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SYDNEY AFL ROUND 15 2012
At this stage of the season, the gap between the finalists and the rest can easily blow out. And Round 15 saw that happen; as for the second week in a row there were no Premier Division games in which teams in the top five played each other, and for the second week in a row all games were one-sided with a final margin of over 50 points.
The team outside the top five with the best chance of forcing their way in was St George. But a poor first half against North Shore at Gore Hill Oval would cost them dearly.
The loss of Olds Park has been a frustration for St George, with a scramble to find venues for training and playing. On Saturday, despite being the home team against North Shore, the Dragons found themselves playing a home game on the Bombers? ground.
The Bombers raced out to an early lead, with four goals to two in the first term to lead by 15 points at the first change. Winning plenty of the ball around the ground, the floodgates opened in the second term; the Bombers in complete control with seven goals to two. With a 46-point margin at the long break, the Bombers looked headed to cruise to another win.
But as the third quarter got under way, suddenly the momentum of the game changed. St George?s season was on the line, and they weren?t going to go down without a fight. The Dragons played with an intensity not seen in the first half, pressuring the Bombers and forcing turnovers. It took a little while for the increased intensity to translate into scoreboard pressure, but when it came it came suddenly. A seven-goal quarter, including a six goals to one run at one stage, saw the Dragons storm back into the contest, with the margin back to 17 points in time-on and 23 points at the last change.
It had been a stirring comeback by St George, raising hopes among the Dragons that they may be able to pull off a miracle win. But the break stopped their momentum, allowing the Bombers to regroup; while the pressure of playing catch-up football took its toll in the last quarter. The Bombers steadied, and undid all of St George?s third quarter work as they kicked seven goals to two for the final term to blow the final margin out to 57 points.
North Shore shared the goal-scoring honours around, with 11 players making their way onto the goalkickers? list, Brent Barnes being the most prolific with four goals. Ron Wason, Jordan Weir and Brendan Fitzgerald were among their best. For the Dragons, Nick Ryan continued a solid year on the forward line with five goals, while Ben Sharp, David Lycakis and Mark Graham were prominent contributors.
Top side Pennant Hills showed their credentials as a title contender when they put on a devastating first half to destroy Sydney Uni at Mike Kenny Oval on Saturday afternoon.
The first quarter was a shootout, and every shot hit its target. A behind-free quarter saw nine goals being scored; but it was the Demons who had the bullets of success as they kicked eight of those nine goals. And with another eight goal to one quarter in the second term, the Demons were just one point short of their century at the long break and were holding an 87-point lead.
The Demons had the game safely won, and a handy percentage boost. Although they were unable to keep the scoreboard ticking over quite as frequently in the second half, the Pennant Hills scoring was still frequent enough to ensure the winning margin would keep growing. Four goals to one in the third term saw the margin out to 114 points at the last change; and there was to be no joy for the Students in the final term, with three unanswered Demon goals extending the final winning margin to 133 points.
The Demons used a two-pronged forward structure, with Nick Campbell and Damian Dell?Aquila as targets; a move that worked magnificently as they kicked seven goals apiece, and along with Daniel Witt were among the best on ground. Dane Roberton, Daniel Conway and Lachlan Godfrey toiled hard all day for the Students.
Campbelltown broke a long losing streak in appalling conditions on the Queens Birthday public holiday when they defeated Sydney Hills at Bruce Purser. But the return game in the Monarch Oval sunshine saw fortunes reversed; as the Eagles ended a seven-game losing streak with an 84-point win over the Blues.
The first quarter was a high-scoring shootout, the lead changing hands several times as the teams traded blows; and the Eagles were six points clear at the first change. But when the game tightened up in the second quarter, the Campbelltown scoring dried up. Three unanswered goals to the Eagles in the second term saw them leading by 24 points at half time.
There would be no way back into the game for the Blues. The premiership quarter saw them continue to be starved of scoring chances, with the Eagles scoring four goals to one to extend the margin to 42 points at three quarter time and put the game out of Campbelltown?s reach. And with the game securely won for the Eagles, the floodgates opened in the final quarter, with the Eagles scoring eight goals to one for the final term.
Ashley Moeller kicked five goals for the Eagles and Michael Clinch four; Josh Shephard, Clinch and Moeller being among their best. Brenton Sommerville, Peter Simpson and Ben Wharton continued to work hard all day for the Blues.
Illawarra hosted Balmain at North Dalton Oval on Saturday afternoon, and the Lions put up a good fight for three quarters, causing the Dockers some nervous moments.
The first half was evenly contested, as the Lions placed the Dockers under pressure and threatening on occasions to pull off an upset. The Lions had a four point lead at quarter time, and remained in front for much of the second term before the Dockers took the lead late in the quarter.
Half time saw the Dockers three points in front, and for much of the third term the lead continued to fluctuate. The Lions were staying with the Dockers, but eventually as the quarter progressed the Dockers slowly but surely got on top and led by 18 points at the last change. But after three quarters of solid resistance, the Lions could go no further. The final quarter was a Balmain blowout, as the Dockers scored seven unanswered goals, to blow the final margin out to 63 points after a game that, for much of the afternoon, looked set to be considerably closer.
Ben Taggart kicked five goals for the Dockers, with coach Craig White contributing four. Shelby Lee-Steere, Travis Stevens and Gerard Wilkie were ball magnets all day for the Dockers; while Ken Ewen-Chappell, Jacob Brookfield and Matthew Adamson were prominent performers for the Lions.
At the Village Green on Saturday afternoon, UNSW-ES kept themselves within reach of top spot on the ladder, after a percentage-boosting win over bottom side Wests.
The Magpies scored an early goal, but it would be their only goal for the day. At the other end of the ground, the Bulldogs peppered the goals but would finish inaccurately in the first half to finish 18 points ahead in the first quarter. And once the Bulldogs found their radar in the second term, the goals flowed freely as the Bulldogs scored eight for the quarter and led by 70 points at the long break.
The Bulldog blitz continued in the second half. Not all the scoring chances were converted, with some kickable shots sailing wide as both quarters saw the Bulldogs scoring more behinds than goals. But there were enough goals for the margin to continue to expand, and by the time the final siren sounded the margin was out to 135 points.
Leigh Lavery had an outstanding game as the focal point of the Bulldog attack to finish with nine goals. Around the ground, Hayden Nichols, Dane Rampe and Matthew Rawlinson were among the many who were in complete control around the ground. On a difficult afternoon for the Magpies, Stephen Hudson, Josh Zoppo and Tim Lambert never stopped persevering.
Next week sees the three matches that were called off on the Queens Birthday public holiday being played; with top spot on the line as Pennant Hills host UNSW-ES, while Sydney Uni host Balmain and Illawarra take on North Shore.
North Shore 4.4 11.7 14.10 21.15 (141)
St George 2.1 4.3 11.5 13.6 (84)
Goals : North Shore ? B Barnes 4, D Roberts 3, N Todd 3, J Davis 2, B Fitzgerald 2, P Brackin 2, D Hadden, R Lynch, A Harry, L Kilpatrick, R Wason. St George ? N Ryan 5, B Addison 3, B Guthrie, A Wynn, P Sain, R Bajada, D Lim.
Best : North Shore ? R Wason, J Weir, B Fitzgerald, M Thomas, A Harry, B Barnes. St George ? B Sharp, D Lycakis, M Graham, M Milner, D Ryan, N Ryan.
At Gore Hill Oval, Saturday 14th July 2012.
Pennant Hills 8.0 16.3 20.12 23.15 (153)
Sydney University 1.0 2.0 3.0 3.2 (20)
Goals : Pennant Hills ? N Campbell 7, D Dell?Aquila 7, D Witt 3, A Goodall, B Unwin, Brant Jack, M Crawford, R Watts, Brandon Jack. Sydney Uni ? D Roberton, L Godfrey, M Figg.
Best : Pennant Hills ? N Campbell, D Dell?Aquila, D Witt, L Bilbe, A Goodall, K Wright. Sydney Uni ? D Roberton, D Conway, L Godfrey, M Powys, J Melville, B Fitzpatrick.
At Mike Kenny Oval, Saturday 14th July 2012.
Sydney Hills Eagles 4.2 8.5 12.7 20.9 (129)
Campbelltown 4.2 4.5 5.7 6.9 (45)
Goals : Sydney Hills ? A Moeller 5, A Clinch 4, K Walford 2, D Killworth 2, J Shephard 2, J Patira, J Famularo, D Wright, D Palipuaminni, M Stevens. Campbelltown ? M Linsen 3, M Hogan, S Doherty, B Wharton.
Best : Sydney Hills ? J Shephard, M Clinch, A Moeller, J Gordon, D Killworth, R Fitton. Campbelltown ? B Sommerville, P Simpson, B Wharton, T Etto, B Martin, M Linsen.
At Monarch Oval, Saturday 14th July 2012.
Balmain 3.3 5.6 10.10 17.15 (117)
Illawarra 4.1 5.3 8.4 8.6 (54)
Goals : Balmain ? B Taggart 5, C White 4, T Matson 2, J Monk 2, L Conway, A Azhar, T Mabon. Illawarra ? R Neels 2, W Edmed, D McClure, K Ewen-Chappell, J Weavers, R Oehme, T Green.
Best : Balmain ? S Lee-Steere, T Stevens, G Wilkie, B Taggart, J Monk, L Conway. Illawarra ? K Ewen-Chappell, J Brookfield, M Adamson, P Lloyd, J Hogarth, J Roebuck.
At North Dalton Oval, Saturday 14th July 2012.
Uni NSW-Eastern Suburbs 3.8 11.13 16.20 20.28 (148)
Western Suburbs 1.2 1.3 1.5 1.7 (13)
Goals : UNSW-ES ? L Lavery 9, M Rawlinson 3, D Rampe 2, M Collett, J Parmenter, A Gulden, P Kefalas, J Kiel, B Way. Wests ? J Zoppo.
Best : UNSW-ES ? H Nichols, D Rampe, M Rawlinson, J Kiel, L Lavery, M Collett. Wests ? S Hudson, J Zoppo, T Lambert, S Pearson, J Lear, J Scott.
At Village Green, Saturday 14th July 2012.
Black - Confirmed finalists
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:
Holroyd-Parramatta 5.11 (41) d Pennant Hills 5.7 (37)
Southern Power 19.11 (125) d North Shore 6.5 (41)
UNSW-ES 10.11 (71) d Western Suburbs 7.13 (55)
Macquarie Uni 8.14 (62) d Sydney Hills 3.7 (25)
Manly-Warringah 28.13 (181) d Penrith 1.4 (10)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? Manly-Warringah (100, 647.24%), Southern Power (92.31, 329.23%), Holroyd-Parramatta (66.67, 109.50%), UTS (61.54, 136.43%), Penrith (50, 74.70%), North Shore (41.67, 86.30%), UNSW-ES (41.67, 61.21%), Macquarie Uni (38.46, 92.88%), Sydney Hills (23.08, 55.45%), Pennant Hills (23.08, 42.44%), Wests (8.33, 38.29%).
Division Two:
Balmain 9.6 (60) d Illawarra 5.9 (39)
NorWest 29.18 (192) d Auburn 1.1 (7)
St George 9.10 (64) d Moorebank 4.3 (27)
Camden 12.17 (89) d Sydney Uni 4.6 (30)
UNSW-ES 11.13 (79) d Manly-Warringah 10.4 (64)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? Sydney Uni (84.62, 149.35%), Balmain (69.23, 125.70%), UNSW-ES (64.29, 139.20%), NorWest (57.14, 125.34%), St George (57.14, 125.29%), Camden (57.14, 114.71%), Manly-Warringah (53.85, 137.67%), Moorebank (35.71, 99.12%), Illawarra (15.38, 62.12%), Auburn (7.14, 25.68%).
Division Three:
Sydney Uni 17.10 (112) d Macquarie Uni 6.9 (45)
Campbelltown 12.9 (81) d Sydney Hills 3.3 (21)
Southern Power 13.20 (98) d Moorebank 6.6 (42)
UTS 15.15 (105) d Saints AFC 8.10 (58)
Western Suburbs 11.10 (76) d Blacktown 6.7 (43)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? UTS (92.31, 521.38%), Sydney Uni (84.62, 271.52%), Blacktown (76.92, 269.04%), Saints AFC (64.29, 208.97%), Southern Power (50, 118.99%), Wests (42.86, 60.34%), Macquarie Uni (30.77, 55.35%), Campbelltown (30.77, 39.68%), Sydney Hills (23.08, 39.31%), Moorebank (7.14, 27.05%).
Division Four:
North Shore 10.16 (76) d Southern Power 3.4 (22)
NorWest 10.9 (69) d Holroyd-Parramatta 10.7 (67)
Gosford 17.3 (105) d UTS 11.13 (79)
Penrith 14.6 (90) d Manly-Warringah 12.1 (73)
Macquarie Uni 9.19 (73) d UNSW-ES 2.7 (19)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? UTS (92.31, 256.28%), Gosford (85.71, 264.42%), Penrith (78.57, 237.66%), UNSW-ES (71.43, 177.59%), NorWest (42.86, 72.71%), Manly-Warringah (38.46, 65.61%), North Shore (35.71, 62.87%), Southern Power (21.43, 38.45%), Macquarie Uni (15.38, 49.45%), Holroyd-Parramatta (15.38, 43.93%).
Division Five:
Camden 13.16 (94) d Sydney Uni 5.4 (34)
Saints AFC 11.11 (77) d UNSW-ES 4.8 (32)
Penrith 11.8 (74) d Holroyd-Parramatta 6.6 (42)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? UTS (77.27, 192.51%), Camden (76.92, 159.34%), Sydney Uni (75, 195.77%), Saints AFC (58.33, 140.00%), UNSW-ES (54.17, 137.40%), Moorebank (45.45, 116.14%), Penrith (33.33, 67.60%), Holroyd-Parramatta (16.67, 37.45%).
Under 18s One:
Illawarra d Penrith ? forfeit
UNSW-ES 8.10 (58) d Western Suburbs 6.7 (43)
Sydney Uni 18.8 (116) d Pennant Hills 5.5 (35)
St George 12.14 (86) d North Shore 7.6 (48)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? Sydney Hills (95.83, 338.81%), Sydney Uni (80, 155.09%), Illawarra (70.83, 152.24%), Pennant Hills (63.64, 145.44%), North Shore (50, 168.11%), St George (50, 130.47%), UNSW-ES (45.45, 86.10%), Wests (27.27, 51.64%), Riverview (18.18, 81.49%), Penrith (0, 9.01%).
Under 18s Two:
NorWest 21.12 (138) d Holroyd-Parramatta 4.2 (26)
Moorebank 11.7 (73) d Balmain 10.9 (69)
Macquarie Uni 13.11 (89) d Sydney Hills 6.10 (46)
Southern Power 30.15 (195) d Saints AFC 0.1 (1)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? Southern Power (91.67, 463.18%), Balmain (72.73, 236.06%), Manly-Warringah (72.73, 208.25%), Moorebank (63.64, 88.13%), NorWest (50, 149.33%), Macquarie Uni (45.45, 94.31%), Sydney Hills (20, 92.65%), Holroyd-Parramatta (20, 49.29%), Saints AFC (8.33, 12.07%).
Women:
Sydney Uni 5.10 (40) d Newtown 1.0 (6)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? Balmain (100, 721.60%), Sydney Uni (80, 474.70%), Wollongong (80, 261.64%), Western Wolves (63.64, 247.21%), Newtown (63.64, 173.33%), UNSW (50, 117.85%), Macquarie Uni (50, 92.04%), Southern Power (36.36, 79.57%), Auburn (18.18, 20.00%), UTS (18.18, 16.32%), Penrith (0, 8.74%).
THE RUN HOME:
No teams in the top five have played each other in the last fortnight; but next Saturday sees a game that is likely to be critical for top spot. Pennant Hills are currently a game ahead of UNSW-ES, but the Bulldogs have a better percentage; and the Demons and Bulldogs play each other next week. A win for Pennant Hills would see them two games clear on top, while a Bulldog win would leave the teams tied on points and the Bulldogs taking top spot.
North Shore and UTS are a game behind UNSW-ES; but the Bats have two less games still to play. The Bombers have back to back games against Illawarra, before playing the other teams currently in the top five in their last four games.
Balmain are a game behind North Shore and UTS, but with a better percentage. St George, after last week?s loss, are two games behind Balmain; and with the bye next weekend, a Balmain win over Sydney Uni next week would open up a three-game break. Illawarra have only the most minute mathematical chance of making the finals.
The remaining games for the teams still in mathematical contention are:
Pennant Hills (48, 187.98%) ? UNSW-ES (Mike Kenny), Balmain (Henson), Sydney Hills (Bruce Purser), bye, Wests (Mike Kenny), North Shore (Gore Hill).
UNSW-ES (44, 247.16%) ? Pennant Hills (Mike Kenny), UTS (Village Green), Balmain (Henson), North Shore (Gore Hill), Sydney Hills (Village Green), Sydney Uni (Village Green).
North Shore (40, 209.92%) ? Illawarra (North Dalton), Illawarra (Gore Hill), UTS (Waverley), UNSW-ES (Gore Hill), Balmain (Henson), Pennant Hills (Gore Hill).
UTS (40, 128.12%) ? bye, UNSW-ES (Village Green), North Shore (Waverley), St George (Kelso), bye, Illawarra (North Dalton).
Balmain (36, 216.62%) ? Sydney Uni (SU No 1), Pennant Hills (Henson), UNSW-ES (Henson), Campbelltown (Monarch), North Shore (Henson), St George (Kelso).
St George (28, 115.74%) ? bye, Sydney Uni (Kelso), Campbelltown (Monarch), UTS (Kelso), Illawarra (Kelso), Balmain (Kelso).
Illawarra (16, 67.08%) ? North Shore (North Dalton), North Shore (Gore Hill), bye, Wests (Picken), St George (Kelso), UTS (North Dalton).
NEXT WEEK?S FIXTURES (Lurker?s Kiss of Death in bold):
Premier Division:
Saturday 21st July
Sydney Uni No 1 Oval ? Sydney Uni v Balmain (11:15am)
Mike Kenny Oval ? Pennant Hills v UNSW-ES (2:10pm)
Sunday 22nd July
North Dalton Oval ? Illawarra v North Shore (1:10pm)
Division One:
Saturday 21st July
Mike Kenny Oval ? Pennant Hills v UNSW-ES (12pm)
Bruce Purser Reserve ? Sydney Hills v Macquarie Uni (2:10pm)
Weldon Oval ? Manly-Warringah v North Shore (2:10pm)
Gipps Rd Oval ? Holroyd-Parramatta v Penrith (2:30pm)
Mahoney Park ? UTS v Western Suburbs (3pm)
Division Two:
Saturday 21st July
Sydney Uni No 1 Oval ? Sydney Uni v Balmain (9:15am)
Sunday 22nd July
North Dalton Oval ? Illawarra v Manly-Warringah (11am)
Division Three:
Saturday 21st July
Bruce Purser Reserve ? Sydney Hills v Campbelltown (12pm)
Mahoney Park ? UTS v Blacktown (1pm)
University Oval ? Macquarie Uni v Sydney Uni (2:10pm)
Division Four:
Saturday 21st July
Mahoney Park ? UTS v Macquarie Uni (11am)
Gipps Rd Oval ? Holroyd-Parramatta v Macquarie Uni (12:30pm)
Division Five:
Saturday 21st July
Mahoney Park ? UTS v Moorebank (9am)
Gipps Rd Oval ? Holroyd-Parramatta v Sydney Uni (10:30am)
Under 18s One:
Saturday 21st July
Kelso Oval ? St George v Western Suburbs (10am)
Gore Hill Oval ? North Shore v Sydney Hills (10am)
Mike Kenny Oval ? Pennant Hills v St Ignatius Riverview (10am)
Sydney Uni No 1 Oval ? Sydney Uni v Penrith (5pm)
Under 18s Two:
Saturday 21st July
Gipps Rd Oval ? Holroyd-Parramatta v Balmain (8:30am)
Bruce Purser Reserve ? Sydney Hills v Macquarie Uni (10am)
Women:
Saturday 21st July
Mona Park ? Auburn v Macquarie Uni (10:30am)
North Dalton Oval ? Wollongong v UTS (11am)
Mona Park ? Southern Power v UNSW (12:30pm)
Mona Park ? Balmain v Sydney Uni (2:30pm)
At this stage of the season, the gap between the finalists and the rest can easily blow out. And Round 15 saw that happen; as for the second week in a row there were no Premier Division games in which teams in the top five played each other, and for the second week in a row all games were one-sided with a final margin of over 50 points.
The team outside the top five with the best chance of forcing their way in was St George. But a poor first half against North Shore at Gore Hill Oval would cost them dearly.
The loss of Olds Park has been a frustration for St George, with a scramble to find venues for training and playing. On Saturday, despite being the home team against North Shore, the Dragons found themselves playing a home game on the Bombers? ground.
The Bombers raced out to an early lead, with four goals to two in the first term to lead by 15 points at the first change. Winning plenty of the ball around the ground, the floodgates opened in the second term; the Bombers in complete control with seven goals to two. With a 46-point margin at the long break, the Bombers looked headed to cruise to another win.
But as the third quarter got under way, suddenly the momentum of the game changed. St George?s season was on the line, and they weren?t going to go down without a fight. The Dragons played with an intensity not seen in the first half, pressuring the Bombers and forcing turnovers. It took a little while for the increased intensity to translate into scoreboard pressure, but when it came it came suddenly. A seven-goal quarter, including a six goals to one run at one stage, saw the Dragons storm back into the contest, with the margin back to 17 points in time-on and 23 points at the last change.
It had been a stirring comeback by St George, raising hopes among the Dragons that they may be able to pull off a miracle win. But the break stopped their momentum, allowing the Bombers to regroup; while the pressure of playing catch-up football took its toll in the last quarter. The Bombers steadied, and undid all of St George?s third quarter work as they kicked seven goals to two for the final term to blow the final margin out to 57 points.
North Shore shared the goal-scoring honours around, with 11 players making their way onto the goalkickers? list, Brent Barnes being the most prolific with four goals. Ron Wason, Jordan Weir and Brendan Fitzgerald were among their best. For the Dragons, Nick Ryan continued a solid year on the forward line with five goals, while Ben Sharp, David Lycakis and Mark Graham were prominent contributors.
Top side Pennant Hills showed their credentials as a title contender when they put on a devastating first half to destroy Sydney Uni at Mike Kenny Oval on Saturday afternoon.
The first quarter was a shootout, and every shot hit its target. A behind-free quarter saw nine goals being scored; but it was the Demons who had the bullets of success as they kicked eight of those nine goals. And with another eight goal to one quarter in the second term, the Demons were just one point short of their century at the long break and were holding an 87-point lead.
The Demons had the game safely won, and a handy percentage boost. Although they were unable to keep the scoreboard ticking over quite as frequently in the second half, the Pennant Hills scoring was still frequent enough to ensure the winning margin would keep growing. Four goals to one in the third term saw the margin out to 114 points at the last change; and there was to be no joy for the Students in the final term, with three unanswered Demon goals extending the final winning margin to 133 points.
The Demons used a two-pronged forward structure, with Nick Campbell and Damian Dell?Aquila as targets; a move that worked magnificently as they kicked seven goals apiece, and along with Daniel Witt were among the best on ground. Dane Roberton, Daniel Conway and Lachlan Godfrey toiled hard all day for the Students.
Campbelltown broke a long losing streak in appalling conditions on the Queens Birthday public holiday when they defeated Sydney Hills at Bruce Purser. But the return game in the Monarch Oval sunshine saw fortunes reversed; as the Eagles ended a seven-game losing streak with an 84-point win over the Blues.
The first quarter was a high-scoring shootout, the lead changing hands several times as the teams traded blows; and the Eagles were six points clear at the first change. But when the game tightened up in the second quarter, the Campbelltown scoring dried up. Three unanswered goals to the Eagles in the second term saw them leading by 24 points at half time.
There would be no way back into the game for the Blues. The premiership quarter saw them continue to be starved of scoring chances, with the Eagles scoring four goals to one to extend the margin to 42 points at three quarter time and put the game out of Campbelltown?s reach. And with the game securely won for the Eagles, the floodgates opened in the final quarter, with the Eagles scoring eight goals to one for the final term.
Ashley Moeller kicked five goals for the Eagles and Michael Clinch four; Josh Shephard, Clinch and Moeller being among their best. Brenton Sommerville, Peter Simpson and Ben Wharton continued to work hard all day for the Blues.
Illawarra hosted Balmain at North Dalton Oval on Saturday afternoon, and the Lions put up a good fight for three quarters, causing the Dockers some nervous moments.
The first half was evenly contested, as the Lions placed the Dockers under pressure and threatening on occasions to pull off an upset. The Lions had a four point lead at quarter time, and remained in front for much of the second term before the Dockers took the lead late in the quarter.
Half time saw the Dockers three points in front, and for much of the third term the lead continued to fluctuate. The Lions were staying with the Dockers, but eventually as the quarter progressed the Dockers slowly but surely got on top and led by 18 points at the last change. But after three quarters of solid resistance, the Lions could go no further. The final quarter was a Balmain blowout, as the Dockers scored seven unanswered goals, to blow the final margin out to 63 points after a game that, for much of the afternoon, looked set to be considerably closer.
Ben Taggart kicked five goals for the Dockers, with coach Craig White contributing four. Shelby Lee-Steere, Travis Stevens and Gerard Wilkie were ball magnets all day for the Dockers; while Ken Ewen-Chappell, Jacob Brookfield and Matthew Adamson were prominent performers for the Lions.
At the Village Green on Saturday afternoon, UNSW-ES kept themselves within reach of top spot on the ladder, after a percentage-boosting win over bottom side Wests.
The Magpies scored an early goal, but it would be their only goal for the day. At the other end of the ground, the Bulldogs peppered the goals but would finish inaccurately in the first half to finish 18 points ahead in the first quarter. And once the Bulldogs found their radar in the second term, the goals flowed freely as the Bulldogs scored eight for the quarter and led by 70 points at the long break.
The Bulldog blitz continued in the second half. Not all the scoring chances were converted, with some kickable shots sailing wide as both quarters saw the Bulldogs scoring more behinds than goals. But there were enough goals for the margin to continue to expand, and by the time the final siren sounded the margin was out to 135 points.
Leigh Lavery had an outstanding game as the focal point of the Bulldog attack to finish with nine goals. Around the ground, Hayden Nichols, Dane Rampe and Matthew Rawlinson were among the many who were in complete control around the ground. On a difficult afternoon for the Magpies, Stephen Hudson, Josh Zoppo and Tim Lambert never stopped persevering.
Next week sees the three matches that were called off on the Queens Birthday public holiday being played; with top spot on the line as Pennant Hills host UNSW-ES, while Sydney Uni host Balmain and Illawarra take on North Shore.
North Shore 4.4 11.7 14.10 21.15 (141)
St George 2.1 4.3 11.5 13.6 (84)
Goals : North Shore ? B Barnes 4, D Roberts 3, N Todd 3, J Davis 2, B Fitzgerald 2, P Brackin 2, D Hadden, R Lynch, A Harry, L Kilpatrick, R Wason. St George ? N Ryan 5, B Addison 3, B Guthrie, A Wynn, P Sain, R Bajada, D Lim.
Best : North Shore ? R Wason, J Weir, B Fitzgerald, M Thomas, A Harry, B Barnes. St George ? B Sharp, D Lycakis, M Graham, M Milner, D Ryan, N Ryan.
At Gore Hill Oval, Saturday 14th July 2012.
Pennant Hills 8.0 16.3 20.12 23.15 (153)
Sydney University 1.0 2.0 3.0 3.2 (20)
Goals : Pennant Hills ? N Campbell 7, D Dell?Aquila 7, D Witt 3, A Goodall, B Unwin, Brant Jack, M Crawford, R Watts, Brandon Jack. Sydney Uni ? D Roberton, L Godfrey, M Figg.
Best : Pennant Hills ? N Campbell, D Dell?Aquila, D Witt, L Bilbe, A Goodall, K Wright. Sydney Uni ? D Roberton, D Conway, L Godfrey, M Powys, J Melville, B Fitzpatrick.
At Mike Kenny Oval, Saturday 14th July 2012.
Sydney Hills Eagles 4.2 8.5 12.7 20.9 (129)
Campbelltown 4.2 4.5 5.7 6.9 (45)
Goals : Sydney Hills ? A Moeller 5, A Clinch 4, K Walford 2, D Killworth 2, J Shephard 2, J Patira, J Famularo, D Wright, D Palipuaminni, M Stevens. Campbelltown ? M Linsen 3, M Hogan, S Doherty, B Wharton.
Best : Sydney Hills ? J Shephard, M Clinch, A Moeller, J Gordon, D Killworth, R Fitton. Campbelltown ? B Sommerville, P Simpson, B Wharton, T Etto, B Martin, M Linsen.
At Monarch Oval, Saturday 14th July 2012.
Balmain 3.3 5.6 10.10 17.15 (117)
Illawarra 4.1 5.3 8.4 8.6 (54)
Goals : Balmain ? B Taggart 5, C White 4, T Matson 2, J Monk 2, L Conway, A Azhar, T Mabon. Illawarra ? R Neels 2, W Edmed, D McClure, K Ewen-Chappell, J Weavers, R Oehme, T Green.
Best : Balmain ? S Lee-Steere, T Stevens, G Wilkie, B Taggart, J Monk, L Conway. Illawarra ? K Ewen-Chappell, J Brookfield, M Adamson, P Lloyd, J Hogarth, J Roebuck.
At North Dalton Oval, Saturday 14th July 2012.
Uni NSW-Eastern Suburbs 3.8 11.13 16.20 20.28 (148)
Western Suburbs 1.2 1.3 1.5 1.7 (13)
Goals : UNSW-ES ? L Lavery 9, M Rawlinson 3, D Rampe 2, M Collett, J Parmenter, A Gulden, P Kefalas, J Kiel, B Way. Wests ? J Zoppo.
Best : UNSW-ES ? H Nichols, D Rampe, M Rawlinson, J Kiel, L Lavery, M Collett. Wests ? S Hudson, J Zoppo, T Lambert, S Pearson, J Lear, J Scott.
At Village Green, Saturday 14th July 2012.
| Play | Won | Draw | Lost | For | Agnst | Pts | %age | Strk | |
| Pennant Hills | 13 | 12 | 0 | 1 | 1,361 | 724 | 92.31 | 187.98 | W11 |
| UNSW-ES | 12 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 1,436 | 581 | 91.67 | 247.16 | W7 |
| North Shore | 12 | 10 | 0 | 2 | 1,375 | 655 | 83.33 | 209.92 | W2 |
| Balmain | 12 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 1,434 | 662 | 75.00 | 216.62 | W4 |
| UTS | 14 | 10 | 0 | 4 | 1,230 | 960 | 71.43 | 128.12 | W2 |
| St George | 13 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 1,228 | 1,061 | 53.85 | 115.74 | L2 |
| Illawarra | 13 | 4 | 0 | 9 | 860 | 1,282 | 30.77 | 67.08 | L3 |
| Sydney Hills | 14 | 4 | 0 | 10 | 854 | 1,356 | 28.57 | 62.98 | W1 |
| Campbelltown | 14 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 695 | 1,712 | 14.29 | 40.60 | L3 |
| Sydney Uni | 12 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 560 | 1,256 | 8.33 | 44.59 | L5 |
| Western Suburbs | 13 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 667 | 1,451 | 7.69 | 45.97 | L5 |
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:
Holroyd-Parramatta 5.11 (41) d Pennant Hills 5.7 (37)
Southern Power 19.11 (125) d North Shore 6.5 (41)
UNSW-ES 10.11 (71) d Western Suburbs 7.13 (55)
Macquarie Uni 8.14 (62) d Sydney Hills 3.7 (25)
Manly-Warringah 28.13 (181) d Penrith 1.4 (10)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? Manly-Warringah (100, 647.24%), Southern Power (92.31, 329.23%), Holroyd-Parramatta (66.67, 109.50%), UTS (61.54, 136.43%), Penrith (50, 74.70%), North Shore (41.67, 86.30%), UNSW-ES (41.67, 61.21%), Macquarie Uni (38.46, 92.88%), Sydney Hills (23.08, 55.45%), Pennant Hills (23.08, 42.44%), Wests (8.33, 38.29%).
Division Two:
Balmain 9.6 (60) d Illawarra 5.9 (39)
NorWest 29.18 (192) d Auburn 1.1 (7)
St George 9.10 (64) d Moorebank 4.3 (27)
Camden 12.17 (89) d Sydney Uni 4.6 (30)
UNSW-ES 11.13 (79) d Manly-Warringah 10.4 (64)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? Sydney Uni (84.62, 149.35%), Balmain (69.23, 125.70%), UNSW-ES (64.29, 139.20%), NorWest (57.14, 125.34%), St George (57.14, 125.29%), Camden (57.14, 114.71%), Manly-Warringah (53.85, 137.67%), Moorebank (35.71, 99.12%), Illawarra (15.38, 62.12%), Auburn (7.14, 25.68%).
Division Three:
Sydney Uni 17.10 (112) d Macquarie Uni 6.9 (45)
Campbelltown 12.9 (81) d Sydney Hills 3.3 (21)
Southern Power 13.20 (98) d Moorebank 6.6 (42)
UTS 15.15 (105) d Saints AFC 8.10 (58)
Western Suburbs 11.10 (76) d Blacktown 6.7 (43)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? UTS (92.31, 521.38%), Sydney Uni (84.62, 271.52%), Blacktown (76.92, 269.04%), Saints AFC (64.29, 208.97%), Southern Power (50, 118.99%), Wests (42.86, 60.34%), Macquarie Uni (30.77, 55.35%), Campbelltown (30.77, 39.68%), Sydney Hills (23.08, 39.31%), Moorebank (7.14, 27.05%).
Division Four:
North Shore 10.16 (76) d Southern Power 3.4 (22)
NorWest 10.9 (69) d Holroyd-Parramatta 10.7 (67)
Gosford 17.3 (105) d UTS 11.13 (79)
Penrith 14.6 (90) d Manly-Warringah 12.1 (73)
Macquarie Uni 9.19 (73) d UNSW-ES 2.7 (19)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? UTS (92.31, 256.28%), Gosford (85.71, 264.42%), Penrith (78.57, 237.66%), UNSW-ES (71.43, 177.59%), NorWest (42.86, 72.71%), Manly-Warringah (38.46, 65.61%), North Shore (35.71, 62.87%), Southern Power (21.43, 38.45%), Macquarie Uni (15.38, 49.45%), Holroyd-Parramatta (15.38, 43.93%).
Division Five:
Camden 13.16 (94) d Sydney Uni 5.4 (34)
Saints AFC 11.11 (77) d UNSW-ES 4.8 (32)
Penrith 11.8 (74) d Holroyd-Parramatta 6.6 (42)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? UTS (77.27, 192.51%), Camden (76.92, 159.34%), Sydney Uni (75, 195.77%), Saints AFC (58.33, 140.00%), UNSW-ES (54.17, 137.40%), Moorebank (45.45, 116.14%), Penrith (33.33, 67.60%), Holroyd-Parramatta (16.67, 37.45%).
Under 18s One:
Illawarra d Penrith ? forfeit
UNSW-ES 8.10 (58) d Western Suburbs 6.7 (43)
Sydney Uni 18.8 (116) d Pennant Hills 5.5 (35)
St George 12.14 (86) d North Shore 7.6 (48)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? Sydney Hills (95.83, 338.81%), Sydney Uni (80, 155.09%), Illawarra (70.83, 152.24%), Pennant Hills (63.64, 145.44%), North Shore (50, 168.11%), St George (50, 130.47%), UNSW-ES (45.45, 86.10%), Wests (27.27, 51.64%), Riverview (18.18, 81.49%), Penrith (0, 9.01%).
Under 18s Two:
NorWest 21.12 (138) d Holroyd-Parramatta 4.2 (26)
Moorebank 11.7 (73) d Balmain 10.9 (69)
Macquarie Uni 13.11 (89) d Sydney Hills 6.10 (46)
Southern Power 30.15 (195) d Saints AFC 0.1 (1)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? Southern Power (91.67, 463.18%), Balmain (72.73, 236.06%), Manly-Warringah (72.73, 208.25%), Moorebank (63.64, 88.13%), NorWest (50, 149.33%), Macquarie Uni (45.45, 94.31%), Sydney Hills (20, 92.65%), Holroyd-Parramatta (20, 49.29%), Saints AFC (8.33, 12.07%).
Women:
Sydney Uni 5.10 (40) d Newtown 1.0 (6)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? Balmain (100, 721.60%), Sydney Uni (80, 474.70%), Wollongong (80, 261.64%), Western Wolves (63.64, 247.21%), Newtown (63.64, 173.33%), UNSW (50, 117.85%), Macquarie Uni (50, 92.04%), Southern Power (36.36, 79.57%), Auburn (18.18, 20.00%), UTS (18.18, 16.32%), Penrith (0, 8.74%).
THE RUN HOME:
No teams in the top five have played each other in the last fortnight; but next Saturday sees a game that is likely to be critical for top spot. Pennant Hills are currently a game ahead of UNSW-ES, but the Bulldogs have a better percentage; and the Demons and Bulldogs play each other next week. A win for Pennant Hills would see them two games clear on top, while a Bulldog win would leave the teams tied on points and the Bulldogs taking top spot.
North Shore and UTS are a game behind UNSW-ES; but the Bats have two less games still to play. The Bombers have back to back games against Illawarra, before playing the other teams currently in the top five in their last four games.
Balmain are a game behind North Shore and UTS, but with a better percentage. St George, after last week?s loss, are two games behind Balmain; and with the bye next weekend, a Balmain win over Sydney Uni next week would open up a three-game break. Illawarra have only the most minute mathematical chance of making the finals.
The remaining games for the teams still in mathematical contention are:
Pennant Hills (48, 187.98%) ? UNSW-ES (Mike Kenny), Balmain (Henson), Sydney Hills (Bruce Purser), bye, Wests (Mike Kenny), North Shore (Gore Hill).
UNSW-ES (44, 247.16%) ? Pennant Hills (Mike Kenny), UTS (Village Green), Balmain (Henson), North Shore (Gore Hill), Sydney Hills (Village Green), Sydney Uni (Village Green).
North Shore (40, 209.92%) ? Illawarra (North Dalton), Illawarra (Gore Hill), UTS (Waverley), UNSW-ES (Gore Hill), Balmain (Henson), Pennant Hills (Gore Hill).
UTS (40, 128.12%) ? bye, UNSW-ES (Village Green), North Shore (Waverley), St George (Kelso), bye, Illawarra (North Dalton).
Balmain (36, 216.62%) ? Sydney Uni (SU No 1), Pennant Hills (Henson), UNSW-ES (Henson), Campbelltown (Monarch), North Shore (Henson), St George (Kelso).
St George (28, 115.74%) ? bye, Sydney Uni (Kelso), Campbelltown (Monarch), UTS (Kelso), Illawarra (Kelso), Balmain (Kelso).
Illawarra (16, 67.08%) ? North Shore (North Dalton), North Shore (Gore Hill), bye, Wests (Picken), St George (Kelso), UTS (North Dalton).
NEXT WEEK?S FIXTURES (Lurker?s Kiss of Death in bold):
Premier Division:
Saturday 21st July
Sydney Uni No 1 Oval ? Sydney Uni v Balmain (11:15am)
Mike Kenny Oval ? Pennant Hills v UNSW-ES (2:10pm)
Sunday 22nd July
North Dalton Oval ? Illawarra v North Shore (1:10pm)
Division One:
Saturday 21st July
Mike Kenny Oval ? Pennant Hills v UNSW-ES (12pm)
Bruce Purser Reserve ? Sydney Hills v Macquarie Uni (2:10pm)
Weldon Oval ? Manly-Warringah v North Shore (2:10pm)
Gipps Rd Oval ? Holroyd-Parramatta v Penrith (2:30pm)
Mahoney Park ? UTS v Western Suburbs (3pm)
Division Two:
Saturday 21st July
Sydney Uni No 1 Oval ? Sydney Uni v Balmain (9:15am)
Sunday 22nd July
North Dalton Oval ? Illawarra v Manly-Warringah (11am)
Division Three:
Saturday 21st July
Bruce Purser Reserve ? Sydney Hills v Campbelltown (12pm)
Mahoney Park ? UTS v Blacktown (1pm)
University Oval ? Macquarie Uni v Sydney Uni (2:10pm)
Division Four:
Saturday 21st July
Mahoney Park ? UTS v Macquarie Uni (11am)
Gipps Rd Oval ? Holroyd-Parramatta v Macquarie Uni (12:30pm)
Division Five:
Saturday 21st July
Mahoney Park ? UTS v Moorebank (9am)
Gipps Rd Oval ? Holroyd-Parramatta v Sydney Uni (10:30am)
Under 18s One:
Saturday 21st July
Kelso Oval ? St George v Western Suburbs (10am)
Gore Hill Oval ? North Shore v Sydney Hills (10am)
Mike Kenny Oval ? Pennant Hills v St Ignatius Riverview (10am)
Sydney Uni No 1 Oval ? Sydney Uni v Penrith (5pm)
Under 18s Two:
Saturday 21st July
Gipps Rd Oval ? Holroyd-Parramatta v Balmain (8:30am)
Bruce Purser Reserve ? Sydney Hills v Macquarie Uni (10am)
Women:
Saturday 21st July
Mona Park ? Auburn v Macquarie Uni (10:30am)
North Dalton Oval ? Wollongong v UTS (11am)
Mona Park ? Southern Power v UNSW (12:30pm)
Mona Park ? Balmain v Sydney Uni (2:30pm)