SYDNEY AFL ROUND 18 2016
Article by Michael Shillito
Sydney was bathed in glorious Saturday sunshine for the last round of the home and away season.
The teams to contest the finals had already been determined; but this was the last chance for non-finals teams to fly the flag in 2016.
And although it was a long shot, there was the outside chance of North Shore overtaking UTS to move into third place and the double-chance in the finals. For the Bombers to move into third, they needed to beat top East Coast Eagles and depend on UTS going down to Manly.
North Shore�s side of the bargain was at Mortgage Choice Oval. The Bombers had been the only team to beat the Eagles so far in 2016, with a round 3 result at Kanebridge Oval. But for much of the season the Eagles had been a dominant force, easily overcoming most opponents who crossed their path. While the Bombers, although considerably improved over last season, were still well short of the consistency to produce their top performances every week. Last year the same two teams in the last game at Gore Hill saw the Eagles ran a score of well over 200; and although no-one expected the same this time, the Eagles were still hot favourites.
There was nothing in the early exchanges to suggest that this would be anything other than a regulation Eagles win. The Eagles� midfield was on top early, and whenever there was a stoppage and a ball-up on the dusty surface it was the Eagles who would emerge with the ball. The scoreboard was ticking over to reflect the ball spending plenty of time on the Eagles� forward line, four goals to one; the already-confirmed minor premiers leading by 20 points at quarter time.
The Bombers were able to get the ball forward in the second term, but the Eagles had the answers to any goal to home side could conjure up. It was a quarter of footy that contained plenty of entertainment as the Bombers took the fight up to the Eagles, but the answering goals were there every time and they could make no inroads into the deficit. Four goals to three in favour of the Eagles saw a margin of 29 points at the long break.
At half time, the Eagles looked to have the game under control. But when the teams emerged for the second half, suddenly the momentum had changed. The Bombers found a spring in their step and a drive forward. While at the other end, the Eagles were forced into shooting under pressure and failing to hit their targets. The Bombers were piling the pressure on, and the tide was turning. Four unanswered goals cut the margin to eight points at three quarter time and a game that looked dead and buried less than half an hour earlier had suddenly come to life.
The Eagles found a goal in the last quarter, but their inaccurate return of 1.8 in the second half would come back to haunt them as the Bombers kept coming. North Shore players that had barely been sighted in the first half began to exert greater influence as the Eagles had slowed to a walk and the Bombers were reeling them in. The Bombers� third goal of the quarter came in the final minute of the game, a goal which saw the home side take the lead. And, hanging on for dear life in the desperate final seconds, a remarkable come-from-behind victory was achieved.
Selby Lee-Steere, Todd Alexander and Daniel Schacher were best for the Bombers, as they pulled off a boilover that not even the most hardened Bomber optimist could possibly have seen coming at half time. Claiming the scalp of the Eagles twice during the home and away season will give the Bombers an important tactical and psychological edge if they found themselves taking on the Eagles during the finals.
For the Eagles, Andrew Browning, Kieran Emery and Rowan Bilkey played key roles. In the overall scheme of things, the loss won�t hurt the Eagles too much, as the minor premiership was already guaranteed. But with a bye last week and a week off in the first week of the finals, they�ll be going into their first final having not won a game for nearly a month; and with the knowledge they have an opponent in the finals that they�ve twice failed to get over during the regular season.
North Shore�s heroics weren�t enough to get them into the top three. To avoid sudden death in the finals, the Bombers also needed UTS to go down to Manly at Trumper Park. But the Bats did enough to ensure they held on to third spot with a comfortable 62-point victory.
The Bats got off to a flyer, and but for some wayward finishing could have led by more than they did. But the trend in general play was clear, as the Bats were getting the centre clearances every time and were finding no shortage of loose runners to move the ball forward; were the Giants were left time and again to chase the contest while denied any run of possession. Four goals to one in the first quarter saw the Bats leading by 24 points at quarter time, and already looking in control of the game.
The second quarter followed a similar pattern to the first. It was one-way traffic around the ground, the Bats taking the Giants out of the contest with some strong pressure and forcing the Giants into some appalling errors. It was four goals to two in the second term as the UTS lead was extended to 38 points at half time.
The floodgates opened in the third term, as the Bats were allowed the freedom to attack and drive the ball time and again from the centre to the forward line with a minimum of opposition. The Giants tried to counter-punch, and did get two goals back against the run of play; but for much of the quarter it was the Bats keeping the ball forward and their return of seven goals for the quarter told the tale of their dominant performance. This was a side on their way to the finals, fine-tuning their preparation and looking the goods to compete at the business end of the season. And with a 62-point lead at the last change, it was mission accomplished for the Bats.
Two goals apiece were scored in the final term, a quarter of footy that never reached any great heights. The Bats had achieved what they needed to, while Manly�s season was winding down. The quarter finished as it started, with the Bats 62 points to the good.
David Smith was in good form up forward to finish with four goals, and along with Brad Hunt and Rohan Bates was among the Bats� best. In their sixth season in Premier Division, the Bats will be playing finals for the first time; and their stint in the playoffs will last at least two weeks.
Mitchell Rogers kicked four goals to be Manly�s best, while Lachlan Behagg and Connor Pettersson also worked hard all day. But it wasn�t enough to get anywhere near the win. And for the first time in their four-season history in Premier Division, Manly�s season has come to an end before the finals get under way.
So UTS qualify for the double-chance. Their Qualifying Final opponents will be St George. The Dragons were already assured of second place before the final round, and will be going into the finals with strong form on the board as they extended their winning streak to six games with a comprehensive 71-point win over Wests at Picken Oval.
The Dragons were looking good early, and looked to have the answers to any challenges the Magpies would throw up. The home side attempted to put the pressure on, but didn�t have the firepower to match it with one of the competition�s heavyweights; and the scoreboard showed the situation as the Dragons ran through four goals to two to lead by 14 points at the first change.
It was a similar story in the second term. The Magpies were putting in plenty of effort, but the Dragons would see it off and respond with more, remaining double the Magpies� score throughout the quarter. Three goals to two and a 24-point lead at half time; but the Dragons were looking comfortably in control and in no danger of any shock result.
Despite blowing some shots at goals that should have been kicked during the third term, the Dragons were cruising to a comfortable win. The third term wasn�t one that will go down among the classics of the game, with plenty of turnovers and misdirected kicks causing the frustration to set in. A quarter in which the Dragons added two goals to one saw the lead extend to 33 points at three quarter time; and although the game was safe, it had hardly been a match to inspire.
But in the final quarter, finally the Dragons released the brakes and turned on a more attacking brand of footy. In contrast to the more defensive mindset that had prevailed earlier in the match, the Dragon runners now had the authority to drive the ball directly to the forward line and the Dragon forwards created chance after chance. It was a one-sided display of footy as the scoreboard was ticking over regularly. And although some inaccurate finishing was an obvious flaw, there was little that could be criticised about the Dragons in the final term as they dominated proceedings and prevented the Magpies from making anything more than token moves forward. Six goals to one told the tale as the margin blew out.
In the end, the Dragons took the game by a convincing 81 points. Ben Wharton, NC Shipley and Earl Shaw played prominent roles for the Dragons as they took out another big win, the 13th time they�ve sung the team song this season. In the last three years the Dragons have finished in third place. This year they look to have a team capable of going through to that elusive Grand Final appearance.
Brenton Mumme, Ben Zoppo and Kane Foreman were best for Wests. It�s been a tough season for the Magpies, with just two wins and taking the unwanted wooden spoon. Without the cattle to work with that other clubs have, the Magpies have blooded some young talent this year. And they will be hoping to attract some quality players to Picken Oval to bolster the club�s list for 2017.
Before the last round started, Pennant Hills knew their premiership defence would be playing in sudden-death finals. But the Demons ensured they�ll be going into the finals in winning form when they took out a 71-point win over Sydney Uni at Sydney Uni No 1.
The Demons had lost their past two matches, but showed no sign of any poor form as they blew the Students away in the first quarter to set up a comfortable victory. Four goals to one on the scoreboard, but in reality it was more one-sided than that as the Demons also narrowly missed several shots at goals that could so easily have sailed through. With a 23-point lead at quarter time, the Demons were looking comfortable.
A high-scoring second quarter would follow, both sides prepared to attack and use the small dimensions of the University ground to their advantage. It was a shootout around the ground as both sides put on some attacking footy, and the forwards were putting their hand up to mark and goal with regularity. The Demons would have the edge in the term of attack, with six goals to four; and at half time the lead was out to 38 points.
The Demons were already looking good, and went on with the job in the third quarter. The defence held up, and the Uni scoring chances dried up. At the other end, the scoreboard kept ticking over as the Demons were recording a lopsided inside-50 count, and weight of possession was creating more than enough chances to get a winning score on the board. With a premiership quarter of six goals to one, the Demons got the lead out to 68 points by three quarter time.
The Demons had achieved what they�d set out to do, to get back into winning momentum in time for the finals. The last quarter was largely going through the motions, with both sides scoring two goals; Demon minds already looking ahead to next week�s finals action while the Students were lowering the curtain on their season.
Daniel Preen cleaned up for the Demons, kicking six goals in a best-on-ground performance. Theo Moraitis also played a key role up forward to contribute four goals, while Brandon Clark and Ranga Ediriwickrama were ball magnets around the ground.
Allister Clarke, Luke Vella and Leigh Maples kept putting in for the Students. But things weren�t running their way, and it wasn�t enough to avoid another heavy defeat. After playing finals in the last two seasons, the Students will be disappointed to have won just three games in 2016 and planning for a better 2017 will already be under way.
And as the final sirens sounded around the ground, the home and away season comes to a close. For Manly, Sydney Uni, UNSW-ES and Wests; the season is over.
As minor premiers, East Coast Eagles get next week off.
The first weekend of finals next weekend will feature the four teams that tasted victory in Round 18. Saturday�s Qualifying Final will see St George take on UTS, with the winner being just one game away from the Grand Final. And on Sunday it�s high-stakes sudden-death action as North Shore take on Pennant Hills.
Finals are a whole new ball game. Let the games begin!
North Shore 1.0 4.1 8.4 11.6 (72)
East Coast Eagles 4.2 8.6 8.12 9.14 (68)
Goals : North Shore � D Roberts 3, W Blackburne 2, N Wright 2, H Carr, S Lee-Steere, T Weston, A Baker. East Coast � Not available.
Best : North Shore � S Lee-Steere, T Alexander, D Schacher, T Weston, J Cubis, N Wright. East Coast � A Browning, K Emery, R Bilkey, S Pierce, B Anderson, E Kruger.
At Mortgage Choice Oval, Saturday 20th August 2016.
University of Technology 4.6 8.8 15.9 17.11 (113)
Manly-Warringah 1.0 3.0 5.1 8.3 (51)
Goals : UTS � D Smith 4, D Breese 3, Z Parsons 2, B Nethersole 2, L Betford 2, J Fleming, J Maddox, J Lyons, T Larby. Manly � M Rogers 4, A Pilat 2, A Michael, J Hawkins.
Best : UTS � B Hunt, R Bates, D Smith, J Maddox, J Lyons, T Larby. Manly � M Rogers, L Behagg, C Pettersson, E Kaporis, L Brain, E Burke.
At Trumper Park, Saturday 20th August 2016.
St George 4.2 7.6 9.10 15.18 (108)
Western Suburbs 2.0 4.0 5.1 6.1 (37)
Goals : St George � E Shaw 3, D Donohue 3, B Guthrie 2, J West, N Ryan, J Maldigri, A Wynn, N Shipley, P Sain, N Shaw. Wests � B Mumme 2, B Zoppo 2, C McEvoy-Grey, A Eurell.
Best : St George � B Wharton, N Shipley, E Shaw, J West, B Guthrie, D Napper. Wests � B Mumme, B Zoppo, K Foreman, J Robinson, H Sherwood, J Bradley.
At Picken Oval, Saturday 20th August 2016.
Pennant Hills 4.6 10.9 15.15 17.18 (120)
Sydney University 1.1 5.1 6.1 8.1 (49)
Goals : Pennant Hills � D Preen 6, T Moraitis 4, B Clark 2, T Edmonds, S Wray, R Ediriwickrama, N Hey, T Widmer. Sydney Uni � T Elkington 3, M Vicic 3, L Vella, A Hawtin.
Best : Pennant Hills � D Preen, B Clark, R Ediriwickrama, J Boag, T Edmonds, C Smith. Sydney Uni � A Clarke, L Vella, L Maples, A Sierakowski, T Elkington, M Vicic.
At Sydney Uni No 1 Oval, Saturday 20th August 2016.
Black - Confirmed finallists
Play Won Draw Lost For Agnst Pts %age Strk East Coast 16 14 0 2 1,516 832 87.5 182.21 L1 St George 16 13 0 3 1,583 814 81.25 194.47 W6 UTS 16 11 0 5 1,425 1,219 68.75 116.09 W4 North Shore 16 10 0 6 1,263 1,009 62.5 125.17 W1 Pennant Hills 16 9 0 7 1,183 1,025 56.25 115.41 W1 Manly 16 7 0 9 1,102 1,233 43.75 89.38 L1 Sydney Uni 16 3 0 13 952 1,393 18.75 68.34 L1 UNSW-ES 16 3 0 13 914 1,575 18.75 58.03 L6 Wests 16 2 0 14 846 1,684 12.5 50.24 L3
Purple - Will not be competing in the finals
Red - Wooden spoon, probable relegation
Division One:
Balmain 8.7 (55) d East Coast 6.6 (42)
Sydney Uni 7.16 (58) d Pennant Hills 5.10 (40)
UTS 13.19 (97) d Southern Power 1.6 (12)
Western Magic 11.11 (77) d St George 7.7 (49)
Macquarie Uni 11.7 (73) d Holroyd-Parramatta 11.3 (69)
Ladder (Final) � UTS (60, 178.74%), Macquarie Uni (52, 134.41%), St George (50, 131.50%), Western Magic (44, 144.98%), Holroyd-Parramatta (38, 109.90%), Sydney Uni (38, 106.48%), Pennant Hills (28, 99.72%), Southern Power (26, 65.73%), Balmain (20, 69.03%), East Coast (4, 46.04%).
Division Two:
Qualifying Final
Penrith 2.0 4.1 8.3 11.4 (70)
North Shore 2.1 3.3 4.5 6.6 (42)
Goals : Penrith � P Aumann 3, M Stevens 3, B McGovern 2, J Stevens, M Renehan, M Beasley. North Shore � M Buskariol 3, L Slater, J Saunders, R Joannides.
Best : Penrith � M Payne, T McNamara, B Wilson, L Smith, J Stevens, M Renehan. North Shore � R Joannides, M Marquez, M Buskariol, A Johnson, S Fraser-Krause, X Burton.
At Blacktown ISP, Saturday 20th August 2016.
Elimination Final
South-West Sydney 2.2 6.6 7.9 8.14 (62)
UNSW-ES 2.1 6.2 8.4 9.6 (60)
Goals : SWS � S Wicken 3, R Horton 2, B Wright, R Forrester, M Burton. UNSW-ES � M Woods 3, R Farrelly 3, N McGann 2, H Sleigh.
Best : SWS � D Balderston, S Wicken, B Wicken, R Horton, A Findlay, A Simpson. UNSW-ES � R Farrelly, P Sayakhot, N McGann, O Botha, L Woods, Z Meredith.
At Blacktown ISP, Sunday 21st August 2016.
Division Three:
Qualifying Final
Wollondilly 2.2 3.6 6.6 8.7 (55)
NorWest 2.1 2.3 4.3 4.5 (29)
Goals : Wollondilly � J Haddock 4, C Wolfe 2, S Paget 2. NorWest � E Coombs, B Johnston, T Clent, A Sharvell.
Best : Wollondilly � B Martin, R Mitchell, J Weston, D Hockey, B Bloore, J Haddock. NorWest � L Veigel, A Bayne, R Johnston, N Steffan, M Crowe, B Johnston.
At Blacktown ISP, Saturday 20th August 2016.
Elimination Final
Campbelltown 5.4 8.6 13.7 16.8 (104)
Penrith 1.1 2.2 5.6 11.7 (73)
Goals : Campbelltown � J Lysaught 3, L Deering 3, K Bradley 3, C Desmond 2, N Wright 2, R Paltridge 2, M Hatton. Penrith � D Nelson 2, T Corless 2, R Ooms 2, E Kirby, P Hartney, L Murphy, J Edwards, J Green.
Best : Campbelltown � D Linsen, J Harris, L Deering, K Chisholm, J Lysaught, M Hatton. Penrith � R Johnson, M Purse, M Todd, C Triffitt, L Murphy, E Kirby.
At Blacktown ISP, Sunday 21st August 2016.
Division Four:
First Semi-Final
UTS 2.2 3.2 6.7 8.12 (60)
Macquarie Uni 1.8 3.10 3.10 5.12 (42)
Goals : UTS � J Hedrick 3, E Taffa 2, D Lazarus, M Hagias, R Simpkin. Macquarie Uni � P Leaney, J Coburn, S Lawrenson, C Farmer, A Vasic.
Best : UTS � Z Thorneycroft, R Simpkin, T Burnet, D Lazarus, P Brown, J Hedrick. Macquarie Uni � J Coburn, J Edmondson, G Nixon, T McMurrich, S Thompson, W Bickersteth.
At Blacktown ISP, Sunday 21st August 2016.
Second Semi-Final
Camden 3.3 5.6 8.7 11.10 (76)
North Shore 0.2 0.3 2.5 3.5 (23)
Goals : Camden � F Brown 3, B McCrossen 3, R Newham 2, C Murray, A Noyce, L Allphon. North Shore � C Mansfield, W Clarke, A Reddie.
Best : Camden � B McCrossen, K Sommerville, J Mullaney, T Georgiou, V Musgrave, B Laid. North Shore � M Bowden, N Harris, H Benyon, J Barclay, M Goode, J Masone.
At Blacktown ISP, Sunday 21st August 2016.
Division Five:
First Semi-Final
Sydney Uni 3.0 7.5 9.9 10.12 (72)
UTS 0.3 0.4 5.4 7.6 (48)
Goals : Sydney Uni � M Begg 2, K Homberg 2, T Edwards, L Taylor, J Boccanfuso, P Vo, S Prendergast, K Matic. UTS � D Casarotto 3, S Maguire 2, L Nevin, K Bocking.
Best : Sydney Uni � T Edwards, M Begg, C Judge, S Prendergast, D Starkey, P Hoey. UTS � J Ellison, J Kaiser, D Ferreira, J Bocking, L Nevin.
At Henson Park, Sunday 21st August 2016.
Second Semi-Final
Pennant Hills 5.3 7.3 8.3 13.6 (84)
UNSW-ES 3.1 7.4 9.6 10.8 (68)
Goals : Pennant Hills � L Nunn 3, E Danilo 2, M Baglin 2, J Myers 2, A Huggins, D Burden, J Stephens, N Baglin. UNSW-ES � T Scheibling 4, M Cullen 2, S Wright 2, J Barrett, J Reid.
Best : Pennant Hills � D Ollington, M de Vries, J McChlery, J Stephens, N Stephens, T Wolnizer. UNSW-ES � T Scheibling, S Wright, M Cullen, J Reid, J Barrett, M English.
Under 19s One:
Sydney Uni 16.16 (112) d East Coast 5.6 (36)
St George 12.13 (85) d South Coast 4.4 (28)
North Shore d Manly � forfeit
Pennant Hills 14.11 (95) d Camden 3.7 (25)
Ladder (Final) � North Shore (60, 348.88%), St George (52, 206.52%), UNSW-ES (40, 112.70%), South Coast (36, 135.78%), Pennant Hills (36, 124.17%), Sydney Uni (32, 99.10%), Camden (12, 47.23%), Manly (12, 32.44%), East Coast (8, 53.22%).
Under 19s Two:
First Semi-Final
West Sydney Magpies 3.1 8.5 11.6 13.9 (87)
North Shore 1.2 3.2 4.3 4.5 (29)
Goals : Magpies � J Masters 3, L Phipps 2, D Thomas 2, J Ryan 2, C Newton, M Lemme, R Harman, J Nieser. North Shore � L Damant-Gallagher 2, T Grove, J Kennedy.
Best : Magpies � M Lemme, C Azzi, D McLeod, R Hartley, A Mamfredas, D Slane. North Shore � E Byrne, T Grove, L Smith, M Drew, G Spanton, H McCutcheon.
At Blacktown ISP, Saturday 20th August 2016.
Second Semi-Final
Western Magic 2.2 5.7 10.12 17.17 (119)
St George 2.1 5.3 6.4 7.4 (46)
Goals : Magic � M Papageorgiou 4, C Moore 3, L Hyland 3, J Morrison 2, M Field 2, N Slan, M Bragg, B White. St George � L Bognar 3, J Round 2, Z Rowlands, L Murray.
Best : Magic � M Bragg, J Morrison, T Morgan, J Baldwin, L Hyland, M Papageorgiou. St George � T Mitchell, J Round, K Ayres, L Parnell, A Fanous, J Lawrence.
At Blacktown ISP, Saturday 20th August 2016.
Women Premier Division:
Power Wolves 11.13 (79) d Auburn 2.0 (12)
Sydney Uni 7.9 (51) d Newtown 3.2 (20)
UNSW-ES 16.6 (102) d Macquarie Uni 1.1 (7)
Ladder (Final) � UNSW-ES (60, 426.55%), Sydney Uni (56, 371.32%), Newtown (40, 178.34%), Power Wolves (16, 49.95%), Macquarie Uni (16, 36.44%), Auburn (4, 17.41%).
Women Division One:
First Semi-Final
Western Magic 5.4 8.5 8.6 12.9 (81)
Penrith 1.0 5.0 5.4 6.7 (43)
Goals : Magic � L Moore 2, G Willmot 2, S Freeman 2, M Freeman, M Young, A Millett, D Dimond, C Corr, K O�Hagan. Penrith � I Olchowik 2, J Burnham 2, K Easthope, N Camilleri.
Best : Magic � C Corr, R Leard, J Mann, S Luczak, S Poole, G Willmot. Penrith � N Camilleri, G White, R Boyes, N Perrett, K Navarro, N McNeill.
At Henson Park, Sunday 21st August 2016.
Second Semi-Final
UTS 2.3 3.5 3.6 9.9 (63)
Wollongong 1.1 1.1 1.5 1.5 (11)
Goals : UTS � G Behan 4, C McCutcheon 3, C Breen 2. Wollongong � L Russell.
Best : UTS � C McCutcheon, C Breen, L Hilmi, T McDonough, N Hainsworth, K Vallance. Wollongong � K Chan, A Smith, K Chan, L Kidd, K Gow, J Stanton.
At Henson Park, Saturday 21st August 2016.
NEXT WEEK�S MATCHES
Premier Division:
Qualifying Final � Saturday 27th August
Blacktown ISP � St George v UTS (1:30pm)
Elimination Final � Sunday 28th August
Blacktown ISP � North Shore v Pennant Hills (3:30pm)
Division One:
Qualifying Final � Saturday 27th August
Blacktown ISP � Macquarie Uni v St George (4pm)
Elimination Final � Sunday 28th August
Blacktown ISP � Western Magic v Holroyd-Parramatta (1:10pm)
Division Two:
First Semi-Final � Saturday 27th August
Kanebridge Oval � North Shore v South-West Sydney (2:20pm)
Second Semi-Final � Sunday 28th August
Henson Park � Camden v Penrith (3:15pm)
Division Three:
First Semi-Final � Saturday 27th August
Kanebridge Oval � NorWest v Campbelltown (12:10pm)
Second Semi-Final � Sunday 28th August
Henson Park � Pennant Hills v Wollondilly (1:10pm)
Division Four:
Preliminary Final � Sunday 28th August
Henson Park � North Shore v UTS (11:05am)
Division Five:
Preliminary Final � Sunday 28th August
Henson Park � UNSW-ES v Sydney Uni (5:20pm)
Under 19s One:
Qualifying Final � Saturday 27th August
Blacktown ISP � St George v UNSW-ES (11:10am)
Elimination Final � Sunday 28th August
Blacktown ISP � South Coast v Pennant Hills (11:05am)
Under 19s Two:
Preliminary Final � Saturday 27th August
Kanebridge Oval � St George v West Sydney Magpies (10am)
Women Premier Division:
First Semi-Final � Saturday 27th August
Blacktown ISP � Newtown v Power Wolves (9am)
Second Semi-Final � Sunday 28th August
Blacktown ISP � UNSW-ES v Sydney Uni (9am)
Women Division One:
Preliminary Final � Sunday 28th August
Henson Park � Wollongong v Western Magic (9am)
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