Sydney AFL Week 1 2011

***Norris Lurker*** · 4th April 2011, 12:48 AM

Sydney AFL Round 1 2011

Article and Photos by Michael Shillito

There?s always a sense of excitement and anticipation as a new season comes around. New faces around every club, each keen to impress and be a part of their club?s rise. A long pre-season campaign, trial games, the movement of players and coaches ? and finally it?s time for the real season to start. And it was with a sense of optimism that footy players across Sydney made their way to their round 1 venues, looking forward to seeing how the new season would unfold.

The opening round match of the round was played under lights at Bruce Purser Reserve on Saturday night, with East Coast Eagles taking on Sydney University. The two teams had played an epic Grand Final last September, which was eventually taken out by the Eagles. And Saturday?s season opener would be another epic contest, one of constantly swinging momentum shifts, one which would remain in the balance until the final siren.
The teams had barely completed their warm-ups when the Students were already three goals ahead. Bursting out of the blocks, it had been a flying start for Sydney Uni. But the Eagles were able to stop the Uni charge for the remainder of the quarter, and with two late goals getting back to within a kick at the first change. And it took just 20 seconds into the second term for Damien Charleston to run in to an open goal and level the scores.
There was plenty of passion in this contest, and it was demonstrated with some pushing and shoving in front of the Eagles? bench early in the second term. But on the field, both teams were keen to attack the ball, playing on when possible to keep the ball moving quickly. There were occasions when it came unstuck, but the running game was good to watch.
Straight kicking was the order of the day in the second term, one in which neither side scored a behind. But a run of four goals to the Eagles late in the quarter gave the home side the momentum as they made a breakaway to lead by 18 points at the long break. A sensational set shot from the boundary by Ash Moeller, swinging the ball magnificently in the wind; a soccering effort by Ryan Fitton that would have made Tim Cahill proud; and some great roving by Mark Goodey to shark the crumbs from a marking contest and curl the ball through were among the highlights of the quarter.
The Eagles had finished the second term looking the stronger side. Alex Lee weaved around traffic to score for the Students in the opening minute of the third term, but after a snap from a pack by Stephen Doyle and another goal to Justin Steer after being left unattended in the goal square, the Eagles were 22 points clear and looking well set.

But there were plenty more twists to come in this tale; and it was Sydney Uni?s turn to snatch the momentum. And then the complexion of the game changed, it changed quickly as the Students turned on a devastating 10-minute burst.
Peter Dugmore, representing the Students for the first time after playing for the Eagles last season, dribbled a goal through that only just beat the desperately outstretched arms of the Eagle defenders. Another Sydney Uni debutant, Max Carter, stood up to twice mark and goal. By now the Eagles were struggling to match it with them, a friendly-fire collision between Matt Clinch and Jon Vlatko not helping their cause. A 50 metre penalty gifted Peter Dugmore another goal, and when Sam Crichton finished off a coast-to-coast move with a long bomb, not only were the Students 7 points in front but their supporters in front of the clubhouse were increasingly vocal.
Daniel Spiteri and Stephen O?Connor replied to give the Eagles the lead at the last change, O?Connor looking the worse for wear after his goal and having to be interchanged. But O?Connor would return to action in the last quarter, and to be a hard worker in the hit-outs and around the ground in a best-on-ground performance.
It was a 3-point lead to the Eagles at three-quarter time, but the Students took the initiative early in the last quarter with the first three goals of the quarter. The Eagles got one goal back, and with a kick in it, the pressure was on. The tackling got tighter, players began to man up more. But two Uni behinds stretched the margin to 8 points, and the clock was ticking down.
At 24 minutes, the Eagles were thrown a lifeline when Jamie Vlatko was unable to hold a mark, but after a pack formed around the ball it was fed out to O?Connor who snapped truly. The Eagles got the centre break and quickly moved the ball forward, to a one-out marking contest at the edge of the square. A one-out contest, but Martin Rice outmarked Jamie Vlatko. The siren sounded and the Students had taken a thrilling 2-point victory.

Peter Dugmore scored 5 goals for the Students and Max Carter 4, while Mitchell Thompson, Sam Crichton and Tim Barton were among their best. The Eagles were well served by Trent Baker, Stephen O?Connor and Jackson Dwyer. It had been an exciting contest, of a great standard, and a worthy opening for the new season.

Over the off-season, the club formerly known as Wollongong have changed their name to Illawarra, reflecting the larger reach of their pathway area. The Lions had a tough draw to open their season, travelling to Gore Hill to take on North Shore. The Bombers led throughout the game, but it took them until nearly half time for them to shake off the persistent Lions. But a run of goals late in the second term saw the margin stretch to 37 points at the long break.
By the last change the lead was out to 55 points, but the Lions restored some pride by winning the last quarter to cut the final margin to 42 points. Daniel Roberts, in his first appearance for North Shore in five years, slotted straight back into the lineup as a key forward with a bag of 6 goals; and along with Adrian Harry and ruckman David Martin was among North Shore?s best. For the Lions, Troy Bartlett, Ken Ewen-Chappell and Jimmy Weavers were key contributors.

Wests returned to their spiritual home of Picken Oval after the ground was out of commission last season, but their homecoming party was spoiled by the efforts of a young St George side that looks set for considerable improvement this season. Both sides have new coaches in 2011, with Terry Mudge taking the reins at St George and Peter Free at Wests. But it would be Mudge?s charges who would take the first-up points for the new season.

The first half saw both sides create opportunities, but the Dragons? superior accuracy gave them the edge, and a 31-point half time lead. The Magpies came back strongly in the third term to cut the margin to 11 points at the last change, but the siren stopped their momentum and the Dragons would steady in the last quarter.
Daniel Napper scored five goals for the Dragons, while David Lycakis, Lloyd Perris and Robert Lombardo were among their best. For the Magpies, Jack O?Donoghue, Lynn Roehrig and Ryan Barrett worked hard all day.

After dominating the lower divisions for several years, UTS made their debut appearance in Premier Division when they hosted UNSW-ES at Trumper Park. But it was a tough initiation to the top division for the Bats; as the Bulldogs, far more experienced at this level, took control from the start to record a 57-point win. The Bulldogs got the early break to lead by 31 points at the first change; and although the Bats worked hard in the middle two quarters, they were unable to make any progress in making up the deficit.
The floodgates then opened in the last quarter as the Bulldogs took control, and after a disappointing 2010 season, UNSW-ES will enjoy the morale-boosting effects of a first-up win in 2011. Big-hearted forward Leigh Lavery was hard to stop, with a 6-goal haul; while Peter Kefalas, Nicholas McGann and Ben Woods were also prominent. The Bats will be sure to learn from this experience and bounce back strongly; Michael Atkinson, Tim Wallace and James Curtis handling the step up well to play strong games in their Premier Division debuts.

Looking to turn their fortunes around after several years out of the finals, Balmain Dockers have brought in some new recruits and welcomed back a few old faces in 2011. And the new-look Dockers passed their first test for the new season, when they came from behind to complete a 22-point win over Pennant Hills at Macquarie Uni Oval on Saturday night.
The Demons led by three points at half time, and with four goals to one in the third term led by 21 points at the last change. But the Dockers lifted in the final quarter, a run of 8 goals to 1 seeing them take the lead. David Yoemans, Janis Blums and Jason Coulloupas were prominent contributors for the Dockers, putting their hand up especially in the last quarter when the game was there to be won. For the Demons, Cam Smith, Matt McCamey and Tom Angel worked hard all night.

For the first-up winners, the result will do wonders for their confidence, while the teams who lost in the opening round will know there?s still plenty of time to turn their fortunes around in 2011. And for Campbelltown, who had the bye in the opening round, the feeling of keen anticipation of the season ahead will grow stronger as their first appearance next weekend draws closer.

Sydney University 3.2 5.2 11.6 14.8 (92)
East Coast Eagles 2.2 8.2 12.3 14.6 (90)
Goals : Sydney Uni ? P Dugmore 5, M Carter 4, D Mitchell , M Higgins , A Lee , M Thompson , S Crichton. East Coast - S O'Connor 3, D Spiteri 3, S Doyle 2, R Fitton , A Moeller , D Charleston , M Goodey , J Steer , J Dwyer.
Best : Sydney Uni - M Thompson, S Crichton, T Barton, D Mitchell, S Sloane, A Lee. East Coast - T Baker, S O'Connor, J Dwyer, D Spiteri, J Dimery, R Bilkey.
At Bruce Purser Reserve, Saturday 2nd April 2011.

North Shore 3.7 10.7 15.7 17.7 (109)
Illawarra 3.3 4.5 6.6 9.13 (67)
Goals : North Shore - D Roberts 6, M Trent 3, B Attwood 2, T Strudwick 2, J O'Dell , P Brackin, P Codling , L Clancy. Illawarra - R Price 4, B Patterson 2, R Cutifani , J Weavers , K Ewen-Chappell.
Best : North Shore - A Harry, D Roberts, D Martin, T Strudwick, P Codling, Z Manley. Illawarra - T Bartlett, K Ewen-Chappell, J Weavers, M Thomson, R Price, B Patterson.
At Gore Hill Oval, Saturday 2nd April 2011.

St George 2.1 8.2 10.3 13.6 (84)
Western Suburbs 1.6 2.7 7.10 8.11 (59)
Goals : St George - D Napper 5, L Perris 2, N Ryan 2, J Shineberg , D Donohue , B Addison , B Sharp. Wests - M Eurell 2, B Mumme 2, D Watkins 2, M Lemme , J Zoppo.
Best : St George - D Lycakis, L Perris, R Lombardo, R Bajada, P Sain, L Perris. Wests - J O'Donoghue, L Roehrig, R Barrett, D Cusick, D Lambert, S Lear.
At Picken Oval, Saturday 2nd April 2011.

Uni NSW-Eastern Suburbs 6.2 9.4 13.7 19.9 (123)
Uni of Technology, Sydney 1.1 6.3 8.4 10.6 (66)
Goals : UNSW-ES - L Lavery 6, J Parmenter 3, B Woods 3, P Kefalas 2, B Haberley 2, R Troon , R Pert , A Duthie. UTS - A Davis 3, J Spragg 2, T Wallace 2, S Fitzgerald , S Way , C Tolj.
Best : UNSW-ES - P Kefalas, N McGann, B Woods, L Lavery, T Widmer, M Collett. UTS - M Atkinson, T Wallace, J Curtis, C Tolj, J Spragg, R Hanmore.
At Trumper Park, Saturday 2nd April 2011.

Balmain 2.3 4.5 5.6 13.8 (86)
Pennant Hills 1.3 4.8 8.9 9.10 (64)
Goals : Balmain ? J Saddington 3, N Fosdike 2, T Head , N Todd , J Ryder , D Turner , M Edwins , J Coulloupas , R Bates , A Mitchell. Pennant Hills - K Wright 3, T Angel 2, N Campbell , D Witt , J Gourlay , B Jack.
Best : Balmain - D Yeomans, J Blums, J Coulloupas, N Todd, J Saddington, J Ryder. Pennant Hills - C Smith, M McCamey, T Angel, J Clarke, A Goodall, S Boughton.
At Macquarie University Oval, Saturday 2nd April 2011.

	*Play*	*Won*	*Draw*	*Lost*	*For*	*Agnst*	*Pts*	*%age*	*Strk*
UNSW-ES	1	1	0	0	123	66	100	186.31	W1
North Shore	1	1	0	0	109	67	100	162.69	W1
St George	1	1	0	0	84	59	100	142.37	W1
Balmain	1	1	0	0	86	64	100	134.38	W1
Sydney Uni	1	1	0	0	92	90	100	102.22	W1
East Coast	1	0	0	1	90	92	0	97.83	L1
Pennant Hills	1	0	0	1	64	86	0	74.42	L1
Western Suburbs	1	0	0	1	59	84	0	70.24	L1
Illawarra	1	0	0	1	67	109	0	61.47	L1
UTS	1	0	0	1	67	109	0	53.66	L1
Campbelltown	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

First Division:

Southern Power 16.8 (104) d Western Suburbs 6.4 (40)
North Shore 10.11 (71) d Illawarra 9.4 (58)
UTS 13.12 (90) d UNSW-ES 5.2 (32)
East Coast 12.15 (87) d Sydney Uni 3.4 (22)
Macquarie Uni 19.15 (129) d Pennant Hills 4.2 (26)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? Macquarie Uni (100, 496.15%), East Coast (100, 395.45%), UTS (100, 281.45%), Southern Power (100, 260%), North Shore (100, 122.41%), Illawarra (0, 81.69%), Western Suburbs (0, 38.46%), UNSW-ES (0, 35.56%), Sydney Uni (0, 25.29%), Pennant Hills (0, 20.16%), Manly-Warringah (bye).

Second Division:
Sydney Uni 12.14 (86) d NorWest 10.2 (62)
Auburn 9.6 (60) d St George 7.4 (46)
Penrith 12.10 (82) d Moorebank 2.3 (15)
Balmain 10.4 (64) d Holroyd-Parramatta 7.14 (56)
Manly-Warringah 12.6 (78) d Camden 7.6 (48)
Ladder ? Penrith (4, 546.67%), Manly-Warringah (4, 162.5%), Sydney Uni (4, 138.71%), Auburn (4, 130.43%), Balmain (4, 114.29%), Holroyd-Parramatta (0, 87.50%), St George (0, 76.67%), NorWest (0, 72.09%), Camden (0, 61.54%), Moorebank (0, 18.29%).

Third Division:
Southern Power 11.11 (77) d Western Suburbs 6.6 (42)
UNSW-ES 12.10 (82) d UTS 7.5 (47)
Sydney Uni 10.8 (68) d East Coast 9.11 (65)
Saints AFC 18.12 (120) d North Shore 0.6 (6)
Campbelltown 6.17 (53) d Macquarie Uni 6.7 (43)
Ladder ? Saints AFC (4, 2000%), Southern Power (4, 183.33%), UNSW-ES (4, 174.47%), Campbelltown (4, 123.26%), Sydney Uni (4, 104.62%), East Coast (0, 95.59%), Macquarie Uni (0, 81.16%), UTS (0, 57.32%), Western Suburbs (0, 54.55%), North Shore (0, 5%).

Fourth Division:
UNSW-ES 10.12 (72) d NorWest 8.10 (58)
Manly-Warringah 7.25 (67) d Auburn 0.6 (6)
Penrith 8.4 (52) d Moorebank 7.5 (47)
Macquarie Uni 11.13 (79) d Holroyd-Parramatta 7.6 (48)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? Manly-Warringah (100, 1116.67%), Macquarie Uni (100, 164.58%), UNSW-ES (100, 124.14%), Penrith (100, 110.64%), Moorebank (0, 90.38%), NorWest (0, 80.56%), Holroyd-Parramatta (0, 60.76%), Auburn (0, 8.96%), UTS (bye).

Fifth Division:
Saints AFC 15.13 (103) d Holroyd-Parramatta 5.6 (36)
Manly-Warringah 13.8 (86) d Camden 7.6 (48)
Macquarie Uni 7.16 (58) d Moorebank 6.11 (47)
Southern Power 12.14 (86) d Sydney Uni 9.6 (60)
Ladder ? Saints AFC (4, 286.11%), Manly-Warringah (4, 179.17%), Southern Power (4, 143.33%), Macquarie Uni (4, 123.40%), Moorebank (0, 81.03%), Sydney Uni (0, 69.77%), Camden (0, 55.81%), Holroyd-Parramatta (0, 34.95%).

Under 18s Premier:
North Shore 19.20 (134) d Illawarra 5.4 (34)
St Ignatius Riverview 12.6 (78) d UNSW-ES 10.4 (64)
East Coast 14.12 (96) d Sydney Uni 5.5 (35)
St George 8.10 (58) d Western Suburbs 12.4 (76)
Pennant Hills 11.9 (75) d Penrith 6.6 (42)
Ladder ? North Shore (4, 392.12%), East Coast (4, 274.29%), Pennant Hills (4, 178.57%), Western Suburbs (4, 131.03%), St Ignatius Riverview (4, 121.88%), UNSW-ES (0, 82.05%), St George (0, 76.32%), Penrith (0, 56%), Sydney Uni (0, 36.46%), Illawarra (0, 25.37%).

Under 18s Challenge:
Manly-Warringah 10.8 (68) d Holroyd-Parramatta 6.10 (46)
East Coast 10.22 (82) d Moorebank 9.8 (62)
Mac Uni Warriors 14.12 (96) d Mac Uni Kookas 6.7 (43)
Southern Power 11.10 (86) d Balmain 8.10 (58)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? Mac Uni Warriors (100, 223.26%), Manly-Warringah (100, 147.83%), East Coast (100, 132.26%), Southern Power (100, 131.03%), Balmain (0, 76.32%), Moorebank (0, 75.61%), Holroyd-Parramatta (0, 67.65%), Mac Uni Kookas (0, 44.79%), Campbelltown (bye).

NEXT WEEK?S FIXTURES (Lurker?s Kiss of Death in bold)

Premier Division:
Friday 8th April
Henson Park ? Balmain v UTS (7pm)
Saturday 9th April
Monarch Oval ? Campbelltown v UNSW-ES (2:10pm)
Olds Park ? St George v East Coast (2:10pm)
Picken Oval ? Western Suburbs v North Shore (2:30pm)
North Dalton Oval ? Illawarra v Pennant Hills (6:10pm)
BYE ? Sydney Uni

First Division:
Saturday 9th April
Picken Oval ? Western Suburbs v North Shore (12:30pm)
Henson Park ? Manly-Warringah v UNSW-ES (2:10pm)
Gwawley Oval ? Southern Power v East Coast (2:30pm)
North Dalton Oval ? Illawarra v Pennant Hills (4pm)
Macquarie University Oval ? Macquarie Uni v UTS (6:30pm)
BYE ? Sydney Uni

Second Division:
Saturday 9th April
Olds Park ? St George v Moorebank (10am)
Henson Park ? Manly-Warringah v Auburn (12pm)
Bensons Lane ? NorWest v Holroyd-Parramatta (2:10pm)
Drummoyne Oval ? Balmain v Camden (2:10pm)
St Pauls Oval ? Sydney Uni v Penrith (2:10pm)

Third Division:
Saturday 9th April
Picken Oval ? Western Suburbs v North Shore (10:30am)
Monarch Oval ? Campbelltown v UNSW-ES (12pm)
St Pauls Oval ? Sydney Uni v Saints AFC (12pm)
Gwawley Oval ? Southern Power v East Coast (12:30pm)
Macquarie University Oval ? Macquarie Uni v UTS (4:30pm)

Fourth Division:
Saturday 9th April
Bensons Lane ? NorWest v Holroyd-Parramatta (12pm)
Mona Park ? Auburn v Moorebank (2pm)
Macquarie University Oval ? Macquarie Uni v UTS (2:30pm)
Sunday 10th April
Dukes Oval ? Penrith v UNSW-ES (12pm)
BYE - Manly-Warringah

Fifth Division:
Saturday 9th April
Gwawley Oval ? Southern Power v Moorebank (8:30am)
Henson Park ? Manly-Warringah v Saints AFC (10am)
St Pauls Oval ? Sydney Uni v Camden (10am)
Macquarie University Oval ? Macquarie Uni v Holroyd-Parramatta (12:30pm)

Under 18s Premier:
Saturday 9th April
Picken Oval ? Western Suburbs v UNSW-ES (8:30am)
Riverview First Oval ? St Ignatius Riverview v Sydney Uni (10am)
Olds Park ? St George v East Coast (12pm)
North Dalton Oval ? Illawarra v Pennant Hills (2pm)
Sunday 10th April
Dukes Oval ? Penrith v North Shore (10am)

Under 18s Challenge:
Saturday 9th April
Monarch Oval ? Campbelltown v Moorebank (10am)
Gwawley Oval ? Southern Power v East Coast (10:30am)
Macquarie University Oval ? Mac Uni Kookas v Manly-Warringah (10:30am)
Drummoyne Oval ? Balmain v Mac Uni Warriors (12pm)
BYE ? Holroyd-Parramatta.