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SYDNEY AFL ROUND 18 2012
Just two weeks to go till the finals, and every week throws up new twists in the race for the finals. With just one game separating first from fourth, the battles for top spot and the double-chance remain up for grabs and probably won?t be known for sure until the final round.
But at Gore Hill Oval on Saturday afternoon, North Shore put themselves in pole position; and their fate is now in their own hands without needing to depend on other results.
Top spot was on the line at Gore Hill, with North Shore taking on UNSW-ES. The game started with the ball being bounced by Frank Kalayzich, the veteran umpire in his 450th game; a tribute to his remarkable longevity in the game. Kalayzich?s umpiring career began before many of the players in this game were born.
The Bulldogs started quickly and had two goals on the board within a few minutes, but the Bombers pegged them back to level the scores at quarter time. The defences were on top in the first half, and the Bulldogs took a narrow eight-point lead into the rooms at half time.
The premiership quarter would prove decisive. Within minutes of the restart, the Bombers had taken the lead. Running the ball from end to end with ease, and finding targets up forward, it was a quarter to remember for North Shore as the half time deficit was turned into an 18-point lead at the last change.
The Bulldogs had been shocked by North Shore?s control of the third quarter; and there would be no way back in the final quarter. The bounce of the ball was running North Shore?s way, and the Bombers weren?t letting go. An entertaining final quarter saw the Bombers add six goals to three, the final winning margin for the Bombers being a comfortable 38 points.
Jack Davis was influential up forward for the Bombers to finish with four goals; and along with Brendan Fitzgerald and Ron Wason were among North Shore?s best. For the Bulldogs, Max Collett, Ian Carroll and Peter Kefalas picked up plenty of the ball during the afternoon.
With the win, North Shore go a game clear on top; and their strong second half has also opened up a handy percentage gap over the Bulldogs. But the Bombers have a tough draw to finish the home and away season, with games against Balmain and Pennant Hills to come; while the Bulldogs have potential percentage-boosting results against Sydney Hills and Sydney Uni in their last two rounds. North Shore, a game clear, only have to win their last two games to take out the minor premiership. But if the Bombers slip up in either or both of those games, there are three teams ready to pounce; and while they currently are top of the ladder, they haven?t avoided sudden death in the finals yet.
At Kelso Oval, a battle to enter the finals saw St George take on UTS. But the battle became a demolition, as the Dragons controlled the game from the outset and denied the Bats any way into the contest.
The Bats scored an early goal, but it would be their only major for the day. Although the Dragons were only 13 points in front at quarter time, the flow of play around the ground made it clear that St George were on top and exerting scoreboard pressure was only a matter of time. And sure enough, the floodgates opened in the second quarter and the Dragons added seven goals to extend their lead to 59 points at half time.
The Dragons already had a superior percentage to UTS, but saw a chance to further extend that advantage during a one-sided second half. The Bats tried desperately to stop the scoreboard leaking any further, and held the Dragons to four goals in the third quarter. But there was no stopping St George in the last quarter, seven unanswered goals blowing the final margin out to a convincing 125 points.
Jason Saddington on the forward line was the spearhead of the Dragon forward line, finishing with five goals; but the Dragons were happy to spread the goal-scoring honours around, with 14 of their number registering goals during the game. Around the ground, Blake Guthrie, David Lycakis and Stephen Wilsen picked up a stack of possessions and were instrumental in the St George domination. On a difficult afternoon for the Bats, Tom Steinfort, Fergus Adamson and Liam Flanagan continued to work hard.
With the win, St George enter the top five, with a percentage far superior to that of UTS. The Bats have the bye next week; so unless UTS win their last game and St George drop both of their last two games, St George will be in this year?s finals.
With Pennant Hills having the bye, Balmain had a chance to leap-frog the Demons into third place; but to do it, the Dockers needed to beat Campbelltown at Monarch on Saturday afternoon.
But the Blues proved hard to overcome early, matching the more highly-fancied Dockers around the ground during the first quarter and taking a shock quarter time lead. And the Balmain frustration threatened to build up as some kickable shots at goal sailed wide of the big sticks during the second quarter. But weight of possession was starting to run Balmain?s way, and some goals late in the quarter saw the Dockers leading by 17 points at the long break.
But it was during the premiership quarter that the Dockers got going with the fluency they were looking for. The midfield, well held in the first half, began to break free and the floodgates opened on the scoreboard. Seven goals to two stretched the lead out to 49 points at the last change; and the Dockers went on with the job in the last quarter with an eight-goal term to extend the final winning margin out to 89 points.
Ben Taggart and Aaron Cottrell finished with six goals apiece for the Dockers; Cottrell, along with Daniel Brian and Travis Stevens being among Balmain?s best. For Campbelltown, Marcus Linsen, Bryce Joynson and Taran Etto were among their best.
With the win, Balmain sit in third place on percentage, their percentage less than UNSW-ES but better than Pennant Hills. But won?t be an easy run home for the Dockers, with matches against North Shore and St George to come.
Wests? finals hopes ended months ago, but the Magpies are looking to finish the season on a positive note; and they went a step closer to achieving that when they won their second game on the trot, a 19-point win over Illawarra at Picken Oval on Saturday afternoon.
The Magpies burst out of the blocks, but were their own worst enemy in the first quarter as their goal-kicking accuracy would let them down badly. A return of 2.7 for the quarter saw the Magpies leading by only 12 points at quarter time when the run of play suggested it should have been greater. And they would have cause for concern at their lost opportunities as Illawarra put in a strong second quarter to reduce the margin to only four points at half time.
But the third quarter would prove pivotal to the outcome of the game. Finally the Wests? game plan clicked, and the Lions were left behind. Even though more chances were missed, a return of 4.5 for the quarter, while holding the Lions to one goal, opened the margin out to 27 points at the last change. And although the Lions won the last quarter, they were never a chance to steal the game.
It was a day for the experienced Magpies to step up, and Stephen Hudson, Matt Eurell and Clinton McGrath were among Wests? best. For Illawarra, Joshua Tier, Jacob Brookfield and Jimmy Weavers worked hard all afternoon. With two wins on the trot, the Magpies have avoided the wooden spoon; and are just one game behind Illawarra, who have lost their last six games.
It was a lunch-time start at Sydney Uni No 1 for the two NEAFL-aligned teams, Sydney Uni taking on Sydney Hills Eagles. But it would turn out to be another match where the third quarter would prove decisive. When the two sides played at Bruce Purser earlier this season, the Eagles came from behind to snatch a win; and history would repeat this time.
The Students, bottom of the ladder going into the game, were desperate for a win; and early signs were encouraging for the Students. In a low-scoring first quarter in which only four goals were kicked, the Students broke away to an 11-point quarter time lead; and the Students worked hard in the second quarter to remain in front by the same margin at the long break.
But the Eagles come out a different side after half time, displaying far more pace and skill than they had shown in the first half of the game. Suddenly the goals began to flow, with the Eagles racing the ball down the corridor of the small University ground with ease. Seven goals to two for the quarter for the Eagles saw the half time deficit turned into a 20-point lead. And they would go on with the job in the last quarter, with five goals to two, to record a 39-point win.
Kyall Walford and Jared Patira kicked four goals apiece; Walford, along with Mitchell Baker and Ashley Moeller being among the Eagles? best. For the Students, Jordan McCreary, Chris Reichman and Andrew MacPherson were among their best. Despite Sydney Uni?s strong first half; this result, combined with Wests? win at Picken Oval, gives the Students the wooden spoon for 2012.
Next week sees an important game on Sunday, when Balmain host North Shore in a game that may well prove decisive to determine who gets the top three finish and the double-chance in the finals. UNSW-ES, Pennant Hills and St George are also in action; but will need to be on their guard against the possibility of upsets that could throw finals calculations out.
North Shore 2.2 3.5 8.11 14.14 (98)
Uni NSW-Eastern Suburbs 2.2 4.7 5.7 8.12 (60)
Goals : North Shore ? J Davis 4, D Schacher 2, P Codling, N Todd, P Brackin, L Pryor, L Kilpatrick, B Fitzgerald, Z Manley, S Naismith. UNSW-ES ? M Rawlinson 3, S Benjamin, J Parmenter, A Gulden, L Lavery, B Way.
Best : North Shore ? B Fitzgerald, R Wason, J Davis, S Naismith, T Schmidt, D Hadden. UNSW-ES ? M Collett, I Carroll, P Kefalas, J Robbie, B Way, D Rampe.
At Gore Hill Oval, Saturday 11th August 2012.
St George 3.3 10.7 14.10 21.14 (140)
University of Technology 1.2 1.2 1.7 1.9 (15)
Goals : St George - J Saddington 5, N Ryan 2, D Lycakis 2, B Jones 2, N Kenny, J West, T Addison, B Sharp, L Broome, B Addison, P Sain, M Graham, A Wynn, S Wilsen. UTS ? M Davis.
Best : St George ? B Guthrie, D Lycakis, S Wilsen, P Sain, N Kenny, B Jones. UTS ? T Steinfort, F Adamson, L Flanagan, S Tregoning, S Kinross, D McFarlane.
At Kelso Oval, Saturday 11th August 2012.
Balmain 3.1 6.8 13.13 21.18 (144)
Campbelltown 3.2 4.3 6.6 8.7 (55)
Goals : Balmain ? B Taggart 6, A Cottrell 6, S White 2, S Lee-Steere 2, A Hill, S Wallwork, L Conway, M Round, C Bayer. Campbelltown ? D Linsen 3, M Linsen 2, H Sherwood, B Joynson, K Menteleone.
Best : Balmain ? D Brian, T Stevens, A Cottrell, S Lee-Steere, M Round, G King. Campbelltown ? M Linsen, B Joynson, T Etto, P Mahina, B Sommerville, D Linsen.
At Monarch Oval, Saturday 11th August 2012.
Western Suburbs 2.7 4.7 8.12 10.14 (74)
Illawarra 1.1 4.3 5.3 8.7 (55)
Goals : Wests ? J Codd-Miller 2, M Eurell 2, R Miller 2, S Hudson, J Newbury, K Currie, C McGrath. Illawarra ? R Price 3, W Edmed, K Ewen-Chappell, J Weavers, R Oehme, J Hogarth.
Best : Wests ? S Hudson, M Eurell, C McGrath, S Lear, J Scott, J Zoppo. Illawarra ? J Tier, J Brookfield, J Weavers, D Jefferis, R Price, M Bates.
At Picken Oval, Saturday 11th August 2012.
Sydney Hills Eagles 1.3 3.7 10.9 15.14 (104)
Sydney University 3.2 5.6 7.7 9.9 (63)
Goals : Sydney Hills ? J Patira 4, K Walford 4, A Moeller 2, M Clinch 2, J Shephard, M Baker, M Stevens. Sydney Uni ? L Godfrey 3, R MacPherson 2, N Carter, S Power, J McCreary, T Aitken.
Best : Sydney Hills ? K Walford, M Baker, A Moeller, J Patira, E Okunbor, R Fitton. Sydney Uni ? J McCreary, C Reichman, A MacPherson, L McWhirter, S Snodgrass, J Doughty.
At Sydney Uni No 1 Oval, Saturday 11th August 2012.
Black - Confirmed finallists
Green - Currently in a finals position, but not yet guaranteed a place in the finals
Blue - Not currently in a finals position, but still a chance to qualify
Purple - Will not be competing in the finals
Red - Wooden spoon, probable relegation
Division One:
Manly-Warringah 17.16 (118) d Western Suburbs 2.1 (13)
Holroyd-Parramatta 11.8 (74) d Sydney Hills 3.10 (28)
North Shore 10.9 (69) d UNSW-ES 2.5 (17)
UTS 7.7 (49) d Southern Power 4.11 (35)
Penrith 8.14 (62) d Macquarie Uni 5.6 (36)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? Manly-Warringah (100, 634.08%), Southern Power (87.5, 307.79%), Holroyd-Parramatta (68.75, 118.75%), UTS (64.71, 127.91%), Penrith (56.25, 85.23%), North Shore (43.75, 81.14%), UNSW-ES (31.25, 60.73%), Pennant Hills (31.25, 49.92%), Macquarie Uni (29.41, 77.20%), Sydney Hills (25, 60.90%), Wests (12.5, 41.93%).
Division Two:
UNSW-ES d Auburn ? forfeit
St George 13.14 (92) d Manly-Warringah 1.5 (11)
Moorebank 4.14 (38) d Illawarra 3.10 (28)
NorWest 12.12 (84) d Sydney Uni 0.6 (6)
Camden 24.12 (156) d Balmain 1.3 (9)
Ladder ? Sydney Uni (52, 136.10%), UNSW-ES (44, 146.09%), NorWest (44, 141.43%), Manly-Warringah (40, 135.16%), St George (40, 133.83%), Camden (40, 124.74%), Balmain (40, 102.40%), Moorebank (24, 91.49%), Illawarra (12, 64.38%), Auburn (4, 26.62%).
Division Three:
Western Suburbs 10.13 (73) d Sydney Hills 6.4 (40)
Southern Power 7.9 (51) d UTS 5.7 (37)
Blacktown 22.24 (156) d Campbelltown 1.0 (6)
Macquarie Uni 10.15 (75) d Moorebank 4.8 (32)
Saints AFC 6.6 (42) drew Sydney Uni 6.6 (42)
Ladder ? UTS (56, 410.57%), Blacktown (56, 271.29%), Sydney Uni (54, 234.37%), Saints AFC (46, 226.93%), Southern Power (40, 133.84%), Wests (28, 63.12%), Macquarie Uni (24, 58.86%), Campbelltown (20, 39.38%), Sydney Hills (12, 40.12%), Moorebank (4, 25.53%).
Division Four:
UTS 13.11 (89) d Southern Power 1.1 (7)
UNSW-ES 6.14 (50) d North Shore 6.6 (42)
Gosford 16.13 (109) d NorWest 7.6 (48)
Penrith 16.24 (120) d Macquarie Uni 3.3 (21)
Manly-Warringah 6.18 (54) d Holroyd-Parramatta 4.9 (33)
Ladder ? Gosford (60, 293.58%), UTS (60, 261.00%), Penrith (56, 248.83%), UNSW-ES (48, 155.76%), NorWest (28, 73.46%), North Shore (24, 67.17%), Manly-Warringah (24, 65.93%), Holroyd-Parramatta (16, 47.69%), Southern Power (14, 40.12%), Macquarie Uni (10, 43.03%).
Division Five:
Camden 18.17 (125) d Holroyd-Parramatta 6.8 (44)
Saints AFC 10.4 (64) d Penrith 7.8 (50)
UNSW-ES 10.10 (70) d UTS 4.12 (36)
Ladder ? Camden (48, 197.38%), Sydney Uni (44, 211.95%), Saints AFC (36, 161.14%), Moorebank (36, 144.91%), UTS (34, 145.50%), UNSW-ES (30, 116.17%), Penrith (16, 63.49%), Holroyd-Parramata (8, 36.36%).
Under 18s One:
UNSW-ES 13.13 (91) d North Shore 2.7 (19)
St George 7.12 (54) d St Ignatius Riverview 5.7 (37)
Sydney Hills 13.13 (91) d Sydney Uni 5.7 (37)
Illawarra 16.16 (112) d Western Suburbs 4.2 (26)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? Sydney Hills (96.43, 343.64%), Illawarra (75, 171.76%), Sydney Uni (69.23, 153.54%), Pennant Hills (61.54, 131.47%), St George (57.14, 132.30%), UNSW-ES (57.14, 113.13%), North Shore (38.46, 122.31%), Wests (23.08, 41.97%), Riverview (21.43, 83.91%), Penrith (0, 10.40%).
Under 18s Two:
Balmain 19.13 (127) d Sydney Hills 7.12 (54)
Macquarie Uni 6.11 (47) d NorWest 5.8 (38)
Holroyd-Parramatta d Saints AFC ? forfeit
Manly-Warringah 14.10 (94) d Moorebank 7.12 (54)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? Southern Power (92.86, 452.77%), Balmain (78.57, 211.63%), Manly-Warringah (71.43, 194.81%), Macquarie Uni (53.33, 116.55%), NorWest (50, 143.28%), Moorebank (50, 80.71%), Sydney Hills (28.57, 76.33%), Holroyd-Parramatta (21.43, 54.20%), Saints AFC (6.67, 11.35%).
Women:
Newtown 5.3 (33) d Macquarie Uni 3.2 (20)
UNSW 12.6 (78) d UTS 1.2 (8)
Wollongong 17.15 (117) d Penrith 0.2 (2)
Sydney Uni 10.9 (69) d Southern Power 0.3 (3)
Balmain 5.9 (39) d Western Wolves 1.5 (11)
Ladder (Final) ? Balmain (52, 723.65%), Wollongong (44, 369.73%), Sydney Uni (40, 293.09%), Western Wolves (36, 216.79%), Newtown (32, 128.01%), UNSW (32, 115.91%), Macquarie Uni (28, 91.47%), Southern Power (16, 69.49%), UTS (12, 18.70%), Auburn (10, 20.51%), Penrith (2, 12.96%).
THE RUN HOME
Just one win separates first from fourth, the battle for top spot and the double chance still remaining up for grabs.
North Shore are a game plus percentage clear, so their fate is in their own hands; if they keep winning, no-one else can catch them. But the Bombers have two tough games to finish.
UNSW-ES, Balmain and Pennant Hills are all one game behind North Shore. UNSW-ES have the best percentage of the three; and also have an easier draw to finish, with two games they should win and with the potential to increase their percentage. Balmain and Pennant Hills have a game against North Shore to come. If North Shore lose either of their last two games, UNSW-ES may be able to get their percentage ahead of the Bombers to take the minor premiership.
Even if North Shore win their last two games to claim the minor premiership, the margins could be important. Balmain currently have a better percentage than Pennant Hills; but the gap could be catchable, especially if Pennant Hills have a big win against Wests.
The battle for fifth spot has swung firmly St George?s way. If St George win either of their last two games, they will be in the finals. UTS have the bye next week, and can only make the finals if they win their last game and the Dragons drop both of theirs.
North Shore (56, 216.49%) ? Balmain (Henson), Pennant Hills (Gore Hill).
UNSW-ES (52, 197.70%) ?Sydney Hills (Village Green), Sydney Uni (Village Green).
Balmain (52, 189.98%) ? North Shore (Henson), St George (Kelso).
Pennant Hills (52, 175.08%) ? Wests (Mike Kenny), North Shore (Gore Hill).
St George (40, 147.46%) ? Illawarra (Kelso), Balmain (Kelso).
UTS (40, 106.21%) ? bye, Illawarra (North Dalton).
NEXT WEEK?S FIXTURES (Lurker?s Kiss of Death in bold)
Premier Division:
Saturday 18th August
Henson Park ? Sydney Uni v Campbelltown (2:10pm)
Kelso Oval ? St George v Illawarra (2:10pm)
Mike Kenny Oval ? Pennant Hills v Western Suburbs (2:10pm)
Village Green ? UNSW-ES v Sydney Hills (2:10pm)
Sunday 19th August
Henson Park ? Balmain v North Shore (2:10pm)
BYE ? UTS.
Division One:
Saturday 18th August
Village Green ? UNSW-ES v Sydney Hills (11:30am)
Mike Kenny Oval ? Pennant Hills v Western Suburbs (12pm)
Gipps Rd Oval ? Holroyd-Parramatta v Macquarie Uni (2:10pm)
Greygums Oval ? Penrith v North Shore (2:30pm)
Weldon Oval ? Manly-Warringah v Southern Power (5:10pm)
BYE ? UTS
Division Two:
Saturday 18th August
Weldon Oval ? Manly-Warringah v UNSW-ES (11am)
Rosedale Oval ? Moorebank v Sydney Uni (11:30am)
Kelso Oval ? St George v Illawarra (12pm)
Bensons Lane ? NorWest v Balmain (2:10pm)
Mona Park ? Auburn v Camden (2:10pm)
Division Three:
Saturday 18th August
Bruce Purser Reserve ? Sydney Hills v Moorebank (12pm)
Henson Park ? Sydney Uni v Campbelltown (12pm)
Wagener Oval ? Western Suburbs v Saints AFC (12pm)
University Oval ? Macquarie Uni v UTS (2:10pm)
The Ponds ? Blacktown v Southern Power (6pm)
Division Four:
Saturday 18th August
Bensons Lane ? NorWest v UTS (12pm)
Gipps Rd Oval ? Holroyd-Parramatta v Macquarie Uni (12pm)
Greygums Oval ? Penrith v North Shore (12:30pm)
Adcock Park ? Gosford v UNSW-ES (1pm)
Weldon Oval ? Manly-Warringah v Southern Power (1pm)
Division Five:
Saturday 18th August
Gipps Rd Oval ? Holroyd-Parramatta v Saints AFC (8:30am)
Greygums Oval ? Penrith v UNSW-ES (8:30am)
Rosedale Oval ? Moorebank v Sydney Uni (9:30am)
Mahoney Park ? UTS v Camden (12pm)
Under 18s One:
Saturday 18th August
Village Green ? UNSW-ES v Sydney Hills (9:30am)
Kelso Oval ? St George v Illawarra (10am)
Mike Kenny Oval ? Pennant Hills v Western Suburbs (10am)
Greygums Oval ? Penrith v Sydney Uni (10:30am)
BYE ? North Shore, St Ignatius Riverview
Under 18s Two:
Saturday 18th August
Bensons Lane ? NorWest v Sydney Hills (10am)
Gipps Rd Oval ? Holroyd-Parramatta v Macquarie Uni (10:30am)
Weldon Oval ? Manly-Warringah v Southern Power (2pm)
Sunday 19th August
Henson Park ? Balmain v Moorebank (12pm)
BYE ? Saints AFC
Women:
Rosedale Oval, Saturday 18th August
Elimination Final 1- Western Wolves v Newtown (1:40pm)
Elimination Final 2 ? Sydney Uni v UNSW (3:40pm)
Just two weeks to go till the finals, and every week throws up new twists in the race for the finals. With just one game separating first from fourth, the battles for top spot and the double-chance remain up for grabs and probably won?t be known for sure until the final round.
But at Gore Hill Oval on Saturday afternoon, North Shore put themselves in pole position; and their fate is now in their own hands without needing to depend on other results.
Top spot was on the line at Gore Hill, with North Shore taking on UNSW-ES. The game started with the ball being bounced by Frank Kalayzich, the veteran umpire in his 450th game; a tribute to his remarkable longevity in the game. Kalayzich?s umpiring career began before many of the players in this game were born.
The Bulldogs started quickly and had two goals on the board within a few minutes, but the Bombers pegged them back to level the scores at quarter time. The defences were on top in the first half, and the Bulldogs took a narrow eight-point lead into the rooms at half time.
The premiership quarter would prove decisive. Within minutes of the restart, the Bombers had taken the lead. Running the ball from end to end with ease, and finding targets up forward, it was a quarter to remember for North Shore as the half time deficit was turned into an 18-point lead at the last change.
The Bulldogs had been shocked by North Shore?s control of the third quarter; and there would be no way back in the final quarter. The bounce of the ball was running North Shore?s way, and the Bombers weren?t letting go. An entertaining final quarter saw the Bombers add six goals to three, the final winning margin for the Bombers being a comfortable 38 points.
Jack Davis was influential up forward for the Bombers to finish with four goals; and along with Brendan Fitzgerald and Ron Wason were among North Shore?s best. For the Bulldogs, Max Collett, Ian Carroll and Peter Kefalas picked up plenty of the ball during the afternoon.
With the win, North Shore go a game clear on top; and their strong second half has also opened up a handy percentage gap over the Bulldogs. But the Bombers have a tough draw to finish the home and away season, with games against Balmain and Pennant Hills to come; while the Bulldogs have potential percentage-boosting results against Sydney Hills and Sydney Uni in their last two rounds. North Shore, a game clear, only have to win their last two games to take out the minor premiership. But if the Bombers slip up in either or both of those games, there are three teams ready to pounce; and while they currently are top of the ladder, they haven?t avoided sudden death in the finals yet.
At Kelso Oval, a battle to enter the finals saw St George take on UTS. But the battle became a demolition, as the Dragons controlled the game from the outset and denied the Bats any way into the contest.
The Bats scored an early goal, but it would be their only major for the day. Although the Dragons were only 13 points in front at quarter time, the flow of play around the ground made it clear that St George were on top and exerting scoreboard pressure was only a matter of time. And sure enough, the floodgates opened in the second quarter and the Dragons added seven goals to extend their lead to 59 points at half time.
The Dragons already had a superior percentage to UTS, but saw a chance to further extend that advantage during a one-sided second half. The Bats tried desperately to stop the scoreboard leaking any further, and held the Dragons to four goals in the third quarter. But there was no stopping St George in the last quarter, seven unanswered goals blowing the final margin out to a convincing 125 points.
Jason Saddington on the forward line was the spearhead of the Dragon forward line, finishing with five goals; but the Dragons were happy to spread the goal-scoring honours around, with 14 of their number registering goals during the game. Around the ground, Blake Guthrie, David Lycakis and Stephen Wilsen picked up a stack of possessions and were instrumental in the St George domination. On a difficult afternoon for the Bats, Tom Steinfort, Fergus Adamson and Liam Flanagan continued to work hard.
With the win, St George enter the top five, with a percentage far superior to that of UTS. The Bats have the bye next week; so unless UTS win their last game and St George drop both of their last two games, St George will be in this year?s finals.
With Pennant Hills having the bye, Balmain had a chance to leap-frog the Demons into third place; but to do it, the Dockers needed to beat Campbelltown at Monarch on Saturday afternoon.
But the Blues proved hard to overcome early, matching the more highly-fancied Dockers around the ground during the first quarter and taking a shock quarter time lead. And the Balmain frustration threatened to build up as some kickable shots at goal sailed wide of the big sticks during the second quarter. But weight of possession was starting to run Balmain?s way, and some goals late in the quarter saw the Dockers leading by 17 points at the long break.
But it was during the premiership quarter that the Dockers got going with the fluency they were looking for. The midfield, well held in the first half, began to break free and the floodgates opened on the scoreboard. Seven goals to two stretched the lead out to 49 points at the last change; and the Dockers went on with the job in the last quarter with an eight-goal term to extend the final winning margin out to 89 points.
Ben Taggart and Aaron Cottrell finished with six goals apiece for the Dockers; Cottrell, along with Daniel Brian and Travis Stevens being among Balmain?s best. For Campbelltown, Marcus Linsen, Bryce Joynson and Taran Etto were among their best.
With the win, Balmain sit in third place on percentage, their percentage less than UNSW-ES but better than Pennant Hills. But won?t be an easy run home for the Dockers, with matches against North Shore and St George to come.
Wests? finals hopes ended months ago, but the Magpies are looking to finish the season on a positive note; and they went a step closer to achieving that when they won their second game on the trot, a 19-point win over Illawarra at Picken Oval on Saturday afternoon.
The Magpies burst out of the blocks, but were their own worst enemy in the first quarter as their goal-kicking accuracy would let them down badly. A return of 2.7 for the quarter saw the Magpies leading by only 12 points at quarter time when the run of play suggested it should have been greater. And they would have cause for concern at their lost opportunities as Illawarra put in a strong second quarter to reduce the margin to only four points at half time.
But the third quarter would prove pivotal to the outcome of the game. Finally the Wests? game plan clicked, and the Lions were left behind. Even though more chances were missed, a return of 4.5 for the quarter, while holding the Lions to one goal, opened the margin out to 27 points at the last change. And although the Lions won the last quarter, they were never a chance to steal the game.
It was a day for the experienced Magpies to step up, and Stephen Hudson, Matt Eurell and Clinton McGrath were among Wests? best. For Illawarra, Joshua Tier, Jacob Brookfield and Jimmy Weavers worked hard all afternoon. With two wins on the trot, the Magpies have avoided the wooden spoon; and are just one game behind Illawarra, who have lost their last six games.
It was a lunch-time start at Sydney Uni No 1 for the two NEAFL-aligned teams, Sydney Uni taking on Sydney Hills Eagles. But it would turn out to be another match where the third quarter would prove decisive. When the two sides played at Bruce Purser earlier this season, the Eagles came from behind to snatch a win; and history would repeat this time.
The Students, bottom of the ladder going into the game, were desperate for a win; and early signs were encouraging for the Students. In a low-scoring first quarter in which only four goals were kicked, the Students broke away to an 11-point quarter time lead; and the Students worked hard in the second quarter to remain in front by the same margin at the long break.
But the Eagles come out a different side after half time, displaying far more pace and skill than they had shown in the first half of the game. Suddenly the goals began to flow, with the Eagles racing the ball down the corridor of the small University ground with ease. Seven goals to two for the quarter for the Eagles saw the half time deficit turned into a 20-point lead. And they would go on with the job in the last quarter, with five goals to two, to record a 39-point win.
Kyall Walford and Jared Patira kicked four goals apiece; Walford, along with Mitchell Baker and Ashley Moeller being among the Eagles? best. For the Students, Jordan McCreary, Chris Reichman and Andrew MacPherson were among their best. Despite Sydney Uni?s strong first half; this result, combined with Wests? win at Picken Oval, gives the Students the wooden spoon for 2012.
Next week sees an important game on Sunday, when Balmain host North Shore in a game that may well prove decisive to determine who gets the top three finish and the double-chance in the finals. UNSW-ES, Pennant Hills and St George are also in action; but will need to be on their guard against the possibility of upsets that could throw finals calculations out.
North Shore 2.2 3.5 8.11 14.14 (98)
Uni NSW-Eastern Suburbs 2.2 4.7 5.7 8.12 (60)
Goals : North Shore ? J Davis 4, D Schacher 2, P Codling, N Todd, P Brackin, L Pryor, L Kilpatrick, B Fitzgerald, Z Manley, S Naismith. UNSW-ES ? M Rawlinson 3, S Benjamin, J Parmenter, A Gulden, L Lavery, B Way.
Best : North Shore ? B Fitzgerald, R Wason, J Davis, S Naismith, T Schmidt, D Hadden. UNSW-ES ? M Collett, I Carroll, P Kefalas, J Robbie, B Way, D Rampe.
At Gore Hill Oval, Saturday 11th August 2012.
St George 3.3 10.7 14.10 21.14 (140)
University of Technology 1.2 1.2 1.7 1.9 (15)
Goals : St George - J Saddington 5, N Ryan 2, D Lycakis 2, B Jones 2, N Kenny, J West, T Addison, B Sharp, L Broome, B Addison, P Sain, M Graham, A Wynn, S Wilsen. UTS ? M Davis.
Best : St George ? B Guthrie, D Lycakis, S Wilsen, P Sain, N Kenny, B Jones. UTS ? T Steinfort, F Adamson, L Flanagan, S Tregoning, S Kinross, D McFarlane.
At Kelso Oval, Saturday 11th August 2012.
Balmain 3.1 6.8 13.13 21.18 (144)
Campbelltown 3.2 4.3 6.6 8.7 (55)
Goals : Balmain ? B Taggart 6, A Cottrell 6, S White 2, S Lee-Steere 2, A Hill, S Wallwork, L Conway, M Round, C Bayer. Campbelltown ? D Linsen 3, M Linsen 2, H Sherwood, B Joynson, K Menteleone.
Best : Balmain ? D Brian, T Stevens, A Cottrell, S Lee-Steere, M Round, G King. Campbelltown ? M Linsen, B Joynson, T Etto, P Mahina, B Sommerville, D Linsen.
At Monarch Oval, Saturday 11th August 2012.
Western Suburbs 2.7 4.7 8.12 10.14 (74)
Illawarra 1.1 4.3 5.3 8.7 (55)
Goals : Wests ? J Codd-Miller 2, M Eurell 2, R Miller 2, S Hudson, J Newbury, K Currie, C McGrath. Illawarra ? R Price 3, W Edmed, K Ewen-Chappell, J Weavers, R Oehme, J Hogarth.
Best : Wests ? S Hudson, M Eurell, C McGrath, S Lear, J Scott, J Zoppo. Illawarra ? J Tier, J Brookfield, J Weavers, D Jefferis, R Price, M Bates.
At Picken Oval, Saturday 11th August 2012.
Sydney Hills Eagles 1.3 3.7 10.9 15.14 (104)
Sydney University 3.2 5.6 7.7 9.9 (63)
Goals : Sydney Hills ? J Patira 4, K Walford 4, A Moeller 2, M Clinch 2, J Shephard, M Baker, M Stevens. Sydney Uni ? L Godfrey 3, R MacPherson 2, N Carter, S Power, J McCreary, T Aitken.
Best : Sydney Hills ? K Walford, M Baker, A Moeller, J Patira, E Okunbor, R Fitton. Sydney Uni ? J McCreary, C Reichman, A MacPherson, L McWhirter, S Snodgrass, J Doughty.
At Sydney Uni No 1 Oval, Saturday 11th August 2012.
| Play | Won | Draw | Lost | For | Agnst | Pts | %age | Strk | |
| North Shore | 16 | 14 | 0 | 2 | 1,799 | 831 | 87.50 | 216.49 | W6 |
| UNSW-ES | 16 | 13 | 0 | 3 | 1,807 | 914 | 81.25 | 197.70 | L2 |
| Balmain | 16 | 13 | 0 | 3 | 1,877 | 988 | 81.25 | 189.98 | W8 |
| Pennant Hills | 16 | 13 | 0 | 3 | 1,595 | 911 | 81.25 | 175.08 | W1 |
| St George | 16 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 1,684 | 1,142 | 62.50 | 147.46 | W3 |
| UTS | 17 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 1,369 | 1,289 | 58.82 | 106.21 | L3 |
| Sydney Hills | 16 | 5 | 0 | 11 | 987 | 1,526 | 31.25 | 64.68 | W1 |
| Illawarra | 16 | 4 | 0 | 12 | 985 | 1,628 | 25.00 | 60.50 | L6 |
| Western Suburbs | 16 | 3 | 0 | 13 | 869 | 1,668 | 18.75 | 52.12 | W2 |
| Campbelltown | 17 | 3 | 0 | 14 | 873 | 2,095 | 17.65 | 41.67 | L2 |
| Sydney Uni | 16 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 825 | 1,678 | 6.25 | 49.17 | L9 |
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:
Manly-Warringah 17.16 (118) d Western Suburbs 2.1 (13)
Holroyd-Parramatta 11.8 (74) d Sydney Hills 3.10 (28)
North Shore 10.9 (69) d UNSW-ES 2.5 (17)
UTS 7.7 (49) d Southern Power 4.11 (35)
Penrith 8.14 (62) d Macquarie Uni 5.6 (36)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? Manly-Warringah (100, 634.08%), Southern Power (87.5, 307.79%), Holroyd-Parramatta (68.75, 118.75%), UTS (64.71, 127.91%), Penrith (56.25, 85.23%), North Shore (43.75, 81.14%), UNSW-ES (31.25, 60.73%), Pennant Hills (31.25, 49.92%), Macquarie Uni (29.41, 77.20%), Sydney Hills (25, 60.90%), Wests (12.5, 41.93%).
Division Two:
UNSW-ES d Auburn ? forfeit
St George 13.14 (92) d Manly-Warringah 1.5 (11)
Moorebank 4.14 (38) d Illawarra 3.10 (28)
NorWest 12.12 (84) d Sydney Uni 0.6 (6)
Camden 24.12 (156) d Balmain 1.3 (9)
Ladder ? Sydney Uni (52, 136.10%), UNSW-ES (44, 146.09%), NorWest (44, 141.43%), Manly-Warringah (40, 135.16%), St George (40, 133.83%), Camden (40, 124.74%), Balmain (40, 102.40%), Moorebank (24, 91.49%), Illawarra (12, 64.38%), Auburn (4, 26.62%).
Division Three:
Western Suburbs 10.13 (73) d Sydney Hills 6.4 (40)
Southern Power 7.9 (51) d UTS 5.7 (37)
Blacktown 22.24 (156) d Campbelltown 1.0 (6)
Macquarie Uni 10.15 (75) d Moorebank 4.8 (32)
Saints AFC 6.6 (42) drew Sydney Uni 6.6 (42)
Ladder ? UTS (56, 410.57%), Blacktown (56, 271.29%), Sydney Uni (54, 234.37%), Saints AFC (46, 226.93%), Southern Power (40, 133.84%), Wests (28, 63.12%), Macquarie Uni (24, 58.86%), Campbelltown (20, 39.38%), Sydney Hills (12, 40.12%), Moorebank (4, 25.53%).
Division Four:
UTS 13.11 (89) d Southern Power 1.1 (7)
UNSW-ES 6.14 (50) d North Shore 6.6 (42)
Gosford 16.13 (109) d NorWest 7.6 (48)
Penrith 16.24 (120) d Macquarie Uni 3.3 (21)
Manly-Warringah 6.18 (54) d Holroyd-Parramatta 4.9 (33)
Ladder ? Gosford (60, 293.58%), UTS (60, 261.00%), Penrith (56, 248.83%), UNSW-ES (48, 155.76%), NorWest (28, 73.46%), North Shore (24, 67.17%), Manly-Warringah (24, 65.93%), Holroyd-Parramatta (16, 47.69%), Southern Power (14, 40.12%), Macquarie Uni (10, 43.03%).
Division Five:
Camden 18.17 (125) d Holroyd-Parramatta 6.8 (44)
Saints AFC 10.4 (64) d Penrith 7.8 (50)
UNSW-ES 10.10 (70) d UTS 4.12 (36)
Ladder ? Camden (48, 197.38%), Sydney Uni (44, 211.95%), Saints AFC (36, 161.14%), Moorebank (36, 144.91%), UTS (34, 145.50%), UNSW-ES (30, 116.17%), Penrith (16, 63.49%), Holroyd-Parramata (8, 36.36%).
Under 18s One:
UNSW-ES 13.13 (91) d North Shore 2.7 (19)
St George 7.12 (54) d St Ignatius Riverview 5.7 (37)
Sydney Hills 13.13 (91) d Sydney Uni 5.7 (37)
Illawarra 16.16 (112) d Western Suburbs 4.2 (26)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? Sydney Hills (96.43, 343.64%), Illawarra (75, 171.76%), Sydney Uni (69.23, 153.54%), Pennant Hills (61.54, 131.47%), St George (57.14, 132.30%), UNSW-ES (57.14, 113.13%), North Shore (38.46, 122.31%), Wests (23.08, 41.97%), Riverview (21.43, 83.91%), Penrith (0, 10.40%).
Under 18s Two:
Balmain 19.13 (127) d Sydney Hills 7.12 (54)
Macquarie Uni 6.11 (47) d NorWest 5.8 (38)
Holroyd-Parramatta d Saints AFC ? forfeit
Manly-Warringah 14.10 (94) d Moorebank 7.12 (54)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? Southern Power (92.86, 452.77%), Balmain (78.57, 211.63%), Manly-Warringah (71.43, 194.81%), Macquarie Uni (53.33, 116.55%), NorWest (50, 143.28%), Moorebank (50, 80.71%), Sydney Hills (28.57, 76.33%), Holroyd-Parramatta (21.43, 54.20%), Saints AFC (6.67, 11.35%).
Women:
Newtown 5.3 (33) d Macquarie Uni 3.2 (20)
UNSW 12.6 (78) d UTS 1.2 (8)
Wollongong 17.15 (117) d Penrith 0.2 (2)
Sydney Uni 10.9 (69) d Southern Power 0.3 (3)
Balmain 5.9 (39) d Western Wolves 1.5 (11)
Ladder (Final) ? Balmain (52, 723.65%), Wollongong (44, 369.73%), Sydney Uni (40, 293.09%), Western Wolves (36, 216.79%), Newtown (32, 128.01%), UNSW (32, 115.91%), Macquarie Uni (28, 91.47%), Southern Power (16, 69.49%), UTS (12, 18.70%), Auburn (10, 20.51%), Penrith (2, 12.96%).
THE RUN HOME
Just one win separates first from fourth, the battle for top spot and the double chance still remaining up for grabs.
North Shore are a game plus percentage clear, so their fate is in their own hands; if they keep winning, no-one else can catch them. But the Bombers have two tough games to finish.
UNSW-ES, Balmain and Pennant Hills are all one game behind North Shore. UNSW-ES have the best percentage of the three; and also have an easier draw to finish, with two games they should win and with the potential to increase their percentage. Balmain and Pennant Hills have a game against North Shore to come. If North Shore lose either of their last two games, UNSW-ES may be able to get their percentage ahead of the Bombers to take the minor premiership.
Even if North Shore win their last two games to claim the minor premiership, the margins could be important. Balmain currently have a better percentage than Pennant Hills; but the gap could be catchable, especially if Pennant Hills have a big win against Wests.
The battle for fifth spot has swung firmly St George?s way. If St George win either of their last two games, they will be in the finals. UTS have the bye next week, and can only make the finals if they win their last game and the Dragons drop both of theirs.
North Shore (56, 216.49%) ? Balmain (Henson), Pennant Hills (Gore Hill).
UNSW-ES (52, 197.70%) ?Sydney Hills (Village Green), Sydney Uni (Village Green).
Balmain (52, 189.98%) ? North Shore (Henson), St George (Kelso).
Pennant Hills (52, 175.08%) ? Wests (Mike Kenny), North Shore (Gore Hill).
St George (40, 147.46%) ? Illawarra (Kelso), Balmain (Kelso).
UTS (40, 106.21%) ? bye, Illawarra (North Dalton).
NEXT WEEK?S FIXTURES (Lurker?s Kiss of Death in bold)
Premier Division:
Saturday 18th August
Henson Park ? Sydney Uni v Campbelltown (2:10pm)
Kelso Oval ? St George v Illawarra (2:10pm)
Mike Kenny Oval ? Pennant Hills v Western Suburbs (2:10pm)
Village Green ? UNSW-ES v Sydney Hills (2:10pm)
Sunday 19th August
Henson Park ? Balmain v North Shore (2:10pm)
BYE ? UTS.
Division One:
Saturday 18th August
Village Green ? UNSW-ES v Sydney Hills (11:30am)
Mike Kenny Oval ? Pennant Hills v Western Suburbs (12pm)
Gipps Rd Oval ? Holroyd-Parramatta v Macquarie Uni (2:10pm)
Greygums Oval ? Penrith v North Shore (2:30pm)
Weldon Oval ? Manly-Warringah v Southern Power (5:10pm)
BYE ? UTS
Division Two:
Saturday 18th August
Weldon Oval ? Manly-Warringah v UNSW-ES (11am)
Rosedale Oval ? Moorebank v Sydney Uni (11:30am)
Kelso Oval ? St George v Illawarra (12pm)
Bensons Lane ? NorWest v Balmain (2:10pm)
Mona Park ? Auburn v Camden (2:10pm)
Division Three:
Saturday 18th August
Bruce Purser Reserve ? Sydney Hills v Moorebank (12pm)
Henson Park ? Sydney Uni v Campbelltown (12pm)
Wagener Oval ? Western Suburbs v Saints AFC (12pm)
University Oval ? Macquarie Uni v UTS (2:10pm)
The Ponds ? Blacktown v Southern Power (6pm)
Division Four:
Saturday 18th August
Bensons Lane ? NorWest v UTS (12pm)
Gipps Rd Oval ? Holroyd-Parramatta v Macquarie Uni (12pm)
Greygums Oval ? Penrith v North Shore (12:30pm)
Adcock Park ? Gosford v UNSW-ES (1pm)
Weldon Oval ? Manly-Warringah v Southern Power (1pm)
Division Five:
Saturday 18th August
Gipps Rd Oval ? Holroyd-Parramatta v Saints AFC (8:30am)
Greygums Oval ? Penrith v UNSW-ES (8:30am)
Rosedale Oval ? Moorebank v Sydney Uni (9:30am)
Mahoney Park ? UTS v Camden (12pm)
Under 18s One:
Saturday 18th August
Village Green ? UNSW-ES v Sydney Hills (9:30am)
Kelso Oval ? St George v Illawarra (10am)
Mike Kenny Oval ? Pennant Hills v Western Suburbs (10am)
Greygums Oval ? Penrith v Sydney Uni (10:30am)
BYE ? North Shore, St Ignatius Riverview
Under 18s Two:
Saturday 18th August
Bensons Lane ? NorWest v Sydney Hills (10am)
Gipps Rd Oval ? Holroyd-Parramatta v Macquarie Uni (10:30am)
Weldon Oval ? Manly-Warringah v Southern Power (2pm)
Sunday 19th August
Henson Park ? Balmain v Moorebank (12pm)
BYE ? Saints AFC
Women:
Rosedale Oval, Saturday 18th August
Elimination Final 1- Western Wolves v Newtown (1:40pm)
Elimination Final 2 ? Sydney Uni v UNSW (3:40pm)