.16 (172)
Balmain 0.1 0.2 1.5 4.7 (31)
Goals : Pennant Hills - L Spencer 5, S Myers 3, C Setford 3, M Carey 2, S Reed 2, S Jones 2, K Wright 2, N Campbell 2, L Bilbe 2, C Richardson, A Goodall, T Angel. Balmain - J Miller, J Blums, E Davis, R Officer.
Reserves - Pennant Hills 16.24 (120) d Balmain 1.1 (7)
At Drummoyne Oval, Sunday 10th August.
Played Won Drawn Lost For Against Pts %age Streak Pennant Hills 16 13 0 3 2,031 1,130 52 179.73 W6 Uni NSW-Eastern Suburbs 16 13 0 3 1,852 1,340 52 138.21 W2 East Coast Eagles 16 12 0 4 1,897 1,168 48 162.41 W2 St George 16 12 0 4 1,530 1,265 48 120.95 L1 Sydney University 16 8 0 8 1,619 1,534 32 105.54 W1 North Shore 16 8 0 8 1,362 1,567 32 86.92 W3 Western Suburbs 16 6 0 10 1,350 1,528 24 88.35 L5 Campbelltown 16 4 0 12 1,106 1,863 16 59.37 L5 Balmain 16 3 0 13 1,240 1,957 12 63.36 L2 Wollongong 16 1 0 15 1,205 1,840 4 65.49 L13
First Division:
Penrith 12.18 (90) d NorWest Jets 9.12 (66)
Southern Sharks 16.24 (120) d Camden 7.9 (51)
Holroyd-Parramatta 14.9 (93) d Manly-Warringah 12.14 (86)
Uni Technology, Sydney 17.12 (114) d Macquarie Uni 10.8 (68)
Reserve Grade
NorWest Jets 10.9 (69) d Penrith 2.2 (14)
Southern Sharks 27.28 (190) d Camden 1.4 (10)
Manly-Warringah 19.9 (123) d Holroyd-Parramatta 6.1 (37)
UTS 17.17 (119) d Macquarie Uni 1.2 (8)
Second Division:
UNSW-ES Bulldogs 20.13 (133) d Holroyd-Parramatta 3.2 (20)
Sydney Uni Blue 21.24 (150) d Manly-Warringah 5.2 (32)
UTS 21.16 (142) d Macquarie Uni 5.5 (35)
Pennant Hills 24.16 (160) d UNSW-ES Whales 9.3 (57)
Moorebank Sports 16.15 (111) d Sydney Uni Red 3.8 (26)
Under 18s Premier:
North Shore Bombers 20.13 (133) d Western Suburbs 6.8 (44)
Wollongong 10.11 (71) d East Coast Eagles 8.14 (62)
Campbelltown 9.13 (67) d North Shore Bears 9.7 (61)
St George d St Ignatius Riverview - Forfeit.
Under 18s Challenge:
Macquarie Uni 8.6 (54) d East Coast Eagles 7.11 (53)
Moorebank Sports 21.10 (136) d Penrith 4.10 (34)
Pennant Hills 9.8 (62) d Manly-Warringah 8.5 (53)
UNSW-ES 15.16 (106) d Southern Sharks 6.3 (39)
FINALS CALCULATIONS
And so, with just 2 weeks to the finals, it's still an open battle for all finals positions in this amazingly even season. Two teams, Pennant Hills and UNSW-ES, are tied on top of the ladder; and they are drawn to play each other in the final round. Before that, Pennant Hills have what promises to be a hard-fought Hills derby clash against East Coast coming up next weekend. East Coast and St George are just one game behind the leading 2 teams - and if East Coast can upset Pennant Hills this weekend and Pennant Hills bounce back against UNSW-ES in the last round, it's possible we could have 4 teams separated only by percentage after the home & away season.
The battle for 5th place is also up for grabs. Only percentage separates Sydney Uni and North Shore, and they are also drawn to play each other in the final round in what shapes as virtually an extra elimination final. But if Sydney Uni can defeat St George this week and North Shore go down to Wollongong, the Students can wrap up a finals berth this week.
The remaining matches for the teams still in contention are (black = finallist, blue = contender, red = non-finallist) :
Pennant Hills (52 pts, 179.73%) - East Coast (Ern Holmes), UNSW-ES (Village Green)
UNSW-ES (52 pts, 138.21%) - Campbelltown (Monarch), Pennant Hills (Village Green)
East Coast (48 pts, 162.41%) - Pennant Hills (Ern Holmes), Wests (Charles McLaughlin)
St George (48 pts, 120.95%) - Sydney Uni (Olds), Balmain (Drummoyne)
Sydney Uni (32 pts, 105.54%) - St George (Olds), North Shore (Gore Hill)
North Shore (32 pts, 86.92%) - Wollongong (Gore Hill), Sydney Uni (Gore Hill)
NEXT WEEK'S FIXTURES (Lurker's Kiss of Death in bold)
Saturday 16th August (Seniors 2:10pm, Reserves 12pm)
Olds Park - St George v Sydney University (Sen 1:40, Res 11:30)
Gore Hill Oval - North Shore v Wollongong
Monarch Oval - Campbelltown v UNSW-ES
Picken Oval - Western Suburbs v Balmain
Sunday 17th August (Seniors 2:10pm, Reserves 12pm)
Ern Holmes Oval - Pennant Hills v East Coast Eagles
First Division
Saturday 16th August (Seniors 2:10pm, Reserves 12pm)
Fairfax Reserve - Camden v NorWest Jets
Greygums Oval - Penrith v Southern Sharks
University Oval - Macquarie Uni v Holroyd-Parramatta
Weldon Oval - Manly-Warringah v UTS
Second Division
Saturday 16th August
St Pauls Oval - Sydney Uni Blue v Pennant Hills (10am)
University Oval - Macquarie Uni v Holroyd-Parramatta (10:15am)
Weldon Oval - Manly-Warringah v UTS (10:15am)
St Pauls Oval - Sydney Uni Red v UNSW-ES Whales (12pm)
Rosedale Oval - Moorebank Sports v UNSW-ES Bulldogs (2pm)
Under 18s Premier
Saturday 16th August
Olds Park - St George v North Shore Bears (9:30am)
Gore Hill Oval - North Shore Bombers v Wollongong (10am)
Monarch Oval - Campbelltown v St Ignatius Riverview (10am)
Sunday 17th August
Ern Holmes Oval - Pennant Hills v East Coast Eagles (10am)
Western Suburbs has the bye.
Under 18s Challenge
Saturday 16th August
University Oval - Macquarie Uni v Pennant Hills (8:15am)
Weldon Oval - Manly-Warringah v East Coast Eagles (8:15am)
Greygums Oval - Penrith v Southern Sharks (10am)
Rosedale Oval - Moorebank Sports v UNSW-ES (12pm)
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