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SYDNEY AFL ROUND 17 2012 
Article and Photos by Michael Shillito
We?ve made it to August, and the finals are not far away. Six teams remain in the fight for the finals; but with spot, the top three and the top five still up for grabs, there?s plenty of interest in the remaining rounds.
The weekend saw Sydney bathed in glorious sunshine, and conditions were good. And there were some critical games involving finals contenders.
Sunday afternoon at Henson Park saw Balmain take on UNSW-ES. The Dockers were looking for a win to keep themselves in the hunt for the double-chance in the finals; while the Bulldogs were looking to maintain top spot on the ladder.
But it was hard to see the Bulldogs being anywhere near minor premiership contenders in the first quarter, as the Dockers wasted no time in getting an early jump. From Aaron Cottrell finding himself at the end of a chain of handballs to snap the first goal, the Dockers were in control throughout the opening quarter. Cottrell had plenty of action during the quarter and would add three goals, one a clever snap from an impossible angle as he was awarded a 50 metre penalty, but the advantage goal was awarded. Ben Taggart scored twice for the quarter, as the Dockers scored nine straight goals and led by 31 points at quarter time.
The Bulldogs had been blown out of the contest by the Balmain speed and accuracy. Late in the third term, having struggled to get a possession in the first 20 minutes of the game, the Bulldogs began to attempt a fightback; but some poor finishing would let them down. And the trend continued in the second term, as the Bulldogs kicked a string of behinds before Josh Parmenter finally stopped the rot with a strong mark under the posts.
But Parmenter?s goal would be a rare highlight in the first half for the Bulldogs, as the Dockers again took control. The possession flow had become more even, but the Dockers made far better use of their opportunities. Even when forced out wide in the second quarter, they couldn?t miss their shots at goal, with Ben Taggart converting three goals in the second term from a similar tight angle next to the south-eastern light tower.
The Bulldogs had their chances, but with the exception of a sensational solo effort by Dane Rampe to smother and re-gather and snap a goal, behinds would let them down. By the time the half time siren sounded, the Bulldogs had more scoring shots but found themselves 39 points behind. Early in the third term, the margin extended beyond 40 points, and the game looked all decided. Despite a late fightback by the Bulldogs in time-on of the third term, the Dockers still held a 28-point advantage at the last change.
But out of nowhere, an unlikely comeback was launched. And when it came, it came quickly.
The Bulldogs were still 29 points behind at the five minute mark, with each side having scored one goal for the quarter. But when Max Collett blazed away on the run from the 50 metre line, the Bulldogs lifted.
Leigh Lavery, the competition?s leading goal-scorer, showed his strength as he grabbed a contested mark at the edge of the square and then kicked truly. Max Collett intercepted a kick-in to mark 55 metres out, but after being unable to find a lead, he launched a torpedo that went straight through. And at the 18 minute mark, Peter Kefalas on the half-forward line spotted Ben Way unmarked at the shadow of the post and delivered a pinpoint pass. Way went back, took his kick, and suddenly the Bulldogs were in front.
But the Dockers weren?t going to take defeat lying down. Twice they went long towards the goal, only for the ball to be marked on the line by the UNSW-ES defenders to relieve the pressure. But it was third time lucky, as Cottrell burst through a scramble on the forward line and slammed through his fifth and most important goal for the day, to restore the lead for Balmain.
The pressure was on, as the Bulldogs searched for a winner. But set shots in the final minute to Gulden and Collett sailed agonisingly wide of the big sticks; and the final siren sounded to give the Dockers an important four-goal win.
Ben Taggart finished with six goals for the Dockers while Aaron Cottrell contributed five. Gerard Wilkie, Shelby Lee-Steere and Taggart were among Balmain?s best. For the Bulldogs, Josh Parmenter and Leigh Lavery kicked four goals apiece; Dane Rampe, Stephen Benjamin and Josh Parmenter being among their best.
Another match between two finals contenders was at Waverley Oval on Saturday afternoon, with UTS hosting North Shore. When the two sides had played at Gore Hill earlier in the season, the Bats pulled off a stunning one-point win. And this one would also go down to the wire.
The Bombers had the better of the early exchanges, with four early goals as they cruised to an 18-point quarter time lead. But the Bats tightened the game up in the second term. The second quarter wasn?t one that reached any great heights, and no goals were scored in a scrappy exhibition of football, with the Bombers 19 points clear at half time.
The Bats had scored only one goal in the first half, and the task of getting back into the game looked a hard ask. But the Bats emerged from the rooms for the third quarter a new side, with plenty of run and immediately took to the task of getting back into the contest. And they wasted no time, with four goals in the first 15 minutes to take the lead. The Bombers steadied to regain the lead and hold a two point advantage at the last change. Again in the last quarter the Bats took the lead, but the Bombers had the answers when it mattered with two late goals to record a hard-fought eight point win.
Doug Hadden, Sam Naismith and Matt Thomas were among North Shore?s best, while the Bats were well served by David Lavender, Justin Kenna and Scott Tregoning. North Shore find themselves well placed for a run at the double-chance in the finals; but the Bats will need to quickly rediscover some form or face the risk of falling out of the top five.
St George needed a win to keep themselves in the finals race when they took on Campbelltown at Kelso Oval on Saturday afternoon. And it was mission accomplished in style when the Dragons took control from the start and dominated throughout to win by 159 points.
Signalling their intentions from the start, the Dragons raced out of the blocks with a run of seven goals to one in the first term to lead by 40 points at quarter time. Attacking options were rare for the Blues, and they would be prevented from having any hopes of clawing back some ground in the contest as they were unable to score their second goal until during the final quarter.
Six unanswered goals to the Dragons saw them leading by 80 points at half time, and the third quarter was even more one-sided than the second as the Dragons added another eight; and with a 129-point lead at the last change, the Dragons were content to put their cue in the rack in the last quarter and cruise to a comfortable and percentage-boosting win.
The Dragons had plenty of attacking options, with Alex Wynn and Jason Saddington each contributing seven goals to the St George cause; while Nick Ryan scored six. The Dragons had plenty of winners around the ground, with Alex Wynn, Steven Wilsen and Dean Gilbert the pick of them. On another hard afternoon for Campbelltown, Brenton Sommerville, Bryce Joynson and Joel Wheeler kept putting in all day. The win sees St George just one game behind UTS and with a superior percentage; and next week?s game between the Dragons and the Bats could well turn into effectively an early elimination final.
Pennant Hills returned to form on Saturday night at Bruce Purser Reserve, as they snapped a two-game losing streak with a 78-point win over Sydney Hills Eagles.
The Eagles had been stuggling for form, but came out breathing fire early and threatened to derail the Demons. The Eagles had three early goals on the board, and denied the Demons any attacking opportunities to take a shock 10-point quarter time lead. But the second term saw the Demons lift, and finally the attacking options began to present themselves. Four unanswered goals saw the Demons take the lead, and hold a 19-point advantage at the long break.
There was no way back for the Eagles in the premiership quarter, as the Pennant Hills defence tightened to refuse the Eagles any attacking options. The Eagles were held to one point for the quarter, while at the other end the Demons added four goals to open up a 46-point lead at three quarter time. It was one-sided in the last quarter, with the Demons adding six goals to one to ensure a percentage-boosting win for the Demons.
Kieran Wright, Sam Widmer and Stephen Wray were prominent performers all evening for the Demons; keeping them in contention for the double-chance in the finals. For the Eagles, Scott Pierce, Damon Steer and James Mann picked up plenty of the ball.
The bottom two teams, Wests and Sydney Uni, took to Henson Park for a rare morning game, desperate to keep themselves off the bottom of the ladder. And it was the Magpies who would prevail, getting their second win of the season and one step closer to avoiding the dreaded wooden spoon.
A positive start by the Magpies saw them kick five goals to two for the opening quarter, putting themselves in the lead and although the Students at times threatened to get back into the contest, they were never able to take the lead. The margin was 21 points in favour of the Magpies at quarter time, and despite a late charge by the Students in the second term, the Magpies were still eight points clear at half time.
The third quarter was low-scoring, desperation stakes football as both sides strained and searched for an edge that would take them to an elusive win. But the Magpies had a slight advantage, with two goals to one that saw the Magpies take a 17-point lead into the huddle at the last change. And despite the Students having the ball on their forward line for much of the last quarter, the Magpies hung on to take a hard-earned nine point win.
Scott Lear, Tim Lambert and Ryan Hinson were among Wests? best, on a day that will do much to boost the morale around their club. For the Students, Dane Robertson, Jeff Melville and Scott Snodgrass worked hard all day.
The countdown to the finals continues next weekend, and there?s some more critical games. Top spot will be on the line when North Shore host UNSW-ES at Gore Hill, while the winner of the St George v UTS game will go into the top five.
Balmain 9.0 13.1 14.5 16.8 (104)
Uni NSW-Eastern Suburbs 3.5 5.10 8.13 14.16 (100)
Goals : Balmain ? B Taggart 6, A Cottrell 5, L Conway 2, S Lee-Steere, B Plug, J Cass. UNSW-ES ? J Parmenter 4, L Lavery 4, M Collett 3, D Rampe, H Nichols, B Way.
Best : Balmain ? G Wilkie, S Lee-Steere, B Taggart, J Monk, A Cottrell, K Pearson. UNSW-ES ? D Rampe, S Benjamin, J Parmenter, J Robbie, S Tagliabue, P Kefalas.
At Henson Park, Sunday 5th August 2012.
North Shore 4.2 4.7 5.10 7.12 (54)
University of Technology 1.2 1.6 5.8 6.10 (46)
Goals : North Shore ? S Naismith 3, D Hadden 2, Z Manley, J Davis. UTS ? D Lavender 2, M Davis 2, S Chadwick, S Kinross.
Best : North Shore ? D Hadden, S Naismith, M Thomas, R Wason, D Fitzgerald, J Weir. UTS ? D Lavender, J Jenna, S Tregoning, R Hanmore, J Hume, T Nixon.
At Waverley Oval, Saturday 4th August 2012.
St George 7.4 13.10 21.13 26.20 (176)
Campbelltown 1.0 1.2 1.4 2.5 (17)
Goals : St George - A Wynn 7, J Saddington 7, N Ryan 6, B Addison 2, D Ryan, P Sain, D Lycakis, J West. Campbelltown ? M Linsen 2.
Best : St George ? A Wynn, S Wilsen, D Gilbert, M Jones, B Guthrie, R Bajeda. Campbelltown ? B Sommerville, B Joynson, J Wheeler, P Simpson, J Watkins, B Martin.
At Kelson Oval, Saturday 4th August 2012.
Pennant Hills 1.4 5.9 9.13 15.17 (107)
Sydney Hills Eagles 3.2 3.2 3.3 4.5 (29)
Goals : Pennant Hills ? S Wray 3, J Barty 2, M Carey 2, P Barnes 2, T Wales, L Bilbe, A Goodall, K Wright, B Unwin, T Rivers. Sydney Hills ? D Killworth, M Clinch, B Trewin, A Foxall.
Best : Pennant Hills ? K Wright, S Widmer, S Wray, A Goodall, T Wales, Brant Jack. Sydney Hills ? S Pierce, D Steer, J Mann, H Bond, J Gordon, T Psysick.
At Bruce Purser Reserve, Saturday 4th August 2012.
Western Suburbs 5.4 6.5 8.9 9.11 (65)
Sydney University 2.1 5.3 6.4 8.8 (56)
Goals : Wests ? B Mumme 3, M Eurell 3, R Chowanetz, S Hudson, K Currie. Sydney Uni ? J Lawson 2, R MacPherson, M Carey, A Dyson, C Fleetwood, B Fitzpatrick, T Air.
Best : Wests ? S Lear, T Lambert, R Hinson, S Hudson, L Roehrig, B Mumme. Sydney Uni ? D Roberton, J Melville, S Snodgrass, R Kennedy, A Dyson, J Doughty.
At Henson Park, Saturday 4th August 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:
North Shore 8.15 (63) d UTS 5.11 (41)
Holroyd-Parramatta 15.16 (106) d Western Suburbs 6.4 (40)
Southern Power 14.8 (92) d Macquarie Uni 3.3 (21)
Penrith 7.22 (64) d UNSW-ES 3.7 (25)
Pennant Hills 9.3 (57) d Sydney Hills 3.9 (27)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? Manly-Warringah (100, 622.15%), Southern Power (93.33, 334.17%), Holroyd-Parramatta (66.67, 113.62%), UTS (62.5, 127.39%), Penrith (53.33, 81.96%), North Shore (40, 75.90%), UNSW-ES (33.33, 62.78%), Macquarie Uni (31.25, 78.39%), Pennant Hills (31.25, 49.92%), Sydney Hills (26.67, 62.49%), Wests (13.33, 44.49%).
Division Two:
Sydney Uni d Auburn ? forfeit
Camden 11.3 (69) d St George 10.8 (68)
Manly-Warringah 14.9 (93) d Illawarra 4.6 (30)
NorWest 17.8 (110) d Moorebank 5.7 (37)
UNSW-ES 10.7 (67) d Balmain 4.4 (28)
Ladder ? Sydney Uni (52, 139.27%), Manly-Warringah (40, 149.25%), UNSW-ES (40, 135.68%), NorWest (40, 132.86%), Balmain (40, 118.68%), St George (36, 124.09%), Camden (36, 111.06%), Moorebank (20, 90.60%), Illawarra (12, 64.10%), Auburn (4, 27.22%).
Division Three:
UTS 25.23 (173) d Moorebank 0.2 (2)
Southern Power 10.14 (74) d Western Suburbs 4.11 (35)
Macquarie Uni 12.10 (82) d Campbelltown 10.11 (71)
Saints AFC 25.20 (170) d Sydney Hills 4.4 (28)
Blacktown 11.9 (75) d Sydney Uni 3.14 (32)
Ladder ? UTS (56, 451.66%), Blacktown (52, 249.04%), Sydney Uni (52, 243.71%), Saints AFC (44, 234.05%), Southern Power (36, 133.69%), Wests (24, 59.35%), Macquarie Uni (20, 55.15%), Campbelltown (20, 42.38%), Sydney Hills (12, 39.36%), Moorebank (4, 24.78%).
Division Four:
UTS 24.13 (157) d Holroyd-Parramatta 2.5 (17)
NorWest 10.8 (68) d North Shore 6.16 (52)
Macquarie Uni 11.6 (72) drew Southern Power 11.6 (72)
Gosford 16.14 (110) d Manly-Warringah 4.4 (28)
Penrith 11.10 (76) d UNSW-ES 2.3 (15)
Ladder ? Gosford (56, 298.84%), UTS (56, 250.52%), Penrith (52, 237.90%), UNSW-ES (44, 157.73%), NorWest (28, 76.09%), North Shore (24, 66.51%), Manly-Warringah (20, 63.41%), Holroyd-Parramatta (16, 47.21%), Southern Power (14, 42.32%), Macquarie Uni (10, 45.15%).
Division Five:
Moorebank 9.17 (71) d Penrith 5.7 (37)
Saints AFC 13.13 (91) d UTS 6.6 (42)
Sydney Uni 14.15 (99) d UNSW-ES 8.6 (54)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? Sydney Uni (80, 211.95%), Camden (78.57, 172.44%), UTS (67.86, 154.95%), Saints AFC (64.29, 163.77%), Moorebank (57.14, 134.72%), UNSW-ES (46.43, 112.83%), Penrith (28.57, 62.67%), Holroyd-Parramatta (14.29, 36.47%).
Under 18s One:
Sydney Hills 15.17 (107) d Pennant Hills 2.3 (15)
St Ignatius Riverview 9.14 (68) d North Shore 4.7 (31)
UNSW-ES 18.16 (124) d Penrith 0.4 (4)
Sydney Uni 27.13 (175) d Western Suburbs 1.3 (9)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? Sydney Hills (96.15, 351.72%), Sydney Uni (75, 169.15%), Illawarra (73.08, 161.47%), Pennant Hills (61.54, 131.65%), St George (53.85, 131.62%), UNSW-ES (53.85, 104.64%), North Shore (41.67, 135.36%), Wests (25, 43.95%), Riverview (23.08, 84.91%), Penrith (0, 10.40%).
Under 18s Two:
Manly-Warringah 13.16 (94) d Holroyd-Parramatta 5.4 (34)
Southern Power 9.8 (62) d Macquarie Uni 4.6 (30)
Sydney Hills 19.15 (129) d Saints AFC 3.7 (25)
NorWest 6.6 (42) d Moorebank 5.4 (34)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? Southern Power (92.86, 452.77%), Balmain (76.92, 209.62%), Manly-Warringah (69.23, 196.74%), NorWest (53.85, 147.94%), Moorebank (53.85, 82.96%), Macquarie Uni (50, 116.24%), Sydney Hills (30.77, 80.77%), Holroyd-Parramatta (15.38, 46.94%), Saints AFC (7.14, 11.81%).
Women:
Penrith 6.10 (46) drew Auburn 7.4 (46)
Sydney Uni 11.12 (78) d Newtown 5.3 (33)
Western Wolves 4.7 (31) d Wollongong 3.4 (22)
Balmain 17.16 (118) d UNSW 3.4 (22)
Macquarie Uni 3.9 (27) d Southern Power 4.1 (25)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? Balmain (100, 744.79%), Wollongong (76.92, 327.41%), Sydney Uni (69.23, 274.85%), Western Wolves (69.23, 237.22%), Newtown (53.85, 126.59%), UNSW (53.85, 103.72%), Macquarie Uni (53.85, 93.48%), Southern Power (30.77, 78.12%), UTS (23.08, 19.30%), Auburn (17.86, 20.51%), Penrith (3.85, 13.97%).
THE RUN HOME
Three weeks to go, and four of our top five teams are confirmed. But the order is still very much up for grabs, with just one game separating first from fourth.
North Shore have a narrow percentage lead over UNSW-ES, and a further percentage gap to Pennant Hills. But the Demons have the bye this week, while the Bombers and Bulldogs play each other; so the winner of that game will go top of the ladder. North Shore have games against finalists still to come, while UNSW-ES have easier games in the last two rounds.
Balmain are a game behind the top three, with a percentage better than Pennant Hills but inferior to North Shore and UNSW-ES. The Dockers have a chance to add to their percentage this week when they pay Campbelltown; but their hopes of the double chance will likely be decided the following week when they play North Shore.
UTS are two games behind Balmain, now just one game clear of St George and with an inferior percentage. The Bats and Dragons play each other this week. With the Bats only having one more game after this week, a St George win in that game would put the Dragons in the box seat to qualify for this year?s finals.
The remaining games for the teams still in contention are:
North Shore (52, 220.62%) ? UNSW-ES (Gore Hill), Balmain (Henson), Pennant Hills (Gore Hill).
UNSW-ES (52, 214.09%) ? North Shore (Gore Hill), Sydney Hills (Village Green), Sydney Uni (Village Green).
Pennant Hills (52, 175.08%) ? bye, Wests (Mike Kenny), North Shore (Gore Hill).
Balmain (48, 185.74%) ? Campbelltown (Monarch), North Shore (Henson), St George (Kelso).
UTS (40, 117.84%) ? St George (Kelso), bye, Illawarra (North Dalton).
St George (36, 137.00%) ? UTS (Kelso), Illawarra (Kelso), Balmain (Kelso).
NEXT WEEK?S MATCHES (Lurker?s Kiss of Death in bold)
Premier Division:
Saturday 11th August
Sydney Uni No 1 Oval ? Sydney Uni v Sydney Hills (12pm)
Monarch Oval ? Campbelltown v Balmain (2:10pm)
Kelso Oval ? St George v UTS (2:10pm)
Gore Hill Oval ? North Shore v UNSW-ES (2:30pm)
Picken Oval ? Western Suburbs v Illawarra (2:30pm)
BYE ? Pennant Hills.
Division One:
Saturday 11th August
Picken Oval ? Western Suburbs v Manly-Warringah (10:30am)
Bruce Purser Reserve ? Sydney Hills v Holroyd-Parramatta (11am)
Gore Hill Oval ? North Shore v UNSW-ES (12:30pm)
Gwawley Oval ? Southern Power v UTS (2:10pm)
University Oval ? Macquarie Uni v Penrith (4:10pm)
BYE ? Pennant Hills.
Division Two:
Saturday 11th August
Village Green ? UNSW-ES v Auburn (10am)
North Dalton Oval ? Illawarra v Moorebank (12pm)
Kelso Oval ? St George v Manly-Warringah (12pm)
Bensons Lane ? NorWest v Sydney Uni (2:10pm)
Harrington Park ? Camden v Balmain (2:10pm)
Division Three:
Saturday 11th August
Picken Oval ? Western Suburbs v Sydney Hills (8:30am)
Gwawley Oval ? Southern Power v UTS (12pm)
Monarch Oval ? Campbelltown v Blacktown (12pm)
University Oval ? Macquarie Uni v Moorebank (12pm)
Pioneers Park ? Saints AFC v Sydney Uni (2:10pm)
Division Four:
Saturday 11th August
Gwawley Oval ? Southern Power v UTS (10am)
Gore Hill Oval ? North Shore v UNSW-ES (10:30am)
Bensons Lane ? NorWest v Gosford (12pm)
University Oval ? Macquarie Uni v Penrith (2pm)
Weldon Oval ? Manly-Warringah v Holroyd-Parramatta (2:10pm)
Division Five:
Saturday 11th August
Harrington Park ? Camden v Holroyd-Parramatta (12pm)
Pioneers Pak ? Saints AFC v Penrith (12pm)
Village Green ? UNSW-ES v UTS (12pm)
BYE ? Moorebank, Sydney Uni.
Under 18s One:
Saturday 11th August
Gore Hill Oval ? North Shore v UNSW-ES (8:30am)
Kelso Oval ? St George v St Ignatius Riverview (10am)
Sydney Uni No 1 Oval ? Sydney Uni v Sydney Hills (10am)
Picken Oval ? Western Suburbs v Illawarra (12:30pm)
BYE ? Penrith, Pennant Hills.
Under 18s Two:
Saturday 11th August
Bruce Purser Reserve ? Sydney Hills v Balmain (9am)
Bensons Lane ? NorWest v Macquarie Uni (10am)
Pioneers Park ? Saints AFC v Holroyd-Parramatta (10am)
Rosedale Oval ? Moorebank v Manly-Warringah (12pm)
BYE ? Southern Power.
Women:
Saturday 11th August
Henson Park ? Newtown v Macquarie Uni (9am)
Henson Park ? UNSW v UTS (11am)
Henson Park ? Penrith v Wollongong (1pm)
Henson Park ? Sydney Uni v Southern Power (3pm)
Henson Park ? Western Wolves v Balmain (5pm)
BYE ? Auburn.
Article and Photos by Michael Shillito
We?ve made it to August, and the finals are not far away. Six teams remain in the fight for the finals; but with spot, the top three and the top five still up for grabs, there?s plenty of interest in the remaining rounds.
The weekend saw Sydney bathed in glorious sunshine, and conditions were good. And there were some critical games involving finals contenders.
Sunday afternoon at Henson Park saw Balmain take on UNSW-ES. The Dockers were looking for a win to keep themselves in the hunt for the double-chance in the finals; while the Bulldogs were looking to maintain top spot on the ladder.
But it was hard to see the Bulldogs being anywhere near minor premiership contenders in the first quarter, as the Dockers wasted no time in getting an early jump. From Aaron Cottrell finding himself at the end of a chain of handballs to snap the first goal, the Dockers were in control throughout the opening quarter. Cottrell had plenty of action during the quarter and would add three goals, one a clever snap from an impossible angle as he was awarded a 50 metre penalty, but the advantage goal was awarded. Ben Taggart scored twice for the quarter, as the Dockers scored nine straight goals and led by 31 points at quarter time.
The Bulldogs had been blown out of the contest by the Balmain speed and accuracy. Late in the third term, having struggled to get a possession in the first 20 minutes of the game, the Bulldogs began to attempt a fightback; but some poor finishing would let them down. And the trend continued in the second term, as the Bulldogs kicked a string of behinds before Josh Parmenter finally stopped the rot with a strong mark under the posts.
But Parmenter?s goal would be a rare highlight in the first half for the Bulldogs, as the Dockers again took control. The possession flow had become more even, but the Dockers made far better use of their opportunities. Even when forced out wide in the second quarter, they couldn?t miss their shots at goal, with Ben Taggart converting three goals in the second term from a similar tight angle next to the south-eastern light tower.
The Bulldogs had their chances, but with the exception of a sensational solo effort by Dane Rampe to smother and re-gather and snap a goal, behinds would let them down. By the time the half time siren sounded, the Bulldogs had more scoring shots but found themselves 39 points behind. Early in the third term, the margin extended beyond 40 points, and the game looked all decided. Despite a late fightback by the Bulldogs in time-on of the third term, the Dockers still held a 28-point advantage at the last change.
But out of nowhere, an unlikely comeback was launched. And when it came, it came quickly.
The Bulldogs were still 29 points behind at the five minute mark, with each side having scored one goal for the quarter. But when Max Collett blazed away on the run from the 50 metre line, the Bulldogs lifted.
Leigh Lavery, the competition?s leading goal-scorer, showed his strength as he grabbed a contested mark at the edge of the square and then kicked truly. Max Collett intercepted a kick-in to mark 55 metres out, but after being unable to find a lead, he launched a torpedo that went straight through. And at the 18 minute mark, Peter Kefalas on the half-forward line spotted Ben Way unmarked at the shadow of the post and delivered a pinpoint pass. Way went back, took his kick, and suddenly the Bulldogs were in front.
But the Dockers weren?t going to take defeat lying down. Twice they went long towards the goal, only for the ball to be marked on the line by the UNSW-ES defenders to relieve the pressure. But it was third time lucky, as Cottrell burst through a scramble on the forward line and slammed through his fifth and most important goal for the day, to restore the lead for Balmain.
The pressure was on, as the Bulldogs searched for a winner. But set shots in the final minute to Gulden and Collett sailed agonisingly wide of the big sticks; and the final siren sounded to give the Dockers an important four-goal win.
Ben Taggart finished with six goals for the Dockers while Aaron Cottrell contributed five. Gerard Wilkie, Shelby Lee-Steere and Taggart were among Balmain?s best. For the Bulldogs, Josh Parmenter and Leigh Lavery kicked four goals apiece; Dane Rampe, Stephen Benjamin and Josh Parmenter being among their best.
Another match between two finals contenders was at Waverley Oval on Saturday afternoon, with UTS hosting North Shore. When the two sides had played at Gore Hill earlier in the season, the Bats pulled off a stunning one-point win. And this one would also go down to the wire.
The Bombers had the better of the early exchanges, with four early goals as they cruised to an 18-point quarter time lead. But the Bats tightened the game up in the second term. The second quarter wasn?t one that reached any great heights, and no goals were scored in a scrappy exhibition of football, with the Bombers 19 points clear at half time.
The Bats had scored only one goal in the first half, and the task of getting back into the game looked a hard ask. But the Bats emerged from the rooms for the third quarter a new side, with plenty of run and immediately took to the task of getting back into the contest. And they wasted no time, with four goals in the first 15 minutes to take the lead. The Bombers steadied to regain the lead and hold a two point advantage at the last change. Again in the last quarter the Bats took the lead, but the Bombers had the answers when it mattered with two late goals to record a hard-fought eight point win.
Doug Hadden, Sam Naismith and Matt Thomas were among North Shore?s best, while the Bats were well served by David Lavender, Justin Kenna and Scott Tregoning. North Shore find themselves well placed for a run at the double-chance in the finals; but the Bats will need to quickly rediscover some form or face the risk of falling out of the top five.
St George needed a win to keep themselves in the finals race when they took on Campbelltown at Kelso Oval on Saturday afternoon. And it was mission accomplished in style when the Dragons took control from the start and dominated throughout to win by 159 points.
Signalling their intentions from the start, the Dragons raced out of the blocks with a run of seven goals to one in the first term to lead by 40 points at quarter time. Attacking options were rare for the Blues, and they would be prevented from having any hopes of clawing back some ground in the contest as they were unable to score their second goal until during the final quarter.
Six unanswered goals to the Dragons saw them leading by 80 points at half time, and the third quarter was even more one-sided than the second as the Dragons added another eight; and with a 129-point lead at the last change, the Dragons were content to put their cue in the rack in the last quarter and cruise to a comfortable and percentage-boosting win.
The Dragons had plenty of attacking options, with Alex Wynn and Jason Saddington each contributing seven goals to the St George cause; while Nick Ryan scored six. The Dragons had plenty of winners around the ground, with Alex Wynn, Steven Wilsen and Dean Gilbert the pick of them. On another hard afternoon for Campbelltown, Brenton Sommerville, Bryce Joynson and Joel Wheeler kept putting in all day. The win sees St George just one game behind UTS and with a superior percentage; and next week?s game between the Dragons and the Bats could well turn into effectively an early elimination final.
Pennant Hills returned to form on Saturday night at Bruce Purser Reserve, as they snapped a two-game losing streak with a 78-point win over Sydney Hills Eagles.
The Eagles had been stuggling for form, but came out breathing fire early and threatened to derail the Demons. The Eagles had three early goals on the board, and denied the Demons any attacking opportunities to take a shock 10-point quarter time lead. But the second term saw the Demons lift, and finally the attacking options began to present themselves. Four unanswered goals saw the Demons take the lead, and hold a 19-point advantage at the long break.
There was no way back for the Eagles in the premiership quarter, as the Pennant Hills defence tightened to refuse the Eagles any attacking options. The Eagles were held to one point for the quarter, while at the other end the Demons added four goals to open up a 46-point lead at three quarter time. It was one-sided in the last quarter, with the Demons adding six goals to one to ensure a percentage-boosting win for the Demons.
Kieran Wright, Sam Widmer and Stephen Wray were prominent performers all evening for the Demons; keeping them in contention for the double-chance in the finals. For the Eagles, Scott Pierce, Damon Steer and James Mann picked up plenty of the ball.
The bottom two teams, Wests and Sydney Uni, took to Henson Park for a rare morning game, desperate to keep themselves off the bottom of the ladder. And it was the Magpies who would prevail, getting their second win of the season and one step closer to avoiding the dreaded wooden spoon.
A positive start by the Magpies saw them kick five goals to two for the opening quarter, putting themselves in the lead and although the Students at times threatened to get back into the contest, they were never able to take the lead. The margin was 21 points in favour of the Magpies at quarter time, and despite a late charge by the Students in the second term, the Magpies were still eight points clear at half time.
The third quarter was low-scoring, desperation stakes football as both sides strained and searched for an edge that would take them to an elusive win. But the Magpies had a slight advantage, with two goals to one that saw the Magpies take a 17-point lead into the huddle at the last change. And despite the Students having the ball on their forward line for much of the last quarter, the Magpies hung on to take a hard-earned nine point win.
Scott Lear, Tim Lambert and Ryan Hinson were among Wests? best, on a day that will do much to boost the morale around their club. For the Students, Dane Robertson, Jeff Melville and Scott Snodgrass worked hard all day.
The countdown to the finals continues next weekend, and there?s some more critical games. Top spot will be on the line when North Shore host UNSW-ES at Gore Hill, while the winner of the St George v UTS game will go into the top five.
Balmain 9.0 13.1 14.5 16.8 (104)
Uni NSW-Eastern Suburbs 3.5 5.10 8.13 14.16 (100)
Goals : Balmain ? B Taggart 6, A Cottrell 5, L Conway 2, S Lee-Steere, B Plug, J Cass. UNSW-ES ? J Parmenter 4, L Lavery 4, M Collett 3, D Rampe, H Nichols, B Way.
Best : Balmain ? G Wilkie, S Lee-Steere, B Taggart, J Monk, A Cottrell, K Pearson. UNSW-ES ? D Rampe, S Benjamin, J Parmenter, J Robbie, S Tagliabue, P Kefalas.
At Henson Park, Sunday 5th August 2012.
North Shore 4.2 4.7 5.10 7.12 (54)
University of Technology 1.2 1.6 5.8 6.10 (46)
Goals : North Shore ? S Naismith 3, D Hadden 2, Z Manley, J Davis. UTS ? D Lavender 2, M Davis 2, S Chadwick, S Kinross.
Best : North Shore ? D Hadden, S Naismith, M Thomas, R Wason, D Fitzgerald, J Weir. UTS ? D Lavender, J Jenna, S Tregoning, R Hanmore, J Hume, T Nixon.
At Waverley Oval, Saturday 4th August 2012.
St George 7.4 13.10 21.13 26.20 (176)
Campbelltown 1.0 1.2 1.4 2.5 (17)
Goals : St George - A Wynn 7, J Saddington 7, N Ryan 6, B Addison 2, D Ryan, P Sain, D Lycakis, J West. Campbelltown ? M Linsen 2.
Best : St George ? A Wynn, S Wilsen, D Gilbert, M Jones, B Guthrie, R Bajeda. Campbelltown ? B Sommerville, B Joynson, J Wheeler, P Simpson, J Watkins, B Martin.
At Kelson Oval, Saturday 4th August 2012.
Pennant Hills 1.4 5.9 9.13 15.17 (107)
Sydney Hills Eagles 3.2 3.2 3.3 4.5 (29)
Goals : Pennant Hills ? S Wray 3, J Barty 2, M Carey 2, P Barnes 2, T Wales, L Bilbe, A Goodall, K Wright, B Unwin, T Rivers. Sydney Hills ? D Killworth, M Clinch, B Trewin, A Foxall.
Best : Pennant Hills ? K Wright, S Widmer, S Wray, A Goodall, T Wales, Brant Jack. Sydney Hills ? S Pierce, D Steer, J Mann, H Bond, J Gordon, T Psysick.
At Bruce Purser Reserve, Saturday 4th August 2012.
Western Suburbs 5.4 6.5 8.9 9.11 (65)
Sydney University 2.1 5.3 6.4 8.8 (56)
Goals : Wests ? B Mumme 3, M Eurell 3, R Chowanetz, S Hudson, K Currie. Sydney Uni ? J Lawson 2, R MacPherson, M Carey, A Dyson, C Fleetwood, B Fitzpatrick, T Air.
Best : Wests ? S Lear, T Lambert, R Hinson, S Hudson, L Roehrig, B Mumme. Sydney Uni ? D Roberton, J Melville, S Snodgrass, R Kennedy, A Dyson, J Doughty.
At Henson Park, Saturday 4th August 2012.
| Play | Won | Draw | Lost | For | Agnst | Pts | %age | Strk | |
| North Shore | 15 | 13 | 0 | 2 | 1,701 | 771 | 86.67 | 220.62 | W5 |
| UNSW-ES | 15 | 13 | 0 | 2 | 1,747 | 816 | 86.67 | 214.09 | L1 |
| Pennant Hills | 16 | 13 | 0 | 3 | 1,595 | 911 | 81.25 | 175.08 | W1 |
| Balmain | 15 | 12 | 0 | 3 | 1,733 | 933 | 80.00 | 185.74 | W7 |
| UTS | 16 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 1,354 | 1,149 | 62.50 | 117.84 | L2 |
| St George | 15 | 9 | 0 | 6 | 1,544 | 1,127 | 60.00 | 137.00 | W2 |
| Sydney Hills | 15 | 4 | 0 | 11 | 883 | 1,463 | 26.67 | 60.36 | L1 |
| Illawarra | 15 | 4 | 0 | 11 | 930 | 1,554 | 26.67 | 59.85 | L5 |
| Campbelltown | 16 | 3 | 0 | 13 | 818 | 1,951 | 18.75 | 41.93 | L1 |
| Western Suburbs | 15 | 2 | 0 | 13 | 795 | 1,613 | 13.33 | 49.29 | W1 |
| Sydney Uni | 15 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 762 | 1,574 | 6.67 | 48.41 | L8 |
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:
North Shore 8.15 (63) d UTS 5.11 (41)
Holroyd-Parramatta 15.16 (106) d Western Suburbs 6.4 (40)
Southern Power 14.8 (92) d Macquarie Uni 3.3 (21)
Penrith 7.22 (64) d UNSW-ES 3.7 (25)
Pennant Hills 9.3 (57) d Sydney Hills 3.9 (27)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? Manly-Warringah (100, 622.15%), Southern Power (93.33, 334.17%), Holroyd-Parramatta (66.67, 113.62%), UTS (62.5, 127.39%), Penrith (53.33, 81.96%), North Shore (40, 75.90%), UNSW-ES (33.33, 62.78%), Macquarie Uni (31.25, 78.39%), Pennant Hills (31.25, 49.92%), Sydney Hills (26.67, 62.49%), Wests (13.33, 44.49%).
Division Two:
Sydney Uni d Auburn ? forfeit
Camden 11.3 (69) d St George 10.8 (68)
Manly-Warringah 14.9 (93) d Illawarra 4.6 (30)
NorWest 17.8 (110) d Moorebank 5.7 (37)
UNSW-ES 10.7 (67) d Balmain 4.4 (28)
Ladder ? Sydney Uni (52, 139.27%), Manly-Warringah (40, 149.25%), UNSW-ES (40, 135.68%), NorWest (40, 132.86%), Balmain (40, 118.68%), St George (36, 124.09%), Camden (36, 111.06%), Moorebank (20, 90.60%), Illawarra (12, 64.10%), Auburn (4, 27.22%).
Division Three:
UTS 25.23 (173) d Moorebank 0.2 (2)
Southern Power 10.14 (74) d Western Suburbs 4.11 (35)
Macquarie Uni 12.10 (82) d Campbelltown 10.11 (71)
Saints AFC 25.20 (170) d Sydney Hills 4.4 (28)
Blacktown 11.9 (75) d Sydney Uni 3.14 (32)
Ladder ? UTS (56, 451.66%), Blacktown (52, 249.04%), Sydney Uni (52, 243.71%), Saints AFC (44, 234.05%), Southern Power (36, 133.69%), Wests (24, 59.35%), Macquarie Uni (20, 55.15%), Campbelltown (20, 42.38%), Sydney Hills (12, 39.36%), Moorebank (4, 24.78%).
Division Four:
UTS 24.13 (157) d Holroyd-Parramatta 2.5 (17)
NorWest 10.8 (68) d North Shore 6.16 (52)
Macquarie Uni 11.6 (72) drew Southern Power 11.6 (72)
Gosford 16.14 (110) d Manly-Warringah 4.4 (28)
Penrith 11.10 (76) d UNSW-ES 2.3 (15)
Ladder ? Gosford (56, 298.84%), UTS (56, 250.52%), Penrith (52, 237.90%), UNSW-ES (44, 157.73%), NorWest (28, 76.09%), North Shore (24, 66.51%), Manly-Warringah (20, 63.41%), Holroyd-Parramatta (16, 47.21%), Southern Power (14, 42.32%), Macquarie Uni (10, 45.15%).
Division Five:
Moorebank 9.17 (71) d Penrith 5.7 (37)
Saints AFC 13.13 (91) d UTS 6.6 (42)
Sydney Uni 14.15 (99) d UNSW-ES 8.6 (54)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? Sydney Uni (80, 211.95%), Camden (78.57, 172.44%), UTS (67.86, 154.95%), Saints AFC (64.29, 163.77%), Moorebank (57.14, 134.72%), UNSW-ES (46.43, 112.83%), Penrith (28.57, 62.67%), Holroyd-Parramatta (14.29, 36.47%).
Under 18s One:
Sydney Hills 15.17 (107) d Pennant Hills 2.3 (15)
St Ignatius Riverview 9.14 (68) d North Shore 4.7 (31)
UNSW-ES 18.16 (124) d Penrith 0.4 (4)
Sydney Uni 27.13 (175) d Western Suburbs 1.3 (9)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? Sydney Hills (96.15, 351.72%), Sydney Uni (75, 169.15%), Illawarra (73.08, 161.47%), Pennant Hills (61.54, 131.65%), St George (53.85, 131.62%), UNSW-ES (53.85, 104.64%), North Shore (41.67, 135.36%), Wests (25, 43.95%), Riverview (23.08, 84.91%), Penrith (0, 10.40%).
Under 18s Two:
Manly-Warringah 13.16 (94) d Holroyd-Parramatta 5.4 (34)
Southern Power 9.8 (62) d Macquarie Uni 4.6 (30)
Sydney Hills 19.15 (129) d Saints AFC 3.7 (25)
NorWest 6.6 (42) d Moorebank 5.4 (34)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? Southern Power (92.86, 452.77%), Balmain (76.92, 209.62%), Manly-Warringah (69.23, 196.74%), NorWest (53.85, 147.94%), Moorebank (53.85, 82.96%), Macquarie Uni (50, 116.24%), Sydney Hills (30.77, 80.77%), Holroyd-Parramatta (15.38, 46.94%), Saints AFC (7.14, 11.81%).
Women:
Penrith 6.10 (46) drew Auburn 7.4 (46)
Sydney Uni 11.12 (78) d Newtown 5.3 (33)
Western Wolves 4.7 (31) d Wollongong 3.4 (22)
Balmain 17.16 (118) d UNSW 3.4 (22)
Macquarie Uni 3.9 (27) d Southern Power 4.1 (25)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? Balmain (100, 744.79%), Wollongong (76.92, 327.41%), Sydney Uni (69.23, 274.85%), Western Wolves (69.23, 237.22%), Newtown (53.85, 126.59%), UNSW (53.85, 103.72%), Macquarie Uni (53.85, 93.48%), Southern Power (30.77, 78.12%), UTS (23.08, 19.30%), Auburn (17.86, 20.51%), Penrith (3.85, 13.97%).
THE RUN HOME
Three weeks to go, and four of our top five teams are confirmed. But the order is still very much up for grabs, with just one game separating first from fourth.
North Shore have a narrow percentage lead over UNSW-ES, and a further percentage gap to Pennant Hills. But the Demons have the bye this week, while the Bombers and Bulldogs play each other; so the winner of that game will go top of the ladder. North Shore have games against finalists still to come, while UNSW-ES have easier games in the last two rounds.
Balmain are a game behind the top three, with a percentage better than Pennant Hills but inferior to North Shore and UNSW-ES. The Dockers have a chance to add to their percentage this week when they pay Campbelltown; but their hopes of the double chance will likely be decided the following week when they play North Shore.
UTS are two games behind Balmain, now just one game clear of St George and with an inferior percentage. The Bats and Dragons play each other this week. With the Bats only having one more game after this week, a St George win in that game would put the Dragons in the box seat to qualify for this year?s finals.
The remaining games for the teams still in contention are:
North Shore (52, 220.62%) ? UNSW-ES (Gore Hill), Balmain (Henson), Pennant Hills (Gore Hill).
UNSW-ES (52, 214.09%) ? North Shore (Gore Hill), Sydney Hills (Village Green), Sydney Uni (Village Green).
Pennant Hills (52, 175.08%) ? bye, Wests (Mike Kenny), North Shore (Gore Hill).
Balmain (48, 185.74%) ? Campbelltown (Monarch), North Shore (Henson), St George (Kelso).
UTS (40, 117.84%) ? St George (Kelso), bye, Illawarra (North Dalton).
St George (36, 137.00%) ? UTS (Kelso), Illawarra (Kelso), Balmain (Kelso).
NEXT WEEK?S MATCHES (Lurker?s Kiss of Death in bold)
Premier Division:
Saturday 11th August
Sydney Uni No 1 Oval ? Sydney Uni v Sydney Hills (12pm)
Monarch Oval ? Campbelltown v Balmain (2:10pm)
Kelso Oval ? St George v UTS (2:10pm)
Gore Hill Oval ? North Shore v UNSW-ES (2:30pm)
Picken Oval ? Western Suburbs v Illawarra (2:30pm)
BYE ? Pennant Hills.
Division One:
Saturday 11th August
Picken Oval ? Western Suburbs v Manly-Warringah (10:30am)
Bruce Purser Reserve ? Sydney Hills v Holroyd-Parramatta (11am)
Gore Hill Oval ? North Shore v UNSW-ES (12:30pm)
Gwawley Oval ? Southern Power v UTS (2:10pm)
University Oval ? Macquarie Uni v Penrith (4:10pm)
BYE ? Pennant Hills.
Division Two:
Saturday 11th August
Village Green ? UNSW-ES v Auburn (10am)
North Dalton Oval ? Illawarra v Moorebank (12pm)
Kelso Oval ? St George v Manly-Warringah (12pm)
Bensons Lane ? NorWest v Sydney Uni (2:10pm)
Harrington Park ? Camden v Balmain (2:10pm)
Division Three:
Saturday 11th August
Picken Oval ? Western Suburbs v Sydney Hills (8:30am)
Gwawley Oval ? Southern Power v UTS (12pm)
Monarch Oval ? Campbelltown v Blacktown (12pm)
University Oval ? Macquarie Uni v Moorebank (12pm)
Pioneers Park ? Saints AFC v Sydney Uni (2:10pm)
Division Four:
Saturday 11th August
Gwawley Oval ? Southern Power v UTS (10am)
Gore Hill Oval ? North Shore v UNSW-ES (10:30am)
Bensons Lane ? NorWest v Gosford (12pm)
University Oval ? Macquarie Uni v Penrith (2pm)
Weldon Oval ? Manly-Warringah v Holroyd-Parramatta (2:10pm)
Division Five:
Saturday 11th August
Harrington Park ? Camden v Holroyd-Parramatta (12pm)
Pioneers Pak ? Saints AFC v Penrith (12pm)
Village Green ? UNSW-ES v UTS (12pm)
BYE ? Moorebank, Sydney Uni.
Under 18s One:
Saturday 11th August
Gore Hill Oval ? North Shore v UNSW-ES (8:30am)
Kelso Oval ? St George v St Ignatius Riverview (10am)
Sydney Uni No 1 Oval ? Sydney Uni v Sydney Hills (10am)
Picken Oval ? Western Suburbs v Illawarra (12:30pm)
BYE ? Penrith, Pennant Hills.
Under 18s Two:
Saturday 11th August
Bruce Purser Reserve ? Sydney Hills v Balmain (9am)
Bensons Lane ? NorWest v Macquarie Uni (10am)
Pioneers Park ? Saints AFC v Holroyd-Parramatta (10am)
Rosedale Oval ? Moorebank v Manly-Warringah (12pm)
BYE ? Southern Power.
Women:
Saturday 11th August
Henson Park ? Newtown v Macquarie Uni (9am)
Henson Park ? UNSW v UTS (11am)
Henson Park ? Penrith v Wollongong (1pm)
Henson Park ? Sydney Uni v Southern Power (3pm)
Henson Park ? Western Wolves v Balmain (5pm)
BYE ? Auburn.