Opening Day of the 2010 SWAFL Premiership Season
BY Lancelot Yu, SWAFL Website Editor - disclaimer - all views are my own and may not reflect SWAFL Viewpoints.
9 teams started the day with hopes and dreams. Only four would end up with wins.
In the early game at 9am, the Bondi Shamrocks faced new entrants Macquarie University Warriors. With both teams fielding a lot of rookies in their first ever game, it would be interesting to see how the game would eventuate. A lot of soccering of the ball was the response until both coaches encouraged their teams to pick up the ball, as they would be rewarded to do so. Eventually the game settled into a pattern of play as the players got used to the shape of the Sherrin Ball. Macquarie University Warriors resplendent in their new uniforms, showed the lessons from their training to make leads when they had the mark. However their attack was mainly stalled at the half-forward line where center half-back Bondi Shamrocks captain Kate Woodlands chopped off many attacks and rebounded the ball back into the Shamrocks midfield. The Warriors were to be commended for their spirit throughout the day with one of the Warriors best in Simone Faulkner but in the end, the lack of game experience was the main factor between the two sides as the Shamrocks notched up a win Bondi 7.13.55 to Macquarie University Warriors 2.2.14.
In the second game the Southern Power in their Port Adelaide strip hosted UNSW-Easts Stingrays in their first ever game. After a rather rusty first quarter where the Stingrays kicked three behinds to no score, the Stingrays moved the ball quicker through the field to dominate the rest of the game. UNSW-Easts continued to show the good form from their SWAFL 7's tournament was no fluke and had a very good last quarter scoring six goals to win UNSW-Easts Stingrays 11.11.77 to Southern Power 1.0.6. A note of concern was the number of injuries suffered by both sides in particular head clashes. Those who did well was Renee Sochor from Easts and Dominique Groom from the Power. As this was the first win since 2008 for the Stingrays, the team song was sung lustily by the women in white.
In the third game Sydney University played host to newcomers Wollongong Saints. Wollongong borrowing Figtree Kangaroo jumpers until their new strip is ready was up against a very focused Bombers team. Despite the odds, the heat and the lopsided scoreline the Saints showed plenty of spirit and put on a few hits. However it was to be the Bombers day comfortably winning Sydney University 33.13.211 to Wollongong Saints 0.0.0. Those who did well in the Bombers colours were Amelia Mills and Marie Keating enjoying the supply from the midfield whilst Shelley Bates and Shellee Gibson tried valiantly for the Saints.
In the match of the round and grand final replay Western Wolves hosted last year premiers Newtown Breakaways. Both clubs looked grand in their new strips. Newtown hit the blocks out early showing no signs of summer doldrums to post a healthy lead which Wests could not come back despite a late spirited charge in the second half. Cassandra Lees put on some big body hits for the Breakaways as they won in the closest match of the day Newtown 7.10.52 to Wests 4.7.31.
During the day, SWAFL Treasurer Karen James-Lawson issued each team with the SWAFL Raffle Booklets and league sponsor cards provided substantial discounts at the Warrenview Hotel located at the corner of Enmore and Stanmore Roads, Enmore. The social home of the league.
Round 2 Preview
Round 2 sees 3 games at Mahoney and one game at Gwawley.
In the early 8:30am match Macquarie University activates their GPS to travel south to Taren Point to visit Gwawley Oval to play Southern Power. With both teams losing last weekend, both sides will be keen to record the first win for the season. It's very much a lineball match here with everything to play for. The teams have yet to play.
The first match at Mahoney is at 10am. Bondi Shamrocks hosts the Newtown Breakaways. With the average margin between the two teams in the two games being 10 goals to the Breakaways, the team in green will be keen to record their first victory against Newtown. For Newtown, it'll be about consolidating the lessons from the Wests game. It'll be an intriguing battle ahead. The head to head record is 2 wins to Newtown.
The second match is at 12pm with the Balmain Dockers taking on the Wollongong Saints. The Dockers will be keen for their first competitive match of the season taking on the Saints. Hopefully the Saints players took enough positives from the previous match about the standard of play in the Women's League to know what is required to compete at a high standard. The teams have yet to play.
The last match is at 2pm between Sydney University hosting the Stingrays. With both sides coming off comprehensive wins, this could be the match of the day. Sydney Uni continues to rotate their squad through their team whilst the Stingrays will be looking to make it back to back wins. The head to head record is Sydney University 20 wins, Easts 5 wins.
Wests have the weekend off.
Last Modified on 12/04/2010 10:50