Back in the 1979, the Weathergirls topped the pop charts with their hit "It's raining men". However on cold super SWAFL Saturday (premier sponsor - NAB Inner West), it was raining goals instead at Mahoney with a record 96 goals scored this round.
In the early match, the Bondi Shamrocks players decided to turn up onmass to Mahoney giving them 22 players to use for the first time whilst the Power had 17. In the first quarter the Bondi Shamrocks dominated possession but were wildly inaccurate. However the Power made the full use of their limited chances with committed team play and strict discipline to lead 1.1.7 to 0.5.5. In the second quarter the Bondi Shamrocks continued to spray the ball over the place although Laura Flanagan kicked her first goal. The Power were doing well to stay in the game even though one of their stars 16 year old Brittany Day had to be carted off to the hospital by ambulance with torn ligament damage.
After half time, where a commitment to excellence by the Shamrocks was expressed by the players, the results was a less cluttered forward line to kick 5 goals in the quarter led by full-forward Lisa Roper. In the finalquarter, Kellie Nolan - finished off some good team work to kick two goals. The Power did well based on the odds and fully deserved their three goals. I thought from the Power, Kathryn Hull, Jessica Colquhoun and Louise Glasgow did well whilst from the Shamrocks, it was Jennifer Ann-North, Paula Chalmers, Liesel Schmidt and Gillian Behan stood out. The end score was Bondi Shamrocks 9.13.67 to Southern Power 3.3.21.
In the second game, Sydney University played the Western Wolves. I don't know what they fed the Bombers last night (or maybe nothing at all to get them hungry for the ball) as they tore into the Wolves from the opening bell. The Bombers blitzed the Wolves in the first half to lead 11.6 to 0.1 with outstanding play in the midfield. Libby Sadler really stood out at full-forward. In the final half, the Wolves really tightened up on the Bombers offence but couldn't generate any forward momentum until the final moment of the game to kick another behind. Thus for the Western Wolves who tried very hard today were Shelley Bates, Michaela Ekman, Bree Calderwood, Emma Brown and Cynthia Dufaut. This was the first time since 2003 the Wolves were goal-less in a game. For the triumphant Bombers their best was Gianna Abbonizio, Emma Yuen, Una McKay, Libby Sadler, Jennifer Lew, Lara Creber and Kellie Thomson with Marie Keating scoring 7 goals.The end score was Sydney University Bombers 17.11.113 to Western Wolves 0.2.2
In the third game, Newtown Breakaways felt the challenge from the Bombers and responded accordingly when playing the UNSW-Easts Stingrays. From the opening get go, faced with urgency, they played liked their finals chances depended on it and moved the ball from the center circle to the goal square with predictability and regularility. Thus for the brave Easts Stingrays their backline was under the pump for the whole game but they could generate few forward chances pass their midfield. The Breakaways put together a very solid game of achievement to put 25 goals past the Stingrays. Best for the brave Stingrays were Renee Sochor, Rachel Paton, Deearne Hogan and Melissa Breuker no doubt saving a lot more goals than they conceded. Best for the triumphant Breakaways were Natasha Devlin, Nicole Roche, Tobi Noble and Verna Iles with 8 goals, evergreen Bec Burridge 5 goals and Krystle Thompson 4 goals. The end score was Newtown Breakaways 25.19.169 to UNSW-Stingrays 0.0.0.
In the final game Macquarie University Bravehearts faced the Balmain Dockers. I predicted a GBH by the Dockers and I wasn't proved wrong. Major credit to the Dockers for matching up on Macquarie University 16 players then 15 players later on in the game.
In the first quarter, the Dockers were guilty of bunching up and playing footy not at the normal Dockers standard. This may sound trite as the Dockers actually scored 10 goals in the first quarter, but they were mainly scored in the last 5 minutes of the quarter. A resolved Dockers came back to their normal high standards, firing in the 2nd quarter to slam 13 goals, then 9 goals in the 3rd quarter and finally 10 goals in the last quarter. The Macquarie University Bravehearts tried hard especially after losing Ashleigh with a damaged shoulder in the 4th quarter and their fullback Leah Woldhuis probably saved another 12 goals single-handedly faced with the task of marking up on Bee. For the Dockers, after the game was secured, was an opportunity to feed golden-boot leader Belinda "Bee" Pride as many leads as possible and it was very unselfish by the Docker teammates as they could have gone for goal by themselves. If anything the Dockers were keen for Bee to score the century today. Best for the Bravehearts was Leah Woldhuis, Val Chan and Belinda Harrison whilst it was an ultimate team effort by the Dockers, led by Belinda Pride (a league record of 18 goals and thus the most in one game), Claire Beech 6 goals, Christina Matthews 5 goals and the always-running Tracey Robinson 5 goals. Thus the Balmain Dockers set a new league record in points scored of 270 to top the Newtown Breakaways record of 260 set earlier this year. The end score was Balmain Dockers 42.18.270 to Macquarie University Warriors 0.0.0
I believe that puts Bee on 92 goals. That is one short of the regular home and away record set by Marie Keating in 2008 and 5 short of the cumulative season record set by Marie Keating in 2008 whilst she played for the Western Wolves. I think I better stop with My Ode to Bee, although I hear it's a bit of a classic down at Dockerland. Unfortunately I will not be available to see Bee kick her almost inevitable century of goals. I remember running onto the SCG when Tony "Plugger" Lockett kicked his 1300th goal at the SCG in 1999 to break Gordon Coventry's record and I'm sure regardless of your club affiliation, you will all salute Bee when she kicks the ton.
The table sees Balmain officially confirmed as the 2010 Minor Premiers and now host the first major semi-final as the home team. Well done on your inaugural minor premiership! However I know the other teams are keen to knock off the Dockers off their perch!
In second place, Newtown leads by a tight 4 points but with the Breakaways having a bye in rd 17, they know the Bombers could potentially be equal to them by the end of round 18. They have a 220% buffer, but as this weekend results show, a couple of heavy scorelines can whittle down that buffer.
In third place, Sydney University are hot on the Breakaway heels. Another performance like this weekend will stand them up in good stead to put pressure on the Breakaways. They have a chance of grabbing the double chance.
In fourth place, despite not winning the Western Wolves have almost consolidated their finals place. Only if they lose all their remaining games and the Stingrays win all theirs, they will both end in a tie.
In fifth place are the Stingrays still dreaming of finals action. They will have to definitely step up but either way it's been one of their best season results in a couple of years.
Equal on points are the Shamrocks but cannot qualify for the finals as they have a bye in Round 18. They'll be aiming to finish 5th, if they can win the remaining two matches. Although today's effort was scratchy, they know their full potential hasn't been realised.
In seventh place are the Power doing well in their inaugural year of the teal. They'll be aiming to finish the season on a high with another couple of wins.
In eighth place are the Wollongong Saints with their home jumper after playing in the Wollongong Junior Representative Team and the Figtree Kangaroo Jumpers (never again will the lurid purple and yellow combination be seen on the field). They'll be looking to knock off some premiership contenders before the season ends.
In ninth place is the Macquarie University Bravehearts who despite not winning a game are mainly having fun and look to build for the upcoming season in 2011.
Due to university commitments and working for the Australian Electoral Commission - I will be unavailable for game description for Rounds 16 and 18, with Round 17 being with my team in Wollongong. However I wish all the players the best of luck and more importantly injury-free matches.
Thanks to the Stingrays for running the Barbeque today.
Round 16 Preview
The good old split round comes into vogue for Round 16 of the SWAFL Premiership Season (Principal Sponsor - NAB Inner West).
In a first, SWAFL will take female football to the home of Team GWS playing out at Blacktown Olympic Park. In the match of the round, 2nd placed Newtown Breakaways will take on fierce rivals 4th placed Western Wolves at 10am. Regardless of ladder position in the past, these two teams have never liked losing to each other. Most matches between the two sides have been pretty tight. However the Breakaways need to maintain their % so anything is possible.
Also at 10am, 3rd placed Sydney University make the trip down the Mt. Ousley to play Wollongong Saints. The Saints spent the bye weekend playing lawn bowls and hopefully a bit of team bonding was the magic ingredient to unify the university students, locals and youth girls together to put up a challenge. The Bombers were on fire last week and last time the two sides played it was a 211 point margin between the two sides. Can it occur again? It'll be interesting to see with the absences of pockets how both teams respond with probably Wollongong clogging up the middle as their best bet.
At 6pm, at Henson Park, Marrickville (time and venue change), the Southern Power play host to UNSW-Easts Stingrays. The Power men's clubs are playing earlier at Henson Park as part of the combined club. Division 2 are at 4pm, Under 18 Challenge Cup are at 2pm, Division 3 at 12pm, Div 4 are at 10am.,thus the Women's side is capping off the integrated day by playing under Saturday Night Lights. I think the Power if they played strict disciplined footy could give the Stingrays a run for their money but if Courtney Gum is available for the Stingrays, it might be the edge that pushes the Stingrays over the line.
Then a week from then, the Balmain Dockers are playing in a once in a lifetime opportunity at Subiaco before a Fremantle Dockers match. They'll be playing against West Australian Side Swans Districts who like the Dockers are undefeated in the West Australian Womens Football League in Division 1 and coming 4th in their Division 2 side.
Also a week from then the Shamrocks make the trip across the Harbour and up the M2 Motorway to play Macquarie University at 12pm in the second home match of the Bravehearts. At least the Bravehearts can sleep in this morning. The Shamrocks will be calling on all their players to be available as Kellie Nolan takes over the coaching reins for the remaining games of the season. The Bravehearts tried hard but with local knowledge of their home ground be enough to get them over the line? Only Saturday will tell.
Picture: Kaya Lyons (Western Wolves) gets tackled by Sydney University Bombers Una McKay and Kristy Williams
Last Modified on 25/07/2010 22:54