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SYDNEY AFL ROUND 4 2013
Article and Photos by Michael Shillito
Every team their Archilles heel; the bogey team that beats them more often than they should. For Sydney Hills Eagles, games against Campbelltown at Bruce Purser Reserve don?t often go their way.
After Bruce Purser was opened in 2009, the Blues were the first team to beat the Eagles there. They did it again in 2010. Last year, in appalling weather on the public holiday, the Blues again emerged with the points.
So historically the trip up the M7 holds no fears for the Blues, and they had plenty of cause for optimism ahead of Sunday afternoon?s clash. Although beaten in their first two games in 2013, the Blues had put up competitive performances; and had put up a real fight against UNSW-ES in their last start.
Meanwhile, a drift of Eagle players to their NEAFL team and elsewhere had tested their Premier Division depth; with the Eagles suffering some heavy defeats in their first three starts.
Sunday saw Bruce Purser Reserve bathed in sunshine, the temperature in the high 20s. Great conditions for footy, the ground hard and fast.
From the opening, Matt Edwins looked keen to make an impact; and showed plenty to excite the Campbelltown faithful early. Having had a couple of years at the Eagles, Edwins returned to the Blues this year; and picked up plenty of possessions in the first quarter to kick-start the Campbelltown charge.
There were plenty of willing Blues to contest every possession, running the Eagles into the ground as the Blues kicked five goals to one in the first term to lead by 26 points at the first change. It was a similar story in the second term, another run of five goals to one; and by the long break the Blues had an advantage of 53 points.
Wins have been few and far between for the Blues in recent seasons; but they had the scent of victory in their nostrils and weren?t letting go. But there was no need to shut the game down and defend.
The Blues were a side rising in confidence, and with self-belief came an ability to attack the ball and send the ball forward to set up scoring chances. And on the forward line, Cameron Desmond was presenting himself as a handy target to spearhead the Campbelltown charge. For the Campbelltown faithful, it was an afternoon to remember as the scoreboard continued to tick over.
With a return of six goals to three in the premiership quarter, the Blues were 68 points clear at the last change. The last quarter was a shootout, as the Eagles kicked six goals in an attempt to restore some respectability to the scoreboard; but the Blues still won the quarter.
The final siren sounded, and Campbelltown had won by 75 points; the biggest win by the Blues in many a long year. Cameron Desmond and Matt Edwins finished with five goals apiece; while Mitchell Hogan, Taran Etto and Edwins were among the many Blues winners around the ground. For the Eagles, James Regan, Ryan Fitton and Damien Charleston continued to toil hard all afternoon.
The Blues had emerged with their first win of the season; and with the confidence gained by such a convincing result, there may be plenty more to come.
The round had begun on ANZAC Day, with a clash between Wests and Balmain at Picken Oval. And it would be a result that shows how quickly things can change in Sydney footy.
Last year Balmain won the ANZAC Day clash by a huge margin, on their way to a Grand Final appearance. But this time round, the Magpies dominated from start to finish, taking out an 87-point victory to remain undefeated so far in 2013.
The Magpies stormed out of the blocks, and held a 21-point lead at quarter time; a margin that could have been even greater had it not been for some wasteful finishing in front of goal. The Magpies kicked 6.9 in the first term; and with a return of 5.6 in the second quarter, the Magpies had been clearly superior but held a 41-point lead when it could have been much higher.
The premiership quarter was a Wests? exhibition, as the resurgent Magpies put on a one-sided display of footy, leaving the Dockers chasing the game in vain. Six goals to one for the quarter put the issue beyond doubt, as by three quarter time the margin had been extended to 73 points. By then the sting had gone out of the contest, but the Magpies continued to apply the pressure with five goals to three in the final term.
Rory Miller finished with seven goals for the Magpies, Matt Eurell and Chris Bolt contributing four goals apiece; while Levi Sands, Tim Lambert and Marcus Linsen were ball magnets all afternoon. For the Dockers, Joel Gray, Jerome Farrell and Aaron Cottrell were among their best.
Two undefeated teams were in action at the Village Green on Saturday afternoon, as defending champions UNSW-ES played host to North Shore. And it would be the Bombers who would keep their undefeated status intact with a 46-point victory.
It was goal for goal early, with the Bombers holding an 11-point advantage at the first change. But although they were missing chances up forward, the Bombers would remain in front for the remainder of the contest. The second term was a hard-fought affair, at times tensions spilling over after some hard hits. With ten points in it at the long break, the game was in the balance.
Early in the third quarter, the Bombers attempted to create a match-winning advantage; and midway through the quarter they were out to a five-goal lead. But the Bulldogs refused to lie down, cutting the margin to 21 points at the last change and with the first goal in the final term, momentum could have swung the Bulldogs? way.
But the North Shore defence held firm, and the pendulum swung to the Bombers in the closing stages of the game. The floodgates opened during time-on, with the Bombers kicking the last five goals of the match to blow the final margin out in a game that for much of the afternoon looked set to be far closer.
Danny Roberts was unstoppable on the forward line for the Bombers, finishing with six goals; while Doug Hadden provided valuable support to add four. Hadden was the Bombers? best, with Brendan Fitzgerald and Sam Jackson also making important contributions. For the Bulldogs, Ryan Plant, Max Collett and Peter Kefalas were among their best.
Pennant Hills returned to the winning list, and dished out Sydney Uni?s first loss of the season; with the Demons untroubled in recording a convincing win at Mike Kenny Oval on Saturday afternoon.
The result was set up in the first quarter, as the Demons got the early break and set up what was already a match-winning lead. The Demons kicked six first quarter goals while holding the Students scoreless; and with a 43-point advantage, the fate of the game already looked determined.
The Students broke their duck in the second quarter, which was more evenly contested; but the Students were unable to make any dent in the deficit and found themselves 51 points in arrears at the long break.
There would be no respite for the Students in the third term, as the Demons continued their one-sided display. Five goals to one in the premiership quarter had put the result well and truly beyond doubt and the final quarter was little more than a countdown to a Demon celebration of four valuable competition points.
The final margin was 83 points, a fair reflection of the Demons putting on their best performance of the season to date. Alistair Richardson kicked four goals for the Demons, while Matt Thomas, Alex Goodall and Nick Campbell were among their best. On a challenging afternoon for the Students, Cameron Holmes, Alex Dyson and Daniel Risby continued to work all day.
After being out of the ground all last season while work was being carried out, St George returned to Olds Park on Saturday afternoon. And the Dragons would celebrate their return home in style, with a comfortable 58-point win over Illawarra.
It was the Nick Ryan Show in the first half, as the big Dragon forward took a stranglehold on the match with six goals in the first half. The Dragons had a 15-point lead at quarter time, and by the long break the home side?s advantage had been extended to 31 points.
There would be no way back into the contest in the third quarter; and although the Lions were forced to do whatever they could to keep Ryan quiet, they would still concede three goals to one for the quarter. The Dragons were in control of the contest, and would kick the only two goals of the final quarter to turn the result into a percentage-booster.
Nick Ryan finished with eight goals, easily the best on ground, while Pat McBride and Steven Wilsen were also prominent. For the Lions, Jeremy Daniher, Erin Franklin and Jacob Brookfield were among their best.
The closest game of the round was between the two most recent clubs to be promoted to Premier Division, as UTS took on Manly at Trumper Park on Saturday afternoon. After the divisional structure was introduced in 2009, UTS won the Division One premiership in the first two seasons before being promoted; with Manly winning the next two before they too went up.
It was goal for goal early, two keen combatants wrestling for supremacy. The Bats led by two points at quarter time, and the lead continued to fluctuate in the second term before the Wolves took the upper hand late in the quarter to lead by seven points at half time.
The Wolves had the lead, and would have the answers to any challenges the Bats would issue. Three goals to two in the third term extended the margin to 12 points at three quarter time. Although the Bats were within striking distance, they were unable to regain the lead in the last quarter; and the Wolves? unbeaten recond in their debut Premier Division season would remain intact for another week.
Anthony Robertson kicked four goals for the Wolves, and along with William Brassil and Tyrone Armitage was listed among their best. For UTS, David Lavender kicked four goals; while Michael Murrell, Lachlan Lamont and Fergus Adamson picked up plenty of ball for the Bats.
Campbelltown 5.3 10.6 16.8 23.11 (149)
Sydney Hills Eagles 1.1 2.1 5.6 11.8 (74)
Goals : Campbelltown ? C Desmond 5, M Edwins 5, T Etto 3, B Joynson 2, B Sommerville 2, A Pirika, K Monteleone, C Gordon, N Hudson, M Withers, B Martin. Sydney Hills ? D Killworth 3, A Drinkwater 2, J Regan 2, M Stevens 2.
Best : Campbelltown ? M Hogan, T Etto, M Edwins, C Desmond, B Joynson, P Mahina. Sydney Hills ? J Regan, R Fitton, D Charleston, A Drinkwater, T Baker.
Umpires ? A Langdon, J Bawden, M Geddes.
At Bruce Purser Reserve, Sunday 28th April 2013.
Western Suburbs 6.9 11.15 17.19 22.24 (158)
Balmain 4.0 6.4 7.6 10.9 (69)
Goals : Wests ? R Miller 7, M Eurell 4, C Bolt 4, K Walford 2, J Codd-Miller, S Pearson, P Maxwell, L Roehrig, C Lyons. Balmain ? A Cottrell 2, S Lee-Steere 2, W Blackburne 2, B Plug 2, L Conway, N Whitehead.
Best : Wests ? L Sands, T Lambert, M Linsen, C Bolt, R Miller, R Bamford. Balmain ? J Gray, J Farrell, A Cottrell, M Round, W Blackburne, S Bowen.
Umpires ? W Macarthur, F Kalayzich, M Peck.
At Picken Oval, Thursday 25th April 2013.
North Shore 4.5 7.7 10.12 15.16 (106)
Uni NSW-Eastern Suburbs 3.0 6.3 8.3 9.6 (60)
Goals : North Shore ? D Roberts 6, D Hadden 4, Z Manley, B Fitzgerald, N Todd, J Davis, S Mason. UNSW-ES ? M Towan 4, M Collett, J Parmenter, H Mason, R Troon, C Jourdain.
Best : North Shore ? D Hadden, B Fitzgerald, S Jackson, R Wason, N Todd, D Roberts. UNSW-ES ? R Plant, M Collett, P Kefalas, H Nichols, J Parmenter, A Rodrigues.
Umpires ? J Bailey, P Barron, B Dean.
At Village Green, Saturday 27th April 2013.
Pennant Hills 6.7 9.12 14.16 18.19 (127)
Sydney University 0.0 2.3 3.6 6.8 (44)
Goals : Pennant Hills ? A Richardson 4, A Goodall 2, T Widmer 2, P Barnes 2, L Bilbe 2, N Campbell, B Jack, K Wright, M Carey, M Thomas, J Dunn. Sydney Uni ? B Norton 2, B Taha, A Everett, A O?Dea, B Fitzpatrick.
Best : Pennant Hills ? M Thomas, A Goodall, N Campbell, M Carey, A Richardson, T Widmer. Sydney Uni ? C Holmes, A Dyson, D Risby, A O?Dea, R Geraghty, C Kennedy.
Umpires ? C Fletcher, C Barr, A Kittel.
At Mike Kenny Oval, Saturday 27th April 2013.
St George 4.4 8.9 11.12 13.17 (95)
Illawarra 2.1 4.2 5.5 5.7 (37)
Goals : St George ? N Ryan 8, J Saddington 2, M Jones, L Perris, S Wilsen. Illawarra ? C Cook 2, D McClure, K Ewen-Chappell, E Franklin.
Best : St George ? N Ryan, P McBride, S Wilsen, A Herne, M Milner, M Jones. Illawarra ? J Daniher, E Franklin, J Brookfield, M Bates, D Nolen, J Tier.
Umpires ? S Baker, D Deigan, D Garroway.
At Olds Park, Saturday 27th April 2013.
Manly-Warringah 3.2 8.4 11.4 13.8 (86)
University of Technology 3.4 6.9 8.10 10.12 (72)
Goals : Manly ? A Robertson 4, T Farrelly 2, J Hunter 2, E Burke 2, G Benbow 2, T Armitage. UTS ? D Lavender 4, J Minichiello, M Murrell, A King, S Tregoning, D McFarlane, M Puhle.
Best : Manly ? W Brassil, T Armitage, A Robertson, E Burke, H Webb, H Koch. UTS ? M Murrell, L Lamont, F Adamson, S Way, M Hall, J Hope-Johnstone.
Umpires ? M Gestier, L Hall, L McDonald.
At Trumper Park, Saturday 27th April 2013.
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:
Macquarie Uni 14.15 (99) d Pennant Hills 3.6 (24)
St George 13.9 (87) d Sydney Hills 8.1 (49)
UTS 11.15 (81) d Southern Power 4.6 (30)
UNSW-ES 12.6 (78) d Penrith 11.9 (75)
Holroyd-Parramatta 13.7 (85) d North Shore 7.6 (48)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? UTS (100, 155.30%), St George (100, 134.81%), Southern Power (75, 132.86%), Macquarie Uni (66.67, 133.33%), UNSW-ES (66.67, 104.93%), Holroyd-Parramatta (33.33, 112.50%), Pennant Hills (33.33, 67.95%), Penrith (25, 101.49%), North Shore (25, 77.35%), Sydney Hills (0, 54.49%).
Division Two:
Manly 13.8 (86) d UTS 12.7 (79)
Camden 26.15 (171) d Illawarra 4.6 (30)
Western Suburbs d Balmain ? forfeit
Sydney Uni 13.7 (85) d Moorebank 7.5 (47)
UNSW-ES 26.22 (178) d Auburn 1.1 (7)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? Sydney Uni (100, 372.22%), Wests (100, 210.87%), Manly (100, 138.38%), Camden (75, 176.28%), UTS (50, 159.49%), Moorebank (33.33, 145.05%), UNSW-ES (33.33, 66.67%), Illawarra (25, 49.60%), Auburn (0, 25.51%), Balmain (0, 24.82%).
Division Three:
Western Suburbs 12.9 (81) d Penrith 5.7 (37)
Gosford 25.15 (165) d Macquarie Uni 7.6 (48)
NorWest 16.9 (105) d Southern Power 9.8 (62)
Sydney Uni 19.12 (126) d Campbelltown 3.6 (24)
Randwick City 10.8 (68) d Blacktown 6.13 (49)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? Sydney Uni (100, 251.43%), Blacktown (66.67, 210.06%), Gosford (66.67, 125.59%), Macquarie Uni (66.67, 75.29%), NorWest (50, 118.05%), Southern Power (50, 109.09%), Randwick City (50, 108.23%), Penrith (25, 73.71%), Wests (25, 55.32%), Campbelltown (0, 22.02%).
Division Four:
UTS 14.15 (99) d Pennant Hills 9.4 (58)
Holroyd-Parramatta 9.8 (62) d Manly 6.8 (44)
Moorebank 12.16 (88) d Sydney Hills 5.3 (33)
Sydney Uni 20.15 (135) d North Shore 3.4 (22)
UNSW-ES 14.17 (101) d Macquarie Uni 6.6 (42)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? Moorebank (100, 211.64%), UTS (100, 211.19%), Holroyd-Parramatta (66.67, 188.19%), Sydney Uni (66.67, 179.64%), UNSW-ES (66.67, 126.09%), Sydney Hills (50, 84.45%), Manly (33.33, 73.73%), Pennant Hills (33.33, 62.59%), North Shore (0, 42.01%), Macquarie Uni (0, 34.62%).
Division Five:
UTS 10.8 (68) d Moorebank 9.13 (67)
Holroyd-Parramatta 14.8 (92) d Penrith 5.12 (42)
Camden d Southern Power ? forfeit
Randwick City 16.16 (112) d Blacktown 6.1 (37)
Sydney Uni 11.17 (83) d UNSW-ES 0.3 (3)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? Camden (100, 629.03%), Randwick City (100, 289.13%), UTS (75, 96.07%), Sydney Uni (66.67, 162.31%), Holroyd-Parramatta (66.67, 116.23%), Blacktown (50, 85.92%), Southern Power (25, 87.50%), UNSW-ES (25, 67.39%), Penrith (0, 34.53%), Moorebank (0, 30.25%).
Under 18s One:
Western Suburbs 12.11 (83) d Southern Power 9.3 (57)
North Shore 15.14 (104) d St Ignatius Riverview 3.5 (23)
Pennant Hills 14.12 (96) d Sydney Uni 8.7 (55)
Illawarra 19.10 (124) d St George 8.4 (52)
Sydney Hills 30.15 (195) d Macarthur Giants 4.4 (28)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? Pennant Hills (100, 299.17%), UNSW-ES (100, 127.20%), Illawarra (66.67, 167.20%), Riverview (66.67, 107.18%), Wests (66.67, 103.77%), Sydney Uni (50, 93.92%), North Shore (33.33, 132.89%), Sydney Hills (33.33, 126.81%), St George (33.33, 75.49%), Southern Power (0, 46.09%), Macarthur (0, 18.27%).
Under 18s Two:
Macquarie Uni 26.9 (165) d Randwick City 10.8 (68)
Moorebank 8.8 (56) d Penrith 3.8 (26)
Manly d Sydney Hills ? forfeit
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? Manly (100, 248.94%), Holroyd-Parramatta (100, 225.00%), Macquarie Uni (100, 209.72%), Penrith (50, 183.93%), Balmain (33.33, 92.41%), Moorebank (33.33, 79.89%), Sydney Hills (0, 39.33%), Randwick City (0, 25.60%).
Women Div 1:
UNSW-ES 12.12 (84) d Wollongong 4.0 (24)
Balmain 12.13 (85) d Western Wolves 5.3 (33)
Sydney Uni 12.11 (83) d Newtown 1.3 (9)
Ladder ? UNSW-ES (12, 301.32%), Balmain (8, 240.68%), Sydney Uni (4, 165.15%), Western Wolves (4, 60.10%), Wollongong (0, 38.10%), Newtown (0, 25.85%).
Women Div 2:
Southern Power 4.6 (30) d UTS 1.3 (9)
Macquarie Uni 23.25 (163) d Randwick City 0.0 (0)
Penrith 6.9 (45) d Auburn 5.8 (38)
Ladder ? Southern Power (12, 381.25%), Macquarie Uni (8, infinity%), Penrith (8, 160.00%), UTS (4, 119.23%), Auburn (0, 16.39%), Randwick City (0, 9.58%).
NEXT WEEK?S FIXTURES (Lurker?s Kiss of Death in bold):
Premier Division:
Saturday 4th May
Olds Park ? Pennant Hills v St George (2:10pm)
Sydney Uni No 1 Oval ? Sydney Uni v UTS (2:10pm)
Weldon Oval ? Manly v Sydney Hills (2:10pm)
Village Green ? UNSW-ES v Balmain (2:30pm)
Gore Hill Oval ? North Shore v Western Suburbs (4:10pm)
North Dalton Oval ? Illawarra v Campbelltown (6:10pm)
Division One:
Saturday 4th May
Gore Hill Oval ? North Shore v Macquarie Uni (12pm)
Olds Park ? St George v Pennant Hills (12pm)
Bruce Purser Reserve ? Sydney Hills v Holroyd-Parramatta (2:10pm)
Greygums Oval ? Penrith v UTS (2:10pm)
Gwawley Oval ? Southern Power v UNSW-ES (2:30pm)
Division Two:
Saturday 4th May
Weldon Oval ? Manly v Camden (12pm)
Village Green ? UNSW-ES v Balmain (12:30pm)
Mahoney Park ? Sydney Uni v Auburn (1pm)
Picken Oval ? Western Suburbs v UTS (2:10pm)
North Dalton Oval ? Illawarra v Moorebank (4pm)
Division Three:
Saturday 4th May
Picken Oval ? Western Suburbs v Macquarie Uni (12pm)
Sydney Uni No 1 Oval ? Sydney Uni v Gosford (12pm)
Gwawley Oval ? Southern Power v Randwick City (12:30pm)
The Ponds ? Blacktown v NorWest (2:10pm)
Sunday 5th May
Greygums Oval ? Penrith v Campbelltown (1pm)
Division Four:
Saturday 4th May
Gore Hill Oval ? North Shore v Moorebank (10am)
Weldon Oval ? Manly v Pennant Hills (10am)
Mahoney Park ? Sydney Uni v Macquarie Uni (11am)
Trumper Park ? UTS v Holroyd-Parramatta (2:10pm)
Sunday 5th May
Village Green ? UNSW-ES v Sydney Hills (2:10pm)
Division Five:
Saturday 4th May
Mahoney Park ? Sydney Uni v Moorebank (9am)
Greygums Oval ? Penrith v Randwick City (12pm)
The Ponds ? Blacktown v Camden (12pm)
Trumper Park ? UTS v Holroyd-Parramatta (12pm)
Sunday 5th May
UNSW-ES v Southern Power (12pm)
Under 18s One:
Saturday 4th May
Gwawley Oval ? Southern Power v Sydney Uni (8:30am)
Olds Park ? St George v Sydney Hills (10am)
Village Green ? UNSW-ES v Macarthur Giants (10:30am)
Gore Hill Oval ? North Shore v Western Suburbs (2pm)
North Dalton Oval ? Illawarra v St Ignatius Riverview (2pm)
BYE ? Pennant Hills.
Under 18s Two:
Saturday 4th May
Bruce Purser Reserve ? Sydney Hills v Moorebank (12pm)
Weldon Oval ? Manly v Holroyd-Parramatta (4:45pm)
Sunday 5th May
Greygums Oval ? Penrith v Balmain (11am)
BYE ? Randwick City, Macquarie Uni.
Women Div 1:
Saturday 4th May
Village Green ? UNSW-ES v Balmain (8:30am)
Sydney Uni No 1 Oval ? Sydney Uni v Western Wolves (10am)
Mahoney Park ? Newtown v Wollongong (3pm)
Women Div 2:
Saturday 4th May
Greygums Oval ? Penrith v Macquarie Uni (10am)
Gwawley Oval ? Southern Power v Randwick City (10:30am)
Mona Park ? Auburn v UTS (12pm)
Article and Photos by Michael Shillito
Every team their Archilles heel; the bogey team that beats them more often than they should. For Sydney Hills Eagles, games against Campbelltown at Bruce Purser Reserve don?t often go their way.
After Bruce Purser was opened in 2009, the Blues were the first team to beat the Eagles there. They did it again in 2010. Last year, in appalling weather on the public holiday, the Blues again emerged with the points.
So historically the trip up the M7 holds no fears for the Blues, and they had plenty of cause for optimism ahead of Sunday afternoon?s clash. Although beaten in their first two games in 2013, the Blues had put up competitive performances; and had put up a real fight against UNSW-ES in their last start.
Meanwhile, a drift of Eagle players to their NEAFL team and elsewhere had tested their Premier Division depth; with the Eagles suffering some heavy defeats in their first three starts.
Sunday saw Bruce Purser Reserve bathed in sunshine, the temperature in the high 20s. Great conditions for footy, the ground hard and fast.
From the opening, Matt Edwins looked keen to make an impact; and showed plenty to excite the Campbelltown faithful early. Having had a couple of years at the Eagles, Edwins returned to the Blues this year; and picked up plenty of possessions in the first quarter to kick-start the Campbelltown charge.
There were plenty of willing Blues to contest every possession, running the Eagles into the ground as the Blues kicked five goals to one in the first term to lead by 26 points at the first change. It was a similar story in the second term, another run of five goals to one; and by the long break the Blues had an advantage of 53 points.
Wins have been few and far between for the Blues in recent seasons; but they had the scent of victory in their nostrils and weren?t letting go. But there was no need to shut the game down and defend.
The Blues were a side rising in confidence, and with self-belief came an ability to attack the ball and send the ball forward to set up scoring chances. And on the forward line, Cameron Desmond was presenting himself as a handy target to spearhead the Campbelltown charge. For the Campbelltown faithful, it was an afternoon to remember as the scoreboard continued to tick over.
With a return of six goals to three in the premiership quarter, the Blues were 68 points clear at the last change. The last quarter was a shootout, as the Eagles kicked six goals in an attempt to restore some respectability to the scoreboard; but the Blues still won the quarter.
The final siren sounded, and Campbelltown had won by 75 points; the biggest win by the Blues in many a long year. Cameron Desmond and Matt Edwins finished with five goals apiece; while Mitchell Hogan, Taran Etto and Edwins were among the many Blues winners around the ground. For the Eagles, James Regan, Ryan Fitton and Damien Charleston continued to toil hard all afternoon.
The Blues had emerged with their first win of the season; and with the confidence gained by such a convincing result, there may be plenty more to come.
The round had begun on ANZAC Day, with a clash between Wests and Balmain at Picken Oval. And it would be a result that shows how quickly things can change in Sydney footy.
Last year Balmain won the ANZAC Day clash by a huge margin, on their way to a Grand Final appearance. But this time round, the Magpies dominated from start to finish, taking out an 87-point victory to remain undefeated so far in 2013.
The Magpies stormed out of the blocks, and held a 21-point lead at quarter time; a margin that could have been even greater had it not been for some wasteful finishing in front of goal. The Magpies kicked 6.9 in the first term; and with a return of 5.6 in the second quarter, the Magpies had been clearly superior but held a 41-point lead when it could have been much higher.
The premiership quarter was a Wests? exhibition, as the resurgent Magpies put on a one-sided display of footy, leaving the Dockers chasing the game in vain. Six goals to one for the quarter put the issue beyond doubt, as by three quarter time the margin had been extended to 73 points. By then the sting had gone out of the contest, but the Magpies continued to apply the pressure with five goals to three in the final term.
Rory Miller finished with seven goals for the Magpies, Matt Eurell and Chris Bolt contributing four goals apiece; while Levi Sands, Tim Lambert and Marcus Linsen were ball magnets all afternoon. For the Dockers, Joel Gray, Jerome Farrell and Aaron Cottrell were among their best.
Two undefeated teams were in action at the Village Green on Saturday afternoon, as defending champions UNSW-ES played host to North Shore. And it would be the Bombers who would keep their undefeated status intact with a 46-point victory.
It was goal for goal early, with the Bombers holding an 11-point advantage at the first change. But although they were missing chances up forward, the Bombers would remain in front for the remainder of the contest. The second term was a hard-fought affair, at times tensions spilling over after some hard hits. With ten points in it at the long break, the game was in the balance.
Early in the third quarter, the Bombers attempted to create a match-winning advantage; and midway through the quarter they were out to a five-goal lead. But the Bulldogs refused to lie down, cutting the margin to 21 points at the last change and with the first goal in the final term, momentum could have swung the Bulldogs? way.
But the North Shore defence held firm, and the pendulum swung to the Bombers in the closing stages of the game. The floodgates opened during time-on, with the Bombers kicking the last five goals of the match to blow the final margin out in a game that for much of the afternoon looked set to be far closer.
Danny Roberts was unstoppable on the forward line for the Bombers, finishing with six goals; while Doug Hadden provided valuable support to add four. Hadden was the Bombers? best, with Brendan Fitzgerald and Sam Jackson also making important contributions. For the Bulldogs, Ryan Plant, Max Collett and Peter Kefalas were among their best.
Pennant Hills returned to the winning list, and dished out Sydney Uni?s first loss of the season; with the Demons untroubled in recording a convincing win at Mike Kenny Oval on Saturday afternoon.
The result was set up in the first quarter, as the Demons got the early break and set up what was already a match-winning lead. The Demons kicked six first quarter goals while holding the Students scoreless; and with a 43-point advantage, the fate of the game already looked determined.
The Students broke their duck in the second quarter, which was more evenly contested; but the Students were unable to make any dent in the deficit and found themselves 51 points in arrears at the long break.
There would be no respite for the Students in the third term, as the Demons continued their one-sided display. Five goals to one in the premiership quarter had put the result well and truly beyond doubt and the final quarter was little more than a countdown to a Demon celebration of four valuable competition points.
The final margin was 83 points, a fair reflection of the Demons putting on their best performance of the season to date. Alistair Richardson kicked four goals for the Demons, while Matt Thomas, Alex Goodall and Nick Campbell were among their best. On a challenging afternoon for the Students, Cameron Holmes, Alex Dyson and Daniel Risby continued to work all day.
After being out of the ground all last season while work was being carried out, St George returned to Olds Park on Saturday afternoon. And the Dragons would celebrate their return home in style, with a comfortable 58-point win over Illawarra.
It was the Nick Ryan Show in the first half, as the big Dragon forward took a stranglehold on the match with six goals in the first half. The Dragons had a 15-point lead at quarter time, and by the long break the home side?s advantage had been extended to 31 points.
There would be no way back into the contest in the third quarter; and although the Lions were forced to do whatever they could to keep Ryan quiet, they would still concede three goals to one for the quarter. The Dragons were in control of the contest, and would kick the only two goals of the final quarter to turn the result into a percentage-booster.
Nick Ryan finished with eight goals, easily the best on ground, while Pat McBride and Steven Wilsen were also prominent. For the Lions, Jeremy Daniher, Erin Franklin and Jacob Brookfield were among their best.
The closest game of the round was between the two most recent clubs to be promoted to Premier Division, as UTS took on Manly at Trumper Park on Saturday afternoon. After the divisional structure was introduced in 2009, UTS won the Division One premiership in the first two seasons before being promoted; with Manly winning the next two before they too went up.
It was goal for goal early, two keen combatants wrestling for supremacy. The Bats led by two points at quarter time, and the lead continued to fluctuate in the second term before the Wolves took the upper hand late in the quarter to lead by seven points at half time.
The Wolves had the lead, and would have the answers to any challenges the Bats would issue. Three goals to two in the third term extended the margin to 12 points at three quarter time. Although the Bats were within striking distance, they were unable to regain the lead in the last quarter; and the Wolves? unbeaten recond in their debut Premier Division season would remain intact for another week.
Anthony Robertson kicked four goals for the Wolves, and along with William Brassil and Tyrone Armitage was listed among their best. For UTS, David Lavender kicked four goals; while Michael Murrell, Lachlan Lamont and Fergus Adamson picked up plenty of ball for the Bats.
Campbelltown 5.3 10.6 16.8 23.11 (149)
Sydney Hills Eagles 1.1 2.1 5.6 11.8 (74)
Goals : Campbelltown ? C Desmond 5, M Edwins 5, T Etto 3, B Joynson 2, B Sommerville 2, A Pirika, K Monteleone, C Gordon, N Hudson, M Withers, B Martin. Sydney Hills ? D Killworth 3, A Drinkwater 2, J Regan 2, M Stevens 2.
Best : Campbelltown ? M Hogan, T Etto, M Edwins, C Desmond, B Joynson, P Mahina. Sydney Hills ? J Regan, R Fitton, D Charleston, A Drinkwater, T Baker.
Umpires ? A Langdon, J Bawden, M Geddes.
At Bruce Purser Reserve, Sunday 28th April 2013.
Western Suburbs 6.9 11.15 17.19 22.24 (158)
Balmain 4.0 6.4 7.6 10.9 (69)
Goals : Wests ? R Miller 7, M Eurell 4, C Bolt 4, K Walford 2, J Codd-Miller, S Pearson, P Maxwell, L Roehrig, C Lyons. Balmain ? A Cottrell 2, S Lee-Steere 2, W Blackburne 2, B Plug 2, L Conway, N Whitehead.
Best : Wests ? L Sands, T Lambert, M Linsen, C Bolt, R Miller, R Bamford. Balmain ? J Gray, J Farrell, A Cottrell, M Round, W Blackburne, S Bowen.
Umpires ? W Macarthur, F Kalayzich, M Peck.
At Picken Oval, Thursday 25th April 2013.
North Shore 4.5 7.7 10.12 15.16 (106)
Uni NSW-Eastern Suburbs 3.0 6.3 8.3 9.6 (60)
Goals : North Shore ? D Roberts 6, D Hadden 4, Z Manley, B Fitzgerald, N Todd, J Davis, S Mason. UNSW-ES ? M Towan 4, M Collett, J Parmenter, H Mason, R Troon, C Jourdain.
Best : North Shore ? D Hadden, B Fitzgerald, S Jackson, R Wason, N Todd, D Roberts. UNSW-ES ? R Plant, M Collett, P Kefalas, H Nichols, J Parmenter, A Rodrigues.
Umpires ? J Bailey, P Barron, B Dean.
At Village Green, Saturday 27th April 2013.
Pennant Hills 6.7 9.12 14.16 18.19 (127)
Sydney University 0.0 2.3 3.6 6.8 (44)
Goals : Pennant Hills ? A Richardson 4, A Goodall 2, T Widmer 2, P Barnes 2, L Bilbe 2, N Campbell, B Jack, K Wright, M Carey, M Thomas, J Dunn. Sydney Uni ? B Norton 2, B Taha, A Everett, A O?Dea, B Fitzpatrick.
Best : Pennant Hills ? M Thomas, A Goodall, N Campbell, M Carey, A Richardson, T Widmer. Sydney Uni ? C Holmes, A Dyson, D Risby, A O?Dea, R Geraghty, C Kennedy.
Umpires ? C Fletcher, C Barr, A Kittel.
At Mike Kenny Oval, Saturday 27th April 2013.
St George 4.4 8.9 11.12 13.17 (95)
Illawarra 2.1 4.2 5.5 5.7 (37)
Goals : St George ? N Ryan 8, J Saddington 2, M Jones, L Perris, S Wilsen. Illawarra ? C Cook 2, D McClure, K Ewen-Chappell, E Franklin.
Best : St George ? N Ryan, P McBride, S Wilsen, A Herne, M Milner, M Jones. Illawarra ? J Daniher, E Franklin, J Brookfield, M Bates, D Nolen, J Tier.
Umpires ? S Baker, D Deigan, D Garroway.
At Olds Park, Saturday 27th April 2013.
Manly-Warringah 3.2 8.4 11.4 13.8 (86)
University of Technology 3.4 6.9 8.10 10.12 (72)
Goals : Manly ? A Robertson 4, T Farrelly 2, J Hunter 2, E Burke 2, G Benbow 2, T Armitage. UTS ? D Lavender 4, J Minichiello, M Murrell, A King, S Tregoning, D McFarlane, M Puhle.
Best : Manly ? W Brassil, T Armitage, A Robertson, E Burke, H Webb, H Koch. UTS ? M Murrell, L Lamont, F Adamson, S Way, M Hall, J Hope-Johnstone.
Umpires ? M Gestier, L Hall, L McDonald.
At Trumper Park, Saturday 27th April 2013.
| Play | Won | Draw | Lost | For | Agnst | Pts | %age | Strk | |
| Western Suburbs | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 442 | 119 | 100 | 222.11 | W3 |
| Manly | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 378 | 208 | 100 | 181.73 | W4 |
| North Shore | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 334 | 190 | 100 | 175.79 | W3 |
| UNSW-ES | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 330 | 295 | 75 | 111.86 | L1 |
| Sydney Uni | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 291 | 239 | 66.67 | 121.76 | L1 |
| Pennant Hills | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 330 | 260 | 50 | 126.92 | W1 |
| Campbelltown | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 296 | 256 | 33.33 | 115.62 | W1 |
| St George | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 220 | 271 | 33.33 | 81.18 | W1 |
| UTS | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 322 | 369 | 25 | 87.26 | L3 |
| Balmain | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 288 | 519 | 25 | 55.49 | L1 |
| Illawarra | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 192 | 298 | 0 | 64.43 | L3 |
| Sydney Hills | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 230 | 549 | 0 | 41.89 | L4 |
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:
Macquarie Uni 14.15 (99) d Pennant Hills 3.6 (24)
St George 13.9 (87) d Sydney Hills 8.1 (49)
UTS 11.15 (81) d Southern Power 4.6 (30)
UNSW-ES 12.6 (78) d Penrith 11.9 (75)
Holroyd-Parramatta 13.7 (85) d North Shore 7.6 (48)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? UTS (100, 155.30%), St George (100, 134.81%), Southern Power (75, 132.86%), Macquarie Uni (66.67, 133.33%), UNSW-ES (66.67, 104.93%), Holroyd-Parramatta (33.33, 112.50%), Pennant Hills (33.33, 67.95%), Penrith (25, 101.49%), North Shore (25, 77.35%), Sydney Hills (0, 54.49%).
Division Two:
Manly 13.8 (86) d UTS 12.7 (79)
Camden 26.15 (171) d Illawarra 4.6 (30)
Western Suburbs d Balmain ? forfeit
Sydney Uni 13.7 (85) d Moorebank 7.5 (47)
UNSW-ES 26.22 (178) d Auburn 1.1 (7)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? Sydney Uni (100, 372.22%), Wests (100, 210.87%), Manly (100, 138.38%), Camden (75, 176.28%), UTS (50, 159.49%), Moorebank (33.33, 145.05%), UNSW-ES (33.33, 66.67%), Illawarra (25, 49.60%), Auburn (0, 25.51%), Balmain (0, 24.82%).
Division Three:
Western Suburbs 12.9 (81) d Penrith 5.7 (37)
Gosford 25.15 (165) d Macquarie Uni 7.6 (48)
NorWest 16.9 (105) d Southern Power 9.8 (62)
Sydney Uni 19.12 (126) d Campbelltown 3.6 (24)
Randwick City 10.8 (68) d Blacktown 6.13 (49)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? Sydney Uni (100, 251.43%), Blacktown (66.67, 210.06%), Gosford (66.67, 125.59%), Macquarie Uni (66.67, 75.29%), NorWest (50, 118.05%), Southern Power (50, 109.09%), Randwick City (50, 108.23%), Penrith (25, 73.71%), Wests (25, 55.32%), Campbelltown (0, 22.02%).
Division Four:
UTS 14.15 (99) d Pennant Hills 9.4 (58)
Holroyd-Parramatta 9.8 (62) d Manly 6.8 (44)
Moorebank 12.16 (88) d Sydney Hills 5.3 (33)
Sydney Uni 20.15 (135) d North Shore 3.4 (22)
UNSW-ES 14.17 (101) d Macquarie Uni 6.6 (42)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? Moorebank (100, 211.64%), UTS (100, 211.19%), Holroyd-Parramatta (66.67, 188.19%), Sydney Uni (66.67, 179.64%), UNSW-ES (66.67, 126.09%), Sydney Hills (50, 84.45%), Manly (33.33, 73.73%), Pennant Hills (33.33, 62.59%), North Shore (0, 42.01%), Macquarie Uni (0, 34.62%).
Division Five:
UTS 10.8 (68) d Moorebank 9.13 (67)
Holroyd-Parramatta 14.8 (92) d Penrith 5.12 (42)
Camden d Southern Power ? forfeit
Randwick City 16.16 (112) d Blacktown 6.1 (37)
Sydney Uni 11.17 (83) d UNSW-ES 0.3 (3)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? Camden (100, 629.03%), Randwick City (100, 289.13%), UTS (75, 96.07%), Sydney Uni (66.67, 162.31%), Holroyd-Parramatta (66.67, 116.23%), Blacktown (50, 85.92%), Southern Power (25, 87.50%), UNSW-ES (25, 67.39%), Penrith (0, 34.53%), Moorebank (0, 30.25%).
Under 18s One:
Western Suburbs 12.11 (83) d Southern Power 9.3 (57)
North Shore 15.14 (104) d St Ignatius Riverview 3.5 (23)
Pennant Hills 14.12 (96) d Sydney Uni 8.7 (55)
Illawarra 19.10 (124) d St George 8.4 (52)
Sydney Hills 30.15 (195) d Macarthur Giants 4.4 (28)
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? Pennant Hills (100, 299.17%), UNSW-ES (100, 127.20%), Illawarra (66.67, 167.20%), Riverview (66.67, 107.18%), Wests (66.67, 103.77%), Sydney Uni (50, 93.92%), North Shore (33.33, 132.89%), Sydney Hills (33.33, 126.81%), St George (33.33, 75.49%), Southern Power (0, 46.09%), Macarthur (0, 18.27%).
Under 18s Two:
Macquarie Uni 26.9 (165) d Randwick City 10.8 (68)
Moorebank 8.8 (56) d Penrith 3.8 (26)
Manly d Sydney Hills ? forfeit
Ladder (Match Ratio) ? Manly (100, 248.94%), Holroyd-Parramatta (100, 225.00%), Macquarie Uni (100, 209.72%), Penrith (50, 183.93%), Balmain (33.33, 92.41%), Moorebank (33.33, 79.89%), Sydney Hills (0, 39.33%), Randwick City (0, 25.60%).
Women Div 1:
UNSW-ES 12.12 (84) d Wollongong 4.0 (24)
Balmain 12.13 (85) d Western Wolves 5.3 (33)
Sydney Uni 12.11 (83) d Newtown 1.3 (9)
Ladder ? UNSW-ES (12, 301.32%), Balmain (8, 240.68%), Sydney Uni (4, 165.15%), Western Wolves (4, 60.10%), Wollongong (0, 38.10%), Newtown (0, 25.85%).
Women Div 2:
Southern Power 4.6 (30) d UTS 1.3 (9)
Macquarie Uni 23.25 (163) d Randwick City 0.0 (0)
Penrith 6.9 (45) d Auburn 5.8 (38)
Ladder ? Southern Power (12, 381.25%), Macquarie Uni (8, infinity%), Penrith (8, 160.00%), UTS (4, 119.23%), Auburn (0, 16.39%), Randwick City (0, 9.58%).
NEXT WEEK?S FIXTURES (Lurker?s Kiss of Death in bold):
Premier Division:
Saturday 4th May
Olds Park ? Pennant Hills v St George (2:10pm)
Sydney Uni No 1 Oval ? Sydney Uni v UTS (2:10pm)
Weldon Oval ? Manly v Sydney Hills (2:10pm)
Village Green ? UNSW-ES v Balmain (2:30pm)
Gore Hill Oval ? North Shore v Western Suburbs (4:10pm)
North Dalton Oval ? Illawarra v Campbelltown (6:10pm)
Division One:
Saturday 4th May
Gore Hill Oval ? North Shore v Macquarie Uni (12pm)
Olds Park ? St George v Pennant Hills (12pm)
Bruce Purser Reserve ? Sydney Hills v Holroyd-Parramatta (2:10pm)
Greygums Oval ? Penrith v UTS (2:10pm)
Gwawley Oval ? Southern Power v UNSW-ES (2:30pm)
Division Two:
Saturday 4th May
Weldon Oval ? Manly v Camden (12pm)
Village Green ? UNSW-ES v Balmain (12:30pm)
Mahoney Park ? Sydney Uni v Auburn (1pm)
Picken Oval ? Western Suburbs v UTS (2:10pm)
North Dalton Oval ? Illawarra v Moorebank (4pm)
Division Three:
Saturday 4th May
Picken Oval ? Western Suburbs v Macquarie Uni (12pm)
Sydney Uni No 1 Oval ? Sydney Uni v Gosford (12pm)
Gwawley Oval ? Southern Power v Randwick City (12:30pm)
The Ponds ? Blacktown v NorWest (2:10pm)
Sunday 5th May
Greygums Oval ? Penrith v Campbelltown (1pm)
Division Four:
Saturday 4th May
Gore Hill Oval ? North Shore v Moorebank (10am)
Weldon Oval ? Manly v Pennant Hills (10am)
Mahoney Park ? Sydney Uni v Macquarie Uni (11am)
Trumper Park ? UTS v Holroyd-Parramatta (2:10pm)
Sunday 5th May
Village Green ? UNSW-ES v Sydney Hills (2:10pm)
Division Five:
Saturday 4th May
Mahoney Park ? Sydney Uni v Moorebank (9am)
Greygums Oval ? Penrith v Randwick City (12pm)
The Ponds ? Blacktown v Camden (12pm)
Trumper Park ? UTS v Holroyd-Parramatta (12pm)
Sunday 5th May
UNSW-ES v Southern Power (12pm)
Under 18s One:
Saturday 4th May
Gwawley Oval ? Southern Power v Sydney Uni (8:30am)
Olds Park ? St George v Sydney Hills (10am)
Village Green ? UNSW-ES v Macarthur Giants (10:30am)
Gore Hill Oval ? North Shore v Western Suburbs (2pm)
North Dalton Oval ? Illawarra v St Ignatius Riverview (2pm)
BYE ? Pennant Hills.
Under 18s Two:
Saturday 4th May
Bruce Purser Reserve ? Sydney Hills v Moorebank (12pm)
Weldon Oval ? Manly v Holroyd-Parramatta (4:45pm)
Sunday 5th May
Greygums Oval ? Penrith v Balmain (11am)
BYE ? Randwick City, Macquarie Uni.
Women Div 1:
Saturday 4th May
Village Green ? UNSW-ES v Balmain (8:30am)
Sydney Uni No 1 Oval ? Sydney Uni v Western Wolves (10am)
Mahoney Park ? Newtown v Wollongong (3pm)
Women Div 2:
Saturday 4th May
Greygums Oval ? Penrith v Macquarie Uni (10am)
Gwawley Oval ? Southern Power v Randwick City (10:30am)
Mona Park ? Auburn v UTS (12pm)