SYDNEY AFL CATCH-UP ROUND (13a) 2013
Article by Michael Shillito

A weekend was put into the fixtures to catch up on games lost due to wet weather ground closures; and it turned out that four Premier Division games had to be postponed. One from round 8 and three from round 11. These games were played on Saturday afternoon, and we now have a five-way tie for top spot.

Manly, in their first season in Premier Division, went straight to top spot in the first week and had stayed there ever since. The Wolves started the season with a nine-game winning streak, establishing a handy breakaway; but two losses in the next three games saw the chasing peloton of four teams get to within striking distance. And on Saturday, the Wolves travelled to the Village Green to take on one of the chasing teams, UNSW-ES.
The Bulldogs, defending champions, had lost a few games earlier in the season, but a four-game winning streak saw them sitting just a game behind the Wolves; and Saturday?s clash gave them a chance to catch up.

Other than a brief shower that blew through at lunchtime, Saturday was mainly fine and sunny, but a blustery wind at times made controlling the ball difficult. But at the Village Green, it was the Wolves who made the early front-running.
A quick start to the competition newcomers had the Bulldogs on the back foot early, as the Wolves showed themselves to be undaunted by their visit to the home of the defending champions. Three goals to one in the opening quarter gave the Wolves a 13-point lead at quarter time. And a scrappy second term saw the Wolves score one goal while holding the Bulldogs scoreless, opening a 16-point lead at half time.
It hadn?t been a great first half for the Bulldogs, but they came out to play the premiership quarter with a resolve that wasn?t there before the break. And it didn?t take long for the tide to turn, and the Bulldogs wasted little time in wiping off the deficit. Bulldog players who were barely sighted in the first half began to wield a greater influence as UNSW-ES scored five unanswered goals for the quarter, turning the deficit into an 11-point lead.
The Wolves still had hopes of regaining the lead during the last term, but momentum had turned against them and the Bulldogs would go on with the job in the last quarter. It wasn?t all one-way traffic, but with three goals to two the Bulldogs had the answers to snuff out any challenge the Wolves would hope to throw up.
In the end, the Bulldogs had won by 21 points, drawing level with the Wolves with ten wins from 13 games. Playing coach Rhys McAllister was best on ground, while James Pascoe and Peter Kefalas were also prominent around the ground. For the Wolves, Anthony Robertson, Angus Buncle and Harrison Koch were their best.

Pennant Hills have been the form team in the competition in recent times, and they would maintain that title at Monarch Oval as they won their eighth game on the trot. But they were made to fight all the way to take the win, as the Demons were pushed hard by Campbelltown.
The first quarter showed few signs that the game would be a thriller. The Demons got the early jump and everything appeared to be heading toward a continuation of the Pennant Hills? winning streak as they scored six goals to two in the opening quarter, leading by 25 points at quarter time.
But the Campbelltown side of recent weeks is a vastly improved side. They went into this game on the back of a three-game winning streak, claiming some handy scalps along the way. And where in previous seasons the score would have likely blown out into a huge final margin, this time the Blues worked hard in the second term to force their way back into the contest. The free flow of possession that the Demons enjoyed in the opening term was cut off, as the Blues contested the ball and pumped it to their forward line. And with a run of four goals to one to the Blues in the second term, the margin was cut to six points at the long break.
The Demons won the third quarter, three goals to two, leading by nine points at the last change. But it was far from decisive, as the Blues showed plenty of determination and placed the Demons under relentless pressure. And the Blues continued to fight in the last quarter, getting the margin back to within a kick.
But they were never able to take the lead, as the Demons hung on for dear life until the final siren sounded. A five-point win broke Campbelltown hearts, ending any mathematical finals hopes; but they had displayed plenty of determination and given it their all. And the Demons had done enough to take the points, and their share of the competition lead.
Matt Thomas, Damian Dell?Aquila and Ranga Ediriwickrama had been best for the Demons, while the Blues had received solid service from Penisimeni Mahina, Paul Green and Cameron Desmond.

St George have also been in outstanding form in recent times, and went into their game against UTS at Olds Park on the back of a five-game winning streak. And the Dragons would make it consecutive win number six, doing it comfortably with a 77-point win to end the Bats? finals ambitions.
From the start, the Dragons were in complete control. The Dragons shut down the UTS machine from the outset. The Bats were unable to score in the first term, barely getting the ball inside the 50 metre line. At the other end, the Dragons kicked five goals, leading by 36 points at the first change. And they would continue to dominate in the second term to lead by 48 points at half time.
The battle for percentage is extremely tight, and the Dragons knew they had to keep going in the third term to maintain their ladder position. A run of six goals to two in the third term opened the margin out to 69 points at three quarter time. By then the sting had largely gone out of the contest, and both sides were happy to play out time in the final term.
Blake Guthrie, Dominic Killworth and Alex Wynn were best for the Dragons. For the Bats, Joel Minichiello, Justin Kenna and Will Chambers made important contributions. The win for St George keeps them in the five-way tie for the ladder leadership. But it was another disappointing afternoon for the Bats, their fifth straight loss. A season that promised much for the Bats has delivered little; and this result ends their chances of qualifying for the finals.

North Shore took their share of the ladder leadership when they defeated Illawarra at Gore Hill, in a result that was comfortable enough but far from the percentage-booster the Bombers would have been hoping for against the winless Lions.
The Bombers raced out of the starting blocks in the opening term, with a run of five goals to one, opening up a lead of 28 points at the first change. From there, the result was never in doubt; but the game was rather scrappy over the final three quarters.
Two goals to one in the second term saw the Bombers extend their lead to 32 points at the long break; and North Shore would kick the only three goals in the third quarter to extend the lead to 50 points at the last change.
The Lions, yet to record their first win for the season, had only kicked two goals by three quarter time. They would double that during the final quarter, winning the last term; but the Bombers had done enough to take a 47-point win. But after a strong first term, it was far from a convincing display. With the Bombers having the worst percentage of the five top teams, it was an opportunity lost to boost their percentage, and could potentially cost them dearly when final ladder positions are determined.
Evan Davis kicked four goals for the Bombers; and along with Jack Davis and Charlie Callander was among the Bombers? best. For the Lions, Harry Dobson, Jacob Brookfield and Erin Franklin toiled tirelessly through another tough day.

So with five rounds remaining, we have five teams level on points at the top of the ladder. Pennant Hills have a handy lead with by far the best percentage of those teams, but the battle between the next four teams is extremely tight. Just ten percentage points, about eight goals, separates second from fifth. Every game that any of these teams plays, and every goal scored or prevented, is critical. And of course every game where any of those five teams play each other could well be pivotal to how the finals shape up ? and next week, UNSW-ES take on St George.
There?s a three-game break between fifth and sixth. It?s still mathematically possible for Wests and Sydney Uni to make the finals, but they?d need to win all five of their remaining games and hope that one of the top five teams loses at least three of their games by big enough margins to overcome the percentage gap.


Uni NSW-Eastern Suburbs 1.0 1.5 6.6 9.10 (64)
Manly-Warringah 3.1 4.3 4.7 6.9 (45)
Goals : UNSW-ES ? H Mason 3, B Way 2, M Collett, J Kiel, A Foote, J Robbie. Manly ? G Benbow 2, A Robertson, R Wearne, T Armitage, J Hunter.
Best : UNSW-ES ? R McAlister, J Pascoe, P Kefalas, A Gulden, M Collett, M Somes. Manly ? A Robertson, A Buncle, H Koch, R Wearne, T Thurgarland, R Hart.
Umpires ? J Cristiani, J Stokes, C Fletcher.
At Village Green, Saturday 20th July 2013.

Pennant Hills 6.4 7.7 10.8 11.10 (76)
Campbelltown 2.3 6.7 8.11 10.11 (71)
Goals : Pennant Hills ? L Bilbe 3, R Ediriwickrama 2, A Crisfield 2, S Hodges, D Dell?Aquila, T Widmer. Campbelltown ? M Edwins 3, D Linsen 2, M Withers 2, H Sherwood 2, J Van Leunen.
Best : Pennant Hills ? M Thomas, D Dell?Aquila, R Ediriwickrama, B Urwin, P Barnes, J Hare. Campbelltown ? P Mahina, P Green, C Desmond, J Bottin-Noonan, H Sherwood, D Linsen.
Umpires ? B Dean, L Jobson, D Garroway.
At Monarch Oval, Saturday 20th July 2013.

St George 5.6 8.8 14.10 16.14 (110)
University of Technology 0.0 1.2 3.7 4.9 (33)
Goals : St George - N Ryan 3, A Wynn 3, D Lycakis 2, J Saddington 2, P Sain 2, N Kenny, M Graham, J West, S Wilsen. UTS - S Tregoning, A Davis, R Scarce, T Nixon.
Best : St George - B Guthrie, D Killworth, A Wynn, B Jones, J West, D Lycakis. UTS - J Minichiello, J Kenna, W Chambers, A Porter, M Hall, D Batten.
Umpires - F Kalayzich, P Barron, A Rutherford.
At Olds Park, Saturday 20th July 2013.

North Shore 5.4 7.5 10.7 11.8 (74)
Illawarra 1.0 2.3 2.5 4.5 (29)
Goals : North Shore ? E Davis 4, S Mason 2, J Gray, R Wason, J Watters, Z Manley, D Martin. Illawarra ? J Hogarth, H Dobson, K Ewen-Chappell, D Jefferis.
Best : North Shore ? J Davis, E Davis, C Callander, S Carruthers, D Fitzgerald, J Gray. Illawarra ? H Dobson, J Brookfield, E Franklin, T Green, W Cook, J Nugent.
Umpires ? L Hall, W Macarthur, A Kittel.
At Gore Hill Oval, Saturday 20th July 2013.

 Play
Won
Draw
Lost
For
Agnst
Pts
%age
Strk
Pennant Hills
13
10
0
3
1,431
789
40
181.37
W8
Manly
13
10
0
3
1,107
697
40
158.82
L1
UNSW-ES
13
10
0
3
1,216
778
40
156.30
W5
St George
13
10
0
3
1,195
770
40
155.19
W6
North Shore
13
10
0
3
1,201
811
40
148.09
W2
Western Suburbs
13
7
0
6
1,194
962
28
124.12
L2
Sydney Uni
13
7
0
6
1,016
1,058
28
96.03
L1
Campbelltown
13
5
0
8
987
928
20
106.36
L1
UTS
13
5
0
8
884
1,166
20
75.81
L5
Balmain
13
3
0
10
827
1,457
12
56.76
L1
Sydney Hills
13
1
0
12
718
1,574
4
45.62
L3
Illawara
13
0
0
13
655
1,441
0
45.45
L13

Black - Confirmed finallists
Green - Currently in a finals position, but not yet guaranteed a place in the finals
Blue - Not currently in a finals position, but still a chance to qualify
Purple - Will not be competing in the finals
Red - Wooden spoon, probable relegation


Division One:
UTS 9.6 (60) d Macquarie Uni 6.5 (41)
Holroyd-Parramatta 23.12 (150) d North Shore 1.7 (13)
St George 9.10 (64) d Sydney Hills 7.8 (50)
UNSW-ES 13.6 (84) d Penrith 11.5 (71)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? Southern Power (83.33, 186.86%), Holroyd-Parramatta (69.23, 172.41%), St George (66.67, 93.99%), UTS (63.64, 130.39%), UNSW-ES (61.54, 120.02%), Penrith (53.85, 144.11%), Macquarie Uni (50, 121.61%), Pennant Hills (41.67, 80.28%), North Shore (15.38, 58.58%), Sydney Hills (0, 28.90%).

Division Two:
Moorebank 12.15 (86) d UNSW-ES 9.8 (62)
Balmain 14.17 (101) d Auburn 3.6 (24)
Camden 10.7 (67) d Western Suburbs 7.10 (52)
Manly 23.19 (157) d Illawarra 1.2 (8)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? Manly (92.86, 213.62%), Sydney Uni (78.57, 233.58%), Wests (71.43, 168.56%), Moorebank (69.23, 154.80%), Camden (64.29, 132.94%), UNSW-ES (46.15, 122.08%), UTS (46.15, 117.67%), Balmain (14.29, 36.72%), Illawarra (14.29, 34.73%), Auburn (0, 28.51%).

Division Three:
Blacktown 22.15 (147) d Sydney Uni 3.6 (24)
Randwick City 8.15 (63) d Campbelltown 9.6 (60)
Gosford 17.13 (115) d Macquarie Uni 8.9 (57)
Southern Power 7.8 (50) d Western Suburbs 5.7 (37)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? Blacktown (84.62, 370.81%), Gosford (78.57, 153.36%), Randwick City (71.43, 157.36%), Sydney Uni (69.23, 139.80%), NorWest (61.54, 127.00%), Wests (42.86, 113.30%), Penrith (38.46, 83.87%), Southern Power (28.57, 67.30%), Macquarie Uni (28.57, 46.61%), Campbelltown (0, 24.30%).

Division Four:
Manly 14.12 (96) d Macquarie Uni 5.7 (37)
Sydney Hills 11.11 (77) d UNSW-ES 7.2 (44)
Sydney Uni 13.11 (89) d North Shore 4.6 (30)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? Moorebank (88.46, 175.08%), Pennant Hills (75, 112.19%), Sydney Uni (71.43, 188.18%), UTS (69.23, 175.52%), UNSW-ES (50, 131.44%), Holroyd-Parramatta (50, 130.97%), Sydney Hills (50, 91.02%), Manly (30.77, 89.55%), North Shore (14.29, 34.48%), Macquarie Uni (0, 26.98%).

Division Five:
Blacktown 10.13 (73) d Sydney Uni 6.5 (41)
Moorebank 13.8 (86) d Penrith 12.2 (74)
UTS 4.14 (38) d Southern Power 3.8 (26)
UNSW-ES 12.11 (83) d Holroyd-Parramatta 8.11 (59)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? Camden (91.67, 320.47%), Randwick City (91.67, 250.00%), UTS (76.92, 136.38%), Sydney Uni (54.55, 113.08%), UNSW-ES (38.46, 80.29%), Penrith (38.46, 75.50%), Holroyd-Parramatta (38.46, 65.75%), Southern Power (30.77, 80.87%), Blacktown (27.27, 80.32%), Moorebank (15.38, 31.93%).

Under 18s One:
Western Suburbs 10.7 (67) d Macarthur Giants 4.7 (31)
Pennant Hills 9.11 (59) d Sydney Hills 5.6 (36)
Sydney Uni 15.7 (97) d St Ignatius Riverview 8.7 (55)
North Shore 12.14 (86) d Southern Power 2.4 (16)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? Pennant Hills (92.31, 224.90%), UNSW-ES (83.33, 190.10%), St George (81.82, 178.16%), Sydney Uni (76.92, 161.26%), Illawarra (66.67, 227.47%), North Shore (45.45, 140.70%), Sydney Hills (41.67, 105.31%), Riverview (33.33, 71.73%), Wests (23.08, 43.18%), Southern Power (15.38, 38.71%), Macarthur (0, 19.63%).

Women Division One:
Sydney Uni 10.15 (75) d UNSW-ES 1.0 (6)
Western Wolves 5.6 (36) d Balmain 3.4 (22)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? Sydney Uni (80, 507.32%), UNSW-ES (80, 154.57%), Balmain (70, 285.65%), Western Wolves (50, 95.24%), Newtown (10, 29.90%), Wollongong (10, 28.03%).

Women Division Two:
Southern Power 8.12 (60) d UTS 1.0 (6)
Penrith 6.5 (41) d Auburn 4.3 (27)
Macquarie Uni 14.20 (104) d Randwick City 0.0 (0)
Ladder ? Macquarie Uni (100, 3002.33%), Southern Power (81.82, 324.75%), Penrith (58.33, 77.06%), UTS (41.67, 42.35%), Auburn (9.09, 27.42%), Randwick City (8.33, 19.72%).


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

Premier Division:
Saturday 27th July
Mike Kenny Oval ? Pennant Hills v Balmain (2:10pm)
Monarch Oval ? Campbelltown v Western Suburbs (2:10pm)
Sydney Uni No 1 Oval ? Sydney Uni v Sydney Hills (2:10pm)
Waverley Oval ? UTS v North Shore (2:10pm)
Weldon Oval ? Manly v Illawarra (2:10pm)
Village Green ? UNSW-ES v St George (2:30pm)

Division One:
Saturday 27th July
Waverley Oval ? UTS v North Shore (12pm)
Village Green ? UNSW-ES v St George (12:30pm)
Bruce Purser Reserve ? Sydney Hills v Pennant Hills (2:10pm)
Gipps Rd Oval ? Holroyd-Parramatta v Macquarie Uni (2:30pm)
Greygums Oval ? Penrith v Southern Power (2:30pm)

Division Two:
Saturday 27th July
Weldon Oval ? Manly v Auburn (12pm)
Mahoney Park ? Sydney Uni v Moorebank (2:10pm)
North Dalton Oval ? Illawarra v Balmain (2:10pm)
Trumper Park ? UTS v Camden (2:10pm)
Sunday 28th July
Village Green ? UNSW-ES v Western Suburbs (2:10pm)

Division Three:
Saturday 27th July
Greygums Oval ? Penrith v NorWest (10:30am)
Mahoney Park ? Sydney Uni v Macquarie Uni (12pm)
Monarch Oval ? Campbelltown v Western Suburbs (12pm)
Pioneers Park ? Randwick City v Gosford (2:10pm)
Sunday 28th July
Blacktown ISP No 2 ? Blacktown v Southern Power (2:10pm)

Division Four:
Saturday 27th July
Waverley Oval ? UTS v North Shore (10am)
Weldon Oval ? Manly v Macquarie Uni (10am)
Gipps Rd Oval ? Holroyd-Parramatta v Sydney Uni (10:30am)
Bruce Purser Reserve ? Sydney Hills v Pennant Hills (12pm)
Sunday 28th July
Village Green ? UNSW-ES v Moorebank (12pm)

Division Five:
Saturday 27th July
Gipps Rd Oval ? Holroyd-Parramatta v Sydney Uni (8:30am)
Pioneers Park ? Randwick City v Penrith (12pm)
Trumper Park ? UTS v Camden (12pm)
Sunday 28th July
Village Green ? Moorebank v UNSW-ES (10am)
Blacktown ISP No 2 ? Blacktown v Southern Power (12pm)

Under 18s One:
Saturday 27th July
Bruce Purser Reserve ? Sydney Hills v Illawarra (10am)
Village Green ? UNSW-ES v St George (10:30am)
Mike Kenny Oval ? Pennant Hills v St Ignatius Riverview (12pm)
Picken Oval ? Western Suburbs v North Shore (2:30pm)
Sydney Uni No 1 Oval ? Sydney Uni v Southern Power (4:45pm)
BYE ? Macarthur Giants

Under 18s Two:
Saturday 27th July
Greygums Oval ? Penrith v Moorebank (8:30am)
Gipps Rd Oval ? Holroyd-Parramatta v Macquarie Uni (12:30pm)
Weldon Oval ? Manly v Balmain (4:45pm)

Women Division One:
Saturday 27th July
Village Green ? UNSW-ES v Newtown (8:30am)
North Dalton Oval ? Wollongong v Balmain (12pm)
Sydney Uni No 1 Oval ? Sydney Uni v Western Wolves (12pm)

Women Division Two:
Saturday 27th July
Mona Park ? Auburn v Macquarie Uni (10am)
Pioneers Park ? Randwick City v UTS (10am)
Greygums Oval ? Penrith v Southern Power (12:30pm)