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SYDNEY AFL ROUND 8 2012 
Article and Photos by Michael Shillito
We?re at round 8, less than half way through this season. But already we?ve come to a point where it appears only six teams are in the running for this year?s finals. With a final five, there?s still plenty of drama to be played out; but from here it would take something remarkable for any of the bottom five teams to get back into the finals race.
Last year?s Grand Final saw East Coast Eagles get the jump on Balmain, and after a devastating first quarter, the premiership was on its way to Bruce Purser for the third year in a row. But a change of name and a NEAFL license meant that the Sydney Hills Eagles side that ran onto Henson Park for a re-match with the Dockers bore little resemblance to the side that lifted the trophy at the end of last season.
This time round, it was Balmain who got the better of the start. After an early behind, Ben Taggart forced a turnover from the kick-in, and with Shelby Lee-Steere drawing two defenders, the ball cleared the three-man contest for Sean Bowen to run uncontested into an open goal. Jackson Dwyer played on to get the goal back for the Eagles; but the Dockers began to get the ball onto their forward line with more regularity.
On the forward line, Shelby Lee-Steere was looking dangerous, twice leading out to mark and goal; and even when he was unable to hold his marks, the likes of Leigh Conway were there to mop up the ball and snap the goals.
Five goals to one for the quarter saw the Dockers leading by 27 points. And the goals kept coming in the second term, four goals to two extending the lead to 41 points at the long break. But the highlight of the quarter came on the centre wing, with Ben Rogers gathering the ball 20 metres in the clear. But Balmain?s Chris Bolt put in an application to change his name to Usain as he made up the ground to bring Rogers down and force a holding-the-ball decision.
As if Balmain hadn?t been dominant enough in the first half, it was even more one-sided in the second half. From the moment Craig White picked up the ball on centre wing, took three bounces and followed his kick to the forward pocket to pick up the crumbs and snap another Docker goal, the scoreboard blew out.
Clearing the ball from the midfield, and keeping the ball camped on the forward line, the Dockers toyed with the Eagles, with seven goals to one in the third term to see the margin out to 80 points at the last change. And there would be no let-up, as Balmain, already with the best percentage of any club in Premier Division, further added to that advantage with a ten-goal final quarter, their fourth win by over 100 points this season.
The final margin was an imposing 131 points. Shelby Lee-Steere and Leigh Conway contributed four goals apiece, 11 Dockers scoring goals with eight of them multiples. Leigh Conway, Jason Coulloupas and Jerome Farrell were among many outstanding contributors around the ground for the Dockers; while Damon Steer, Aaron Savage and Karl Merson were among the Eagles? best.
For Balmain, nothing will ease the pain of last year?s Grand Final defeat. This win, although barely avenging that, gave them important premiership points in their quest to right that wrong in this year?s finals.
North Shore maintained their grip on a top three berth, while keeping Campbelltown winless, when the Bombers defeated the Blues by 47 points at Monarch Oval on Saturday afternoon. But the Bombers had to absorb a stirring third quarter comeback by the Blues, who put up a fighting effort.
The game had been a defensive struggle in the first half, with a swirling wind making conditions difficult for both teams. The Bombers gradually ground a score together, scoring the only points of the first quarter and keeping the Blues scoreless until the final minute of the half. By then the Bombers had six goals, and led by 36 points at the long break.
But the Blues, showing some fight and spirit, bounced back in the third term, with the first three goals; and heads that had been despondent for so much of the season came to life as the margin was cut back to 15 points, as suddenly the Blues were living in hope.
But the Bombers steadied, with two goals in time on and then another six goals to one to run away to a 47-point result. For the Bombers, Jason Harry, Ron Wason and debutant Matthew Varjavandi were among their best. The Blues were well served by Ben Wharton, Dave Linsen and Paul Green. But although the Bombers enjoyed the win, the Blues showed signs of being competitive against one of the top teams and will take some confidence out of the match.
The wind, a stiff southerly buster, was also influential at North Dalton Oval, as Illawarra played host to Pennant Hills. Kicking with the wind in the first quarter, the Demons burst out of the blocks with five unanswered goals, leading by 35 points at the first change. The Lions? turn with the wind in the second term saw them only able to make up three goals, with the Demons retaining a 15-point advantage at half time.
The wind had eased after half time, and the game tightened up. There were only two goals scored in the third term, but by kicking both of them, the Demons had opened up a 28-point lead; which the Lions looked unlikely to peg back. And so it would be, and to further underline their dominance, the Demons held the Lions goal-less in the final quarter while adding the only three goals to be scored to the southern end.
The final winning margin for the Demons was 46 points. Nick Campbell was an unstoppable force in the Pennant Hills forward line and finished with six goals, and along with Chris Smith and Alex Goodall was named among the Demons? best. Lewis Wilson, Ryan Woodward and Ethan Hailey worked hard all afternoon for the Lions.
With the win, Pennant Hills take a share of the competition lead; but Illawarra?s loss sees them falling well behind the main contenders for the finals, and needing to string some wins together to be a chance of making this year?s playoff action.
Two teams looking for their first win of 2012 played off at Picken Oval when Wests hosted Sydney Uni. And it was the Students who broke their duck, pulling away in the last quarter of a scrappy game to take a 20-point win.
The Students started brightly around the ground, but some wasteful finishing on the forward line would cost them dearly. The Students squandered chance after chance to score 3.11 in the first half, and despite leading by 10 points at quarter time and by 14 at half time, it could have been more.
And during the third quarter, the Students would have cause to rue their inaccuracy as the Magpies lifted their intensity and came bursting back into the contest. It wasn?t always pretty to watch, but the three goals to two return for the quarter saw the margin cut to just five points at the last change, and the contest for the breakthrough win was very much alive. But the break gave the Students a chance to regroup, and the final quarter saw them finally break away with three goals to one to extend the winning margin to 20 points.
For the Students, Alex Hawtin, Dean McKay and Samuel Orton were prominent performers. Stephen Hudson, Lynn Roehrig and Tim Lambert were among the Magpies? best. It was a welcome breakthrough for Sydney Uni; but one that leaves the Magpies having to wait at least one more week before they can sing their song for the first time in 2012.
St George moved into the top five, displacing UTS, when the Dragons defeated the Bats by 30 points at Trumper Park on Saturday afternoon.
It was goal for goal in the first term, with several lead changes and the Bats holding a 4-point lead at quarter time. But the Dragons regained the lead early in the second term and would not relinquish it again, as they kicked four unanswered goals in the second to lead by 18 points at the long break.
On the small Trumper Park surface, there are plenty of goals on offer to a team prepared to attack, and both sides helped themselves to four goals in the third term. But UTS?s attacking efforts had failed to help them overcome the deficit, with the margin at 20 points at the last change. But still they kept coming, in a free-flowing last quarter that saw plenty of goals and plenty of running footy. But for every goal the Bats would score, the Dragons had an answer; and with eight goals to six in the final quarter, the Dragons sealed a 30-point win.
Experienced Dragon Declan Donohue scored four goals in a best-on-ground performance, while Ben Sharp and Mark Graham were also important contributors for the Dragons. For UTS, Ben Moyle, Frank Boland and Andrew Morley were among their best.
UNSW-ES had the bye this week, and have Pennant Hills challenging them for the competition lead; with the Bulldogs and the Demons both on six wins. North Shore, Balmain, St George and UTS are a game behind, with the Bombers having already had both their byes while the Bats are yet to take a week off.
A two-game break separates the top six from Sydney Hills and Illawarra, the Lions are also yet to have a bye.
And below them, Sydney Uni have one win. Wests and Campbelltown are yet to get on the board in 2012, but play each other next week so one of them will finally get to enjoy victory.
Balmain 5.3 9.7 16.10 26.12 (168)
Sydney Hills Eagles 1.1 3.2 4.2 5.7 (37)
Goals : Balmain - S Lee-Steere 4, L Conway 4, K Pearson 3, T Luff 3, B Taggart 3, G Wilkie 2, C White 2, J Monk 2, T Matson, S Bowen, J Cass. Sydney Hills - K Merson 3, J Dwyer, D. Steer.
Best : Balmain - L Conway, J Coulloupas, J Farrell, J Kennedy, C Bolt, G Wilkie. Sydney Hills - D Steer, A Savage, K Merson, D Killworth, S Turner, J Redfern.
At Henson Park, Sunday 27th May 2012.
North Shore 2.4 6.7 8.8 14.11 (95)
Campbelltown 0.0 1.1 4.5 5.8 (38)
Goals : North Shore ? J Davis 3, N Todd 2, T Schmidt 2, C Callender, R Lynch, P Brackin, S Easey, L Pryor, D Fitgerald, M Varjavandi. Campbelltown - T Etto, B Sommerville, B Wharton, M Linsen, D Linsen.
Best : North Shore ? J Harry, R Wason, M Varjavandi, D Fitzgerald, T Schmidt, J Davis. Campbelltown ? B Wharton, D Linsen, P Green, M Linsen, J Hole, M Morey.
At Monarch Oval, Saturday 26th May 2012.
Pennant Hills 5.6 5.8 7.11 10.14 (74)
Illawarra 0.1 3.5 3.7 3.10 (28)
Goals : Pennant Hills ? N Campbell 6, M Carey, K Wright, D Witt, Brandon Jack. Illawarra ? W Edmed 2, L Wilson.
Best : Pennant Hills ? C Smith, N Campbell, A Goodall, Brandon Jack, A Crisfield, S Parker. Illawarra ? L Wilson, R Woodward, E Hailey, J Lewis, W Edmed, R Cutifani.
At North Dalton Oval, Saturday 26th May 2012.
Sydney University 1.6 3.11 5.11 8.16 (64)
Western Suburbs 0.2 2.3 5.6 6.8 (44)
Goals : Sydney Uni ? A Hawtin 2, M Figg 2, A Everett, M Carter, A Crowe, R Kennedy. Wests ? M Eurell 2, S Lear, J Zoppo, J Newbury, T Lambert.
Best : Sydney Uni ? A Hawtin, D McKay, S Orton, P Casey, B Fitzpatrick, R Kennedy. Wests ? S Hudson, L Roehrig, T Lambert, S Aitchinson, R Miller, D Green.
At Picken Oval, Saturday 26th May 2012.
St George 3.4 7.5 11.8 19.8 (122)
University of Technology 4.2 4.5 8.6 14.8 (92)
Goals : St George ? D Donohue 4, L Broome 3, N Ryan 3, D Ryan 2, A Wynn 2, D Napper 2, P Sain 2, B Heeney. UTS ? J Minichiello 2, J Caica 2, J Gardiner 2, B Worrall-Thompson 2, A Morley, B Moyle, S Tregoning, L Flanagan, D Lavender, J Kenna.
Best : St George ? D Donohue, B Sharp, M Graham, L Perris, B Carroll, B Heeney. UTS ? B Moyle, F Boland, A Morley, R Kirkhope, R Hanmore, M King.
At Trumper Park, Saturday 26th May 2012.
Division One:
Holroyd-Parramatta 16.7 (103) d Western Suburbs 9.3 (57)
Southern Power 11.16 (82) d UTS 5.10 (40)
North Shore 13.10 (88) d Macquarie Uni 10.5 (65)
Penrith 9.12 (66) d Sydney Hills 9.6 (60)
Manly-Warringah 25.13 (163) d Pennant Hills 1.1 (7)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? Manly-Warringah (100, 478.79%), Southern Power (85.71, 319.07%), Penrith (71.43, 100.94%), UTS (50, 120.30%), North Shore (50, 94.88%), Holroyd-Parramatta (42.86, 91.30%), Macquarie Uni (42.86, 85.35%), UNSW-ES (42.86, 76.62%), Sydney Hills (28.57, 71.29%), Pennant Hills (28.57, 44.69%), Wests (0, 31.09%).
Division Two:
Illawarra d Auburn ? forfeit
Manly-Warringah 13.8 (86) d Moorebank 5.7 (37)
St George 7.10 (52) d NorWest 6.9 (45)
Sydney Uni 7.10 (52) d UNSW-ES 7.8 (50)
Balmain 10.12 (72) d Camden 9.12 (66)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? UNSW-ES (87.50, 175.48%), Sydney Uni (85.71, 131.78%), Balmain (75, 103.69%), Manly-Warringah (71.43, 172.59%), Moorebank (50, 117.82%), St George (37.5, 97.24%), Camden (37.5, 88.65%), NorWest (37.5, 83.45%), Illawarra (25, 85.69%), Auburn (0, 32.09%).
Division Three:
Sydney Uni 17.19 (121) d Western Suburbs 1.4 (10)
UTS 16.15 (111) d Southern Power 4.6 (30)
Saints AFC 12.18 (90) d Sydney Hills 3.2 (20)
Campbelltown 11.12 (78) d Moorebank 5.5 (35)
Blacktown 16.17 (113) d Macquarie Uni 3.0 (18)
Ladder ? UTS (32, 882.91%), Sydney Uni (28, 267.25%), Blacktown (24, 262.54%), Saints AFC (20, 225.98%), Southern Power (16, 133.82%), Macquarie Uni (12, 65.00%), Sydney Hills (12, 53.78%), Campbelltown (8, 37.05%), Moorebank (4, 26.02%), Wests (4, 21.27%).
Division Four:
UTS 21.13 (139) d Southern Power 2.6 (18)
Penrith 12.26 (98) d NorWest 0.0 (0)
North Shore 13.7 (85) d Macquarie Uni 5.8 (38)
Gosford 22.14 (146) d Holroyd-Parramatta 8.4 (52)
UNSW-ES 12.16 (88) d Manly-Warringah 7.10 (52)
Ladder ? UTS (32, 344.56%), Gosford (28, 287.96%), UNSW-ES (28, 222.17%), Penrith (24, 270.30%), Manly-Warringah (16, 87.00%), NorWest (12, 65.11%), North Shore (12, 57.71%), Macquarie Uni (4, 37.34%), Southern Power (4, 35.91%), Holroyd-Parramatta (0, 28.88%).
Division Five:
UTS 20.17 (137) d Penrith 2.3 (15)
Sydney Uni 14.10 (94) d Moorebank 2.8 (20)
UNSW-ES 16.15 (111) d Macquarie Uni 1.5 (11)
Camden 16.5 (111) d Saints AFC 9.12 (66)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? UTS (93.75, 276.03%), Sydney Uni (85.71, 294.01%), Camden (71.43, 125.85%), UNSW-ES (64.29, 187.14%), Saints AFC (42.86, 120.59%), Moorebank (28.57, 99.64%), Macquarie Uni (28.57, 35.87%), Penrith (14.29, 47.24%), Holroyd-Parramatta (14.29, 23.73%).
Under 18s One:
Sydney Uni 23.12 (150) d Western Suburbs 2.1 (13)
Illawarra 10.11 (71) d Pennant Hills 5.7 (37)
Sydney Hills 30.16 (196) d Penrith 0.0 (0)
St George 11.15 (81) d St Ignatius Riverview 8.3 (51)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? Sydney Hills (100, 344.18%), Illawarra (71.43, 157.07%), Sydney Uni (71.43, 139.27%), Pennant Hills (66.67, 162.42%), UNSW-ES (57.14, 109.77%), North Shore (50, 151.57%), St George (33.33, 85.51%), Riverview (28.57, 106.01%), Wests (16.67, 40.99%), Penrith (0, 10.87%).
Under 18s Two:
Macquarie Uni d Saints AFC ? forfeit
Southern Power 8.8 (56) d NorWest 8.4 (52)
Manly-Warringah 18.16 (124) d Moorebank 3.8 (26)
Balmain 18.22 (130) d Sydney Hills 6.4 (40)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? Southern Power (100, 366.44%), Balmain (83.33, 285.27%), Manly-Warringah (71.43, 160.49%), Moorebank (50, 85.28%), NorWest (42.86, 118.32%), Holroyd-Parramatta (33.33, 68.38%), Macquarie Uni (28.57, 42.86%), Sydney Hills (20, 80.47%), Saints AFC (16.67, 20.43%).
NEXT WEEK?S FIXTURES (Lurker?s Kiss of Death in bold):
Premier Division:
Saturday 2nd June
Kelso Oval ? St George v Pennant Hills (2:10pm)
Monarch Oval ? Campbelltown v Western Suburbs (2:10pm)
Village Green ? UNSW-ES v Illawarra (2:10pm)
Gore Hill Oval ? North Shore v Sydney University (2:30pm)
Bruce Purser Reserve ? Sydney Hills v UTS (7:00pm)
BYE ? Balmain.
Division One:
Saturday 2nd June
Gore Hill Oval ? North Shore v Holroyd-Parramatta (10:30am)
Gwawley Oval ? Southern Power v Pennant Hills (12:30pm)
University Oval ? Macquarie Uni v Western Suburbs (2:10pm)
Bruce Purser Reserve ? Sydney Hills v UTS (4:45pm)
Sunday 3rd June
Village Green ? UNSW-ES v Manly-Warringah (2:10pm)
BYE ? Penrith.
Division Two:
Saturday 2nd June
Kelso Oval ? St George v Auburn (10am)
Village Green ? UNSW-ES v Illawarra (12pm)
Harrington Park ? Camden v NorWest (2:10pm)
St Pauls Oval ? Sydney Uni v Moorebank (2:10pm)
Weldon Oval ? Manly-Warringah v Balmain (4:10pm)
Division Three:
Saturday 2nd June
Gwawley Oval ? Southern Power v Blacktown (10:30am)
Monarch Oval ? Campbelltown v Western Suburbs (12pm)
University Oval ? Macquarie Uni v Sydney Hills (12pm)
Pioneers Park ? Saints AFC v UTS (2:10pm)
Sunday 3rd June
Rosedale Oval ? Moorebank v Sydney Uni (12pm)
Division Four:
Saturday 2nd June
Gore Hill Oval ? North Shore v Holroyd-Parramatta (8:30am)
Weldon Oval ? Manly-Warringah v Macquarie Uni (12pm)
Greygums Oval ? Penrith v UTS (2:10pm)
Gwawley Oval ? Southern Power v NorWest (2:30pm)
Sunday 3rd June
Village Green ? UNSW-ES v Gosford (12pm)
Division Five:
Saturday 2nd June
Greygums Oval ? Penrith v Camden (12pm)
Pioneers Park ? Saints AFC v UNSW-ES (12pm)
St Pauls Oval ? Sydney Uni v Macquarie Uni (12pm)
Gipps Rd Oval ? Holroyd-Parramatta v Moorebank (2:10pm)
BYE ? UTS.
Under 18s One:
Saturday 2nd June
Village Green ? UNSW-ES v Illawarra (10am)
Bruce Purser Reserve ? Sydney Hills v St Ignatius Riverview (11:45am)
Kelso Oval ? St George v Pennant Hills (12pm)
Gore Hill Oval ? North Shore v Sydney Uni (12:30pm)
BYE ? Penrith, Western Suburbs.
Under 18s Two:
Saturday 2nd June
Gwawley Oval ? Southern Power v Saints AFC (8:30am)
Bruce Purser Reserve ? Sydney Hills v NorWest (10am)
Gipps Rd Oval ? Holroyd-Parramatta v Moorebank (12pm)
Weldon Oval ? Manly-Warringah v Balmain (2pm)
BYE ? Macquarie Uni.
Article and Photos by Michael Shillito
We?re at round 8, less than half way through this season. But already we?ve come to a point where it appears only six teams are in the running for this year?s finals. With a final five, there?s still plenty of drama to be played out; but from here it would take something remarkable for any of the bottom five teams to get back into the finals race.
Last year?s Grand Final saw East Coast Eagles get the jump on Balmain, and after a devastating first quarter, the premiership was on its way to Bruce Purser for the third year in a row. But a change of name and a NEAFL license meant that the Sydney Hills Eagles side that ran onto Henson Park for a re-match with the Dockers bore little resemblance to the side that lifted the trophy at the end of last season.
This time round, it was Balmain who got the better of the start. After an early behind, Ben Taggart forced a turnover from the kick-in, and with Shelby Lee-Steere drawing two defenders, the ball cleared the three-man contest for Sean Bowen to run uncontested into an open goal. Jackson Dwyer played on to get the goal back for the Eagles; but the Dockers began to get the ball onto their forward line with more regularity.
On the forward line, Shelby Lee-Steere was looking dangerous, twice leading out to mark and goal; and even when he was unable to hold his marks, the likes of Leigh Conway were there to mop up the ball and snap the goals.
Five goals to one for the quarter saw the Dockers leading by 27 points. And the goals kept coming in the second term, four goals to two extending the lead to 41 points at the long break. But the highlight of the quarter came on the centre wing, with Ben Rogers gathering the ball 20 metres in the clear. But Balmain?s Chris Bolt put in an application to change his name to Usain as he made up the ground to bring Rogers down and force a holding-the-ball decision.
As if Balmain hadn?t been dominant enough in the first half, it was even more one-sided in the second half. From the moment Craig White picked up the ball on centre wing, took three bounces and followed his kick to the forward pocket to pick up the crumbs and snap another Docker goal, the scoreboard blew out.
Clearing the ball from the midfield, and keeping the ball camped on the forward line, the Dockers toyed with the Eagles, with seven goals to one in the third term to see the margin out to 80 points at the last change. And there would be no let-up, as Balmain, already with the best percentage of any club in Premier Division, further added to that advantage with a ten-goal final quarter, their fourth win by over 100 points this season.
The final margin was an imposing 131 points. Shelby Lee-Steere and Leigh Conway contributed four goals apiece, 11 Dockers scoring goals with eight of them multiples. Leigh Conway, Jason Coulloupas and Jerome Farrell were among many outstanding contributors around the ground for the Dockers; while Damon Steer, Aaron Savage and Karl Merson were among the Eagles? best.
For Balmain, nothing will ease the pain of last year?s Grand Final defeat. This win, although barely avenging that, gave them important premiership points in their quest to right that wrong in this year?s finals.
North Shore maintained their grip on a top three berth, while keeping Campbelltown winless, when the Bombers defeated the Blues by 47 points at Monarch Oval on Saturday afternoon. But the Bombers had to absorb a stirring third quarter comeback by the Blues, who put up a fighting effort.
The game had been a defensive struggle in the first half, with a swirling wind making conditions difficult for both teams. The Bombers gradually ground a score together, scoring the only points of the first quarter and keeping the Blues scoreless until the final minute of the half. By then the Bombers had six goals, and led by 36 points at the long break.
But the Blues, showing some fight and spirit, bounced back in the third term, with the first three goals; and heads that had been despondent for so much of the season came to life as the margin was cut back to 15 points, as suddenly the Blues were living in hope.
But the Bombers steadied, with two goals in time on and then another six goals to one to run away to a 47-point result. For the Bombers, Jason Harry, Ron Wason and debutant Matthew Varjavandi were among their best. The Blues were well served by Ben Wharton, Dave Linsen and Paul Green. But although the Bombers enjoyed the win, the Blues showed signs of being competitive against one of the top teams and will take some confidence out of the match.
The wind, a stiff southerly buster, was also influential at North Dalton Oval, as Illawarra played host to Pennant Hills. Kicking with the wind in the first quarter, the Demons burst out of the blocks with five unanswered goals, leading by 35 points at the first change. The Lions? turn with the wind in the second term saw them only able to make up three goals, with the Demons retaining a 15-point advantage at half time.
The wind had eased after half time, and the game tightened up. There were only two goals scored in the third term, but by kicking both of them, the Demons had opened up a 28-point lead; which the Lions looked unlikely to peg back. And so it would be, and to further underline their dominance, the Demons held the Lions goal-less in the final quarter while adding the only three goals to be scored to the southern end.
The final winning margin for the Demons was 46 points. Nick Campbell was an unstoppable force in the Pennant Hills forward line and finished with six goals, and along with Chris Smith and Alex Goodall was named among the Demons? best. Lewis Wilson, Ryan Woodward and Ethan Hailey worked hard all afternoon for the Lions.
With the win, Pennant Hills take a share of the competition lead; but Illawarra?s loss sees them falling well behind the main contenders for the finals, and needing to string some wins together to be a chance of making this year?s playoff action.
Two teams looking for their first win of 2012 played off at Picken Oval when Wests hosted Sydney Uni. And it was the Students who broke their duck, pulling away in the last quarter of a scrappy game to take a 20-point win.
The Students started brightly around the ground, but some wasteful finishing on the forward line would cost them dearly. The Students squandered chance after chance to score 3.11 in the first half, and despite leading by 10 points at quarter time and by 14 at half time, it could have been more.
And during the third quarter, the Students would have cause to rue their inaccuracy as the Magpies lifted their intensity and came bursting back into the contest. It wasn?t always pretty to watch, but the three goals to two return for the quarter saw the margin cut to just five points at the last change, and the contest for the breakthrough win was very much alive. But the break gave the Students a chance to regroup, and the final quarter saw them finally break away with three goals to one to extend the winning margin to 20 points.
For the Students, Alex Hawtin, Dean McKay and Samuel Orton were prominent performers. Stephen Hudson, Lynn Roehrig and Tim Lambert were among the Magpies? best. It was a welcome breakthrough for Sydney Uni; but one that leaves the Magpies having to wait at least one more week before they can sing their song for the first time in 2012.
St George moved into the top five, displacing UTS, when the Dragons defeated the Bats by 30 points at Trumper Park on Saturday afternoon.
It was goal for goal in the first term, with several lead changes and the Bats holding a 4-point lead at quarter time. But the Dragons regained the lead early in the second term and would not relinquish it again, as they kicked four unanswered goals in the second to lead by 18 points at the long break.
On the small Trumper Park surface, there are plenty of goals on offer to a team prepared to attack, and both sides helped themselves to four goals in the third term. But UTS?s attacking efforts had failed to help them overcome the deficit, with the margin at 20 points at the last change. But still they kept coming, in a free-flowing last quarter that saw plenty of goals and plenty of running footy. But for every goal the Bats would score, the Dragons had an answer; and with eight goals to six in the final quarter, the Dragons sealed a 30-point win.
Experienced Dragon Declan Donohue scored four goals in a best-on-ground performance, while Ben Sharp and Mark Graham were also important contributors for the Dragons. For UTS, Ben Moyle, Frank Boland and Andrew Morley were among their best.
UNSW-ES had the bye this week, and have Pennant Hills challenging them for the competition lead; with the Bulldogs and the Demons both on six wins. North Shore, Balmain, St George and UTS are a game behind, with the Bombers having already had both their byes while the Bats are yet to take a week off.
A two-game break separates the top six from Sydney Hills and Illawarra, the Lions are also yet to have a bye.
And below them, Sydney Uni have one win. Wests and Campbelltown are yet to get on the board in 2012, but play each other next week so one of them will finally get to enjoy victory.
Balmain 5.3 9.7 16.10 26.12 (168)
Sydney Hills Eagles 1.1 3.2 4.2 5.7 (37)
Goals : Balmain - S Lee-Steere 4, L Conway 4, K Pearson 3, T Luff 3, B Taggart 3, G Wilkie 2, C White 2, J Monk 2, T Matson, S Bowen, J Cass. Sydney Hills - K Merson 3, J Dwyer, D. Steer.
Best : Balmain - L Conway, J Coulloupas, J Farrell, J Kennedy, C Bolt, G Wilkie. Sydney Hills - D Steer, A Savage, K Merson, D Killworth, S Turner, J Redfern.
At Henson Park, Sunday 27th May 2012.
North Shore 2.4 6.7 8.8 14.11 (95)
Campbelltown 0.0 1.1 4.5 5.8 (38)
Goals : North Shore ? J Davis 3, N Todd 2, T Schmidt 2, C Callender, R Lynch, P Brackin, S Easey, L Pryor, D Fitgerald, M Varjavandi. Campbelltown - T Etto, B Sommerville, B Wharton, M Linsen, D Linsen.
Best : North Shore ? J Harry, R Wason, M Varjavandi, D Fitzgerald, T Schmidt, J Davis. Campbelltown ? B Wharton, D Linsen, P Green, M Linsen, J Hole, M Morey.
At Monarch Oval, Saturday 26th May 2012.
Pennant Hills 5.6 5.8 7.11 10.14 (74)
Illawarra 0.1 3.5 3.7 3.10 (28)
Goals : Pennant Hills ? N Campbell 6, M Carey, K Wright, D Witt, Brandon Jack. Illawarra ? W Edmed 2, L Wilson.
Best : Pennant Hills ? C Smith, N Campbell, A Goodall, Brandon Jack, A Crisfield, S Parker. Illawarra ? L Wilson, R Woodward, E Hailey, J Lewis, W Edmed, R Cutifani.
At North Dalton Oval, Saturday 26th May 2012.
Sydney University 1.6 3.11 5.11 8.16 (64)
Western Suburbs 0.2 2.3 5.6 6.8 (44)
Goals : Sydney Uni ? A Hawtin 2, M Figg 2, A Everett, M Carter, A Crowe, R Kennedy. Wests ? M Eurell 2, S Lear, J Zoppo, J Newbury, T Lambert.
Best : Sydney Uni ? A Hawtin, D McKay, S Orton, P Casey, B Fitzpatrick, R Kennedy. Wests ? S Hudson, L Roehrig, T Lambert, S Aitchinson, R Miller, D Green.
At Picken Oval, Saturday 26th May 2012.
St George 3.4 7.5 11.8 19.8 (122)
University of Technology 4.2 4.5 8.6 14.8 (92)
Goals : St George ? D Donohue 4, L Broome 3, N Ryan 3, D Ryan 2, A Wynn 2, D Napper 2, P Sain 2, B Heeney. UTS ? J Minichiello 2, J Caica 2, J Gardiner 2, B Worrall-Thompson 2, A Morley, B Moyle, S Tregoning, L Flanagan, D Lavender, J Kenna.
Best : St George ? D Donohue, B Sharp, M Graham, L Perris, B Carroll, B Heeney. UTS ? B Moyle, F Boland, A Morley, R Kirkhope, R Hanmore, M King.
At Trumper Park, Saturday 26th May 2012.
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Division One:
Holroyd-Parramatta 16.7 (103) d Western Suburbs 9.3 (57)
Southern Power 11.16 (82) d UTS 5.10 (40)
North Shore 13.10 (88) d Macquarie Uni 10.5 (65)
Penrith 9.12 (66) d Sydney Hills 9.6 (60)
Manly-Warringah 25.13 (163) d Pennant Hills 1.1 (7)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? Manly-Warringah (100, 478.79%), Southern Power (85.71, 319.07%), Penrith (71.43, 100.94%), UTS (50, 120.30%), North Shore (50, 94.88%), Holroyd-Parramatta (42.86, 91.30%), Macquarie Uni (42.86, 85.35%), UNSW-ES (42.86, 76.62%), Sydney Hills (28.57, 71.29%), Pennant Hills (28.57, 44.69%), Wests (0, 31.09%).
Division Two:
Illawarra d Auburn ? forfeit
Manly-Warringah 13.8 (86) d Moorebank 5.7 (37)
St George 7.10 (52) d NorWest 6.9 (45)
Sydney Uni 7.10 (52) d UNSW-ES 7.8 (50)
Balmain 10.12 (72) d Camden 9.12 (66)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? UNSW-ES (87.50, 175.48%), Sydney Uni (85.71, 131.78%), Balmain (75, 103.69%), Manly-Warringah (71.43, 172.59%), Moorebank (50, 117.82%), St George (37.5, 97.24%), Camden (37.5, 88.65%), NorWest (37.5, 83.45%), Illawarra (25, 85.69%), Auburn (0, 32.09%).
Division Three:
Sydney Uni 17.19 (121) d Western Suburbs 1.4 (10)
UTS 16.15 (111) d Southern Power 4.6 (30)
Saints AFC 12.18 (90) d Sydney Hills 3.2 (20)
Campbelltown 11.12 (78) d Moorebank 5.5 (35)
Blacktown 16.17 (113) d Macquarie Uni 3.0 (18)
Ladder ? UTS (32, 882.91%), Sydney Uni (28, 267.25%), Blacktown (24, 262.54%), Saints AFC (20, 225.98%), Southern Power (16, 133.82%), Macquarie Uni (12, 65.00%), Sydney Hills (12, 53.78%), Campbelltown (8, 37.05%), Moorebank (4, 26.02%), Wests (4, 21.27%).
Division Four:
UTS 21.13 (139) d Southern Power 2.6 (18)
Penrith 12.26 (98) d NorWest 0.0 (0)
North Shore 13.7 (85) d Macquarie Uni 5.8 (38)
Gosford 22.14 (146) d Holroyd-Parramatta 8.4 (52)
UNSW-ES 12.16 (88) d Manly-Warringah 7.10 (52)
Ladder ? UTS (32, 344.56%), Gosford (28, 287.96%), UNSW-ES (28, 222.17%), Penrith (24, 270.30%), Manly-Warringah (16, 87.00%), NorWest (12, 65.11%), North Shore (12, 57.71%), Macquarie Uni (4, 37.34%), Southern Power (4, 35.91%), Holroyd-Parramatta (0, 28.88%).
Division Five:
UTS 20.17 (137) d Penrith 2.3 (15)
Sydney Uni 14.10 (94) d Moorebank 2.8 (20)
UNSW-ES 16.15 (111) d Macquarie Uni 1.5 (11)
Camden 16.5 (111) d Saints AFC 9.12 (66)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? UTS (93.75, 276.03%), Sydney Uni (85.71, 294.01%), Camden (71.43, 125.85%), UNSW-ES (64.29, 187.14%), Saints AFC (42.86, 120.59%), Moorebank (28.57, 99.64%), Macquarie Uni (28.57, 35.87%), Penrith (14.29, 47.24%), Holroyd-Parramatta (14.29, 23.73%).
Under 18s One:
Sydney Uni 23.12 (150) d Western Suburbs 2.1 (13)
Illawarra 10.11 (71) d Pennant Hills 5.7 (37)
Sydney Hills 30.16 (196) d Penrith 0.0 (0)
St George 11.15 (81) d St Ignatius Riverview 8.3 (51)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? Sydney Hills (100, 344.18%), Illawarra (71.43, 157.07%), Sydney Uni (71.43, 139.27%), Pennant Hills (66.67, 162.42%), UNSW-ES (57.14, 109.77%), North Shore (50, 151.57%), St George (33.33, 85.51%), Riverview (28.57, 106.01%), Wests (16.67, 40.99%), Penrith (0, 10.87%).
Under 18s Two:
Macquarie Uni d Saints AFC ? forfeit
Southern Power 8.8 (56) d NorWest 8.4 (52)
Manly-Warringah 18.16 (124) d Moorebank 3.8 (26)
Balmain 18.22 (130) d Sydney Hills 6.4 (40)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? Southern Power (100, 366.44%), Balmain (83.33, 285.27%), Manly-Warringah (71.43, 160.49%), Moorebank (50, 85.28%), NorWest (42.86, 118.32%), Holroyd-Parramatta (33.33, 68.38%), Macquarie Uni (28.57, 42.86%), Sydney Hills (20, 80.47%), Saints AFC (16.67, 20.43%).
NEXT WEEK?S FIXTURES (Lurker?s Kiss of Death in bold):
Premier Division:
Saturday 2nd June
Kelso Oval ? St George v Pennant Hills (2:10pm)
Monarch Oval ? Campbelltown v Western Suburbs (2:10pm)
Village Green ? UNSW-ES v Illawarra (2:10pm)
Gore Hill Oval ? North Shore v Sydney University (2:30pm)
Bruce Purser Reserve ? Sydney Hills v UTS (7:00pm)
BYE ? Balmain.
Division One:
Saturday 2nd June
Gore Hill Oval ? North Shore v Holroyd-Parramatta (10:30am)
Gwawley Oval ? Southern Power v Pennant Hills (12:30pm)
University Oval ? Macquarie Uni v Western Suburbs (2:10pm)
Bruce Purser Reserve ? Sydney Hills v UTS (4:45pm)
Sunday 3rd June
Village Green ? UNSW-ES v Manly-Warringah (2:10pm)
BYE ? Penrith.
Division Two:
Saturday 2nd June
Kelso Oval ? St George v Auburn (10am)
Village Green ? UNSW-ES v Illawarra (12pm)
Harrington Park ? Camden v NorWest (2:10pm)
St Pauls Oval ? Sydney Uni v Moorebank (2:10pm)
Weldon Oval ? Manly-Warringah v Balmain (4:10pm)
Division Three:
Saturday 2nd June
Gwawley Oval ? Southern Power v Blacktown (10:30am)
Monarch Oval ? Campbelltown v Western Suburbs (12pm)
University Oval ? Macquarie Uni v Sydney Hills (12pm)
Pioneers Park ? Saints AFC v UTS (2:10pm)
Sunday 3rd June
Rosedale Oval ? Moorebank v Sydney Uni (12pm)
Division Four:
Saturday 2nd June
Gore Hill Oval ? North Shore v Holroyd-Parramatta (8:30am)
Weldon Oval ? Manly-Warringah v Macquarie Uni (12pm)
Greygums Oval ? Penrith v UTS (2:10pm)
Gwawley Oval ? Southern Power v NorWest (2:30pm)
Sunday 3rd June
Village Green ? UNSW-ES v Gosford (12pm)
Division Five:
Saturday 2nd June
Greygums Oval ? Penrith v Camden (12pm)
Pioneers Park ? Saints AFC v UNSW-ES (12pm)
St Pauls Oval ? Sydney Uni v Macquarie Uni (12pm)
Gipps Rd Oval ? Holroyd-Parramatta v Moorebank (2:10pm)
BYE ? UTS.
Under 18s One:
Saturday 2nd June
Village Green ? UNSW-ES v Illawarra (10am)
Bruce Purser Reserve ? Sydney Hills v St Ignatius Riverview (11:45am)
Kelso Oval ? St George v Pennant Hills (12pm)
Gore Hill Oval ? North Shore v Sydney Uni (12:30pm)
BYE ? Penrith, Western Suburbs.
Under 18s Two:
Saturday 2nd June
Gwawley Oval ? Southern Power v Saints AFC (8:30am)
Bruce Purser Reserve ? Sydney Hills v NorWest (10am)
Gipps Rd Oval ? Holroyd-Parramatta v Moorebank (12pm)
Weldon Oval ? Manly-Warringah v Balmain (2pm)
BYE ? Macquarie Uni.