Usual disclaimer about author's personal opinions may not be reflecting official league policy.
The race for the final 4 continues to hot up this weekend. I personally believe 11 wins out of your 16 games will be sufficient to qualify for the playoffs. So for all teams the make or break weekend begins around now if their dreams are to be realised. Any fewer than 11 wins and I think you are relying on mathematical probabilities and percentages to get in. Only 4 out of 9 teams can make it, who will sustain the pace and who will drop out of the race. It's all intriguing play every weekend.
Round 7 Results
On Friday Night, Newtown hosted the Shamrocks at Mahoney. With some new faces on both sides it was time to play with the Shamrocks making tight competitive play in the beginning. However the Breakaway skills came to the fore in the second and third quarters putting pressure on the the team in green. The Breakaways have to be commended for their efforts in the rain showing their versatile skills whilst the Shamrocks continued to improve. Best on Ground were for the Breakaways were Natalie Redford and Jemma Still whilst for the Shamrocks it was Paula Chambers, Liesel Schmidt and Kira Duroux. The end score was Newtown Breakaways 13.18.96 to Bondi Shamrocks 4.3.27
On Saturday morning, Balmain made the southern road trip to Wollongong. They continued their good form winning by Balmain Dockers 22.21.153 points to Wollongong Saints 0.0.0 in the good conditions. The Saints although beaten continue to improve their team spirit and skills.
In the only game at Mahoney, Mac Uni hosted the Southern Power. With all to play for on both sides the battle was willing and it was to be the team in teal who triumphed. The Power fielded many rookies for this game equalizing the skill level on both sides. Both sides played with good spirit and with the dry conditions it was the Southern Power who ultimately triumphed with a goal in the last quarter to seal the win. Southern Power 3.2.20 (?) to Macquarie University Bravehearts 2.4.16 (?). For the Macquarie University Bravehearts, their inaugural win will be quicker than they realise.
In the Saturday twilight game at Kensington, the UNSW-ES Stingrays hosted Sydney University in the return round. Here the Stingrays showed improved form over the Bombers, with some excellent play on both sides. With the Village Green, fielding mud in the center square better suited to World War I than Sydney it was the Stingrays who were to breakout to an early 20 point lead before a power cut interrupted the first quarter. After the resumption of play, the Bombers were able to wrestle the game back and started to dominate the all important midfield. An injury to gun Stingrays midfielder Erin Burns stalled the Stingrays drive from the midfield. Dominating the midfield was to be the telling difference as Sydney University Bombers applied pressure when it counted especially in the 3rd quarter when the Stingrays failed to score to win by 8 points. The end score was Sydney University Bombers 8.5.53 to UNSW-Easts Stingrays 6.9.45. Those who did well were Kate Lancaster, Emma Yuen (Bombers) whilst for the Stingrays they were Stephanie Cuvelier and Courtney Gum. At the start of the season if someone had suggested that the Stingrays would get within 8 points of the Bombers, they would have taken it but I think the Stingrays would feel this was a game that they could have won, illustrating their massive improvement from Round 2.
Round 8 Preview
At Mahoney on Saturday morning Newtown host Macquarie University. It potentially looks like a tough assignment for the Bravehearts against the Breakaways but I am sure they will be 110% committed to the task in the first official league match between the two clubs. Newtown will be keen to maintain their impressive momentum whilst Macquarie University search for their first win which they were only a goal away from last weekend.
Straight after that game, Sydney University host Southern Power. The Power have done well against the first half of the pool but now face a challenge in the Bombers going into the other side of the pool. The Bombers will be keen to do build their base line of wins to shore up their finals position in this half of the draw in the first official match between the two sides.
Wests make the Southern Road trip to Wollongong. The Wolves will be keen to maintain their impressive form whilst the Saints have been improving immensely against all SWAFL Sides. The Saints look like they have a solid group of rookie players to work with. The Wolves look pretty settled as their rookies step up to the plate and would have enjoyed the weeks break.
The Dockers host the Stingrays for the match of the round at Drummoyne Oval. With both sides having access to quality players across the field, the league-setting Dockers aim to continue their impressive momentum whilst the Stingrays showed enough glimpses against Sydney University to make a trip for the casual observer to Drummoyne worthwhile.
The Shamrocks have the bye.
Last Modified on 23/05/2010 19:44