SYDNEY AFL ROUND 1 2013
Article & Photos by Michael Shillito
The weekend saw the long off-season come to an end, and another year of Sydney footy action got under way.
Premier Division had a new addition, with Manly-Warringah promoted to the top division for 2013, creating a 12-team competition and eliminating the bye. And throughout the divisions; promotions, relegations, some new teams and a few sadly lost – but overall, more footy teams in this city than ever before.
As a new season gets underway, there’s always a feeling of keen anticipation. There’s been pre-season training, there have been trial games; but finally the moment and the true test has arrived. After the opening round, there will be clubs who feel they’re on the right track, and others who know they’ve still got some work to do.
A twilight encounter at Mike Kenny matched Pennant Hills up against North Shore. Both had been finalists last year; with North Shore’s premiership aspirations being derailed by a loss to the Demons in the final round that cost them the minor premiership, and again in the qualifying final to launch a straight-sets exit to the finals for the Bombers. The Demons would make it as far as last year’s prelim final, but narrowly went down to miss the grand final.
Both clubs had kept most of last year’s squads intact, but bolstered with some new signings and promoted juniors. And the first half would be an arm-wrestle as two sides that are again likely to be there at the business end of the season battled it out.
It was hard and physical, and a couple of times threatened to become spiteful as tempers became frayed. But it was hard to pick between the two teams, it was goal for goal.
There were plenty of highlights. Demon forward Matt Carey, known as “King”, showed plenty of majestic flair as he plucked an unlikely possession from a pack in the forward pocket and played on to thread the ball through from an unlikely angle. At the other end, Bomber recruit Jared Shattock forced a turnover just outside the 50 metre arc, recovered quickly to gather the ball and with barely a second of reaction time sent a booming torp through the goals.
But the highlight was experienced Demon Seb Parker on the wing, flying high over the pack in front of the clubhouse to pull down a spectacular mark.
It had been goal for goal, with the Demons leading by four points at quarter time and eight at half time. And when Richie Lynch’s goal for the Bombers to start the third term was cancelled out by a major by Josh Barty moments later, few would have seen how the momentum of the game would swing.
But it was time for another North Shore newcomer, Sam Mason, to announce his arrival into Sydney footy, twice marking and goaling to give the Bombers the lead.
Around the ground, the Bombers were getting on top. Sam Carruthers, wearing a helmet, was at the bottom of every pack winning plenty of the ball. The Fitzgerald and Harry brothers were increasing their possession count with every passing minute.
The Bombers were creating chances, but were frustrated by four behinds in a row before youngster Lachlan Hayres bent a long bomb magnificently in the breeze to kick his first goal at senior level. And with just seconds to go before three-quarter time, a silly free and 50 metre penalty gifted Ron Wason a goal and the Bombers a 21-point lead at the last change.
The Bombers could smell victory, and weren’t letting go; and a devastating seven-minute burst to open the final term put the result beyond doubt. Danny Roberts sent through a grubber to goal, while Dale Fitzgerald brought up a double and Brendan Fitzgerald also opened his goal-scoring account for the season.
The margin was now out to 46 points, and the result was well and truly decided. The Demons refused to concede, and kicked a few late to cut the final margin in half; but it was the Bombers who would emerge with the spoils.
The final margin was 27 points, at least some degree of revenge for the back to back losses of last season. Tom McMahon, Sam Carruthers and Daniel Schacher were among North Shore’s best; while the Demons were well served by Seb Parker, Daniel Witt and Harry Angel.
The two NEAFL-aligned clubs in Premier Division, Sydney Hills Eagles and Sydney University, faced off at Bruce Purser Reserve. And it was Sydney Uni who would emerge with the honours, taking out a convincing 73-point victory.
The Students only won one game last season, but already by quarter time it was looking apparent they would match that tally in the opening round as they slammed on five unanswered goals. Although the Eagles broke their duck early in the second and worked hard to try to get back in the contest, they still trailed by 30 points at the long break.
The Eagles had come from a long way behind to run down the Students last year, but the third quarter showed there was no prospect of that theme recurring; as the Eagles were held to just one goal as the Students extended the margin to 45 points. By now the Students were in complete control, and a six goals to two final quarter blew the final margin out to 73 points.
Gabriel Robbie scored five goals for the Students, while Alex Dyson, Aron Everett and Michael Higgins were among their best. Mark Skuse kicked four goals for the Eagles. Gus Seebeck, in his first game in Premier Division since kicking the ton in the Eagles’ breakthrough premiership in 2009, was the Eagles’ best; while Trent Baker and Adam Fender were also prominent.
Defending premiers University of NSW-Eastern Suburbs had a win in the opening round, but were pushed hard by a determined St George side at Kelso Oval on Saturday afternoon.
The Dragons came out full of running, and looked set to launch a boilover during the early stages, as they ran through five goals in the first quarter to take a shock 13-point lead into the quarter time huddle. And although the Bulldogs lifted in the second term, the Dragons were still in the lead by two points at half time.
It was goal for goal during the third term, as the Bulldogs were well held by the Dragons. St George returned to the finals last year, and showed themselves worthy challengers to the top sides as they stayed with the Bulldogs during the third term; and although the Bulldogs took the lead, there was only a point in it at the last change.
But that was as close as the Dragons could go. They had given their all for three quarters, but the Bulldogs had the stamina to lift to another gear in the final term and the Dragons had nothing more to give. A run of six goals to one blew the final margin out to 38 points, although the run of play for most of the game suggested the result would be considerably closer.
Henry Mason kicked four goals for the Bulldogs, and along with Anthony Rodrigues and Matthew Rawlinson, were among their best. Jason Saddington contributed four goals for the Dragons, while Pat McBride, Declan Donohue and Steven Wilsen worked hard all day.
Wet weather during the week saw UTS’s match with Illawarra moved to Henson Park. The Bats had narrowly missed the finals last season and recruited heavily over the off-season, while the Lions had lost some key players. But fears of a blowout were not to be realised, as the Lions proved more than competitive; and with a bit of luck could even have stolen the game.
There were numerous lead changes during three evenly contested quarters. The Bats led at every change, by three points at quarter time, four at half time and three at the last change; but the game was still very much up for grabs. Far from the anticipated blowout, there were worried looks in the UTS camp as the determined Lions looked every chance of pulling off what would have been a stunning result.
In the end, there would be no Illawarra fairytale, and the Bats steadied in the final quarter with a run of five goals to three to take the game by 17 points. David Lavender scored five goals for the Bats, while Sam Way, Tom Nixon and Joel Minichiello were prolific ball-winners. For the Lions, Harrison Green, Mitchell Bates and Jeremy Daniher put in every effort to keep their side in the contest. The Bats would eventually take the points, but Illawarra lost no respect for their determined performance.
Two clubs who had changed their coaches during the off-season and are working to restore their fortunes after disappointing 2012 seasons faced off at Picken Oval when Wests played host to Campbelltown.
Wests had turned to Kevin Eynaud, who had previously coached the Magpies in a successful stint from 2004 to 2007; and everything looked to be going to plan as they kicked six goals to one in the first term to lead by 28 points at quarter time. And, despite the Blues fighting back in the second term, the Magpies still held a 19-point lead at the long break.
But Campbelltown, with former Swan Neil Brunton at the helm, rallied with a burst of inspired football in the third quarter. Goals were flowing, and confidence mounting, as the Blues kicked seven goals to two for the quarter; turning the deficit into an 11-point lead at the last change.
But there was to be another twist in this tale, and the fortunes of the game would take another turn during the final quarter. The Magpies steadied, running in five goals in the final quarter while holding the Blues to one point; breaking Campbelltown hearts and boosting the morale in the Magpie camp for their 2013 campaign.
Brenton Mumme, Stephen Hudson and Yannick Milligan-Saville were pivotal to the Magpies’ fortunes in getting them over the line. For the Blues, Matt Edwins celebrated his return to the team with a four-goal haul to be their best, while Mitch Hogan and Hamish Sherwood were also prominent.
Premier Division newcomers Manly-Warringah were drawn to play away against Balmain at Henson Park on Sunday. It looked a tough draw for the Wolves, against a side that had competed in the last two Grand Finals; but Balmain had faced an exodus of senior players during the off-season.
But as it turned out, the Wolves proved themselves not just worthy of being in Premier Division; but put on a dominant performance that sees the new kids on the block jump straight to the top of the ladder; demolishing the Dockers by a whopping 117 points in a Premier Division debut to remember.
There were no signs of Premier Division nerves from the Wolves as they kicked seven goals to one in the first quarter to lead by 39 points at quarter time. And by half time, with the margin blown out to 66 points, it was clear that the Wolves were headed to victory in their first appearance at the top level.
Five goals in the third term and seven in the last saw the final margin climb into three figures, a dominant display against a Dockers side lacking in personnel and lacking even more in confidence.
Hayden Washington kicked six goals for the Wolves and Anthony Robertson four to spearhead the Manly charge. Thomas Thurgarland, Tyrone Armitage and Anthony Robertson were named at Manly’s best; but it was hard to find a Wolves player who didn’t dominate his opponent on the day. On a disappointing afternoon for the Dockers, Selby Lee-Steere, Joel Gray and Jerome Farrell kept working hard all game.
