AFL SYDNEY ROUND 3 2013
Article and photos by Michael Shillito
On Friday, everything looked set for a weekend of footy. But as heads hit the pillow on Friday night, the heavens opened; and by the time we awakened on Saturday morning, grounds were soaked and many were closed. Several games were postponed, including the Campbelltown v North Shore, Illawarra v Sydney Uni and Western Suburbs v St George Premier Division games.
UNSW-ES’s big day at the Village Green was affected, and what was schedule to be a day of four games was reduced to just one. The Eastern Suburbs university derby between UNSW-ES and UTS.
It was the first home game for the Bulldogs in 2013, and before the match commenced, the 2012 premiership flag was unfurled. It was one last chance to revel in the glory that the Bulldogs had created with their big win in last year’s showpiece game.
The morning had been wet and windy, and even during the warm-ups the rain continued to fall. But by the time the flag had been unfurled the rain had ceased; and during the first term the sun made its first tentative attempts to break through the grey clouds overhead. The Village Green surface was slightly heavy, but playable; and both teams were putting their bodies on the line early.
There were few easy possessions in the early exchanges, as packs gathered around the ball and the ball found itself being taken out wide, with numerous boundary throw-ins during the opening term. The first quarter saw the Bats take the fight up to the defending champions, kicking the first two goals of the game before the Bulldogs got one back late in the quarter to see the Bats move into quarter time with a five-point lead.
The sun had emerged from the clouds by quarter time and the surface gradually improved as the remainder of the afternoon unfolded. The second term was goal for goal, as the Bats had the answers to any challenge the Bulldogs would throw up; and with a six-point lead at the long break, hopes were rising in the UTS camp of spoiling the Bulldogs’ party and pulling off what would have been a stunning result.
But the premiership quarter saw the Bulldogs lift, and the Bats were unable to match it with the rampant Bulldogs. The Bats did attempt to stay with the Bulldogs, and did manage two goals; but it wasn’t nearly enough to prevent the momentum of the game swinging the Bulldogs’ way as they scored five goals to open up a 14-point lead at the last change.
The Bulldogs were on a roll, and there would be no respite for the Bats during the final term. Piling on the pressure, keeping numbers around the ball and driving it forward, the Bulldogs would accumulate another five goals in the final term, extending the final margin to 28 points.
Matthew Rawlinson, Henry Mason and James Pascoe were UNSW-ES’s best. The Bulldogs have been challenged in all three of their games so far this season; but have stood up when the games were there to be won and remain undefeated after three rounds, and hopes of back to back premiership glory are very much alive in the Bulldog camp.
For the Bats, Frank Boland, Andrew Davis and Liam Flanagan worked tirelessly through the afternoon. The Bats have had a tough draw so far this year, but find themselves with one win from their first three games.
Premier Division newcomers Manly were due to have their first home game, taking on Pennant Hills at Weldon Oval. But with Weldon closed, the game was moved to Mike Kenny Oval; which remained open despite being extremely slippery conditions. The lack of home advantage was no barrier to the Wolves, who continued their dream run as they upset the highly-fancied Demons.
In the slushy conditions, the Wolves established their mudlark credentials as they kicked the only goal of the opening quarter. Scores were hard to get, and goals were worth their weight in gold. And the Wolves worked hard in the second term to kick two goals and hold the Demons to one, to take a nine point lead into the sheds at half time.
By the time the second half had started, the sun had emerged and the slow drying process had started. The ground was still heavy, ball control was still difficult and the game continued to be a tough slog. And the Demons lifted around the ground, denying the Wolves any easy possessions and holding them scoreless. But the Demons could only manage one goal for the quarter, reducing the margin to one point at the last change.
It was desperate footy, clean possessions as impossible as clean jumpers. But the Wolves dug deep, refusing to allow the Demons to take the lead. With two goals to one for the quarter, they would take the win by eight points. A stunning boilover against one of the competition’s top contenders and a result that erases any doubt that the Wolves are good enough to compete at Premier Division level.
Harrison Koch, Harry Webb and William Brassil were listed as Manly’s best, digging deep when the game was there to be won. For the Demons, Tom Angel, Damian Dell’Aquila and Jesse Hare worked hard all day. The Wolves remain undefeated after three rounds; while the Demons find themselves in unexpected territory with only one win from their first three starts.
Henson Park was closed for the weekend, so the Balmain v Sydney Hills Eagles game on Sunday was moved to Mahoney Park. As recently as 2011 the Eagles and Dockers played each other in the Grand Final. Heavy defeats for both clubs in the first two rounds this year meant the stakes were high for another reason, with both clubs desperate for a win to get their 2013 campaign back on track.
The better weather on Sunday had given the surface some time to dry out, and the first quarter was an arm-wrestle as two desperate teams battled it out. It was goal for goal, with the Eagles holding a two point advantage at quarter time. But the Dockers took the upper hand in the second quarter, with a run of five goals to two to take a 12-point lead to half time.
The Eagles tried hard to work their way back into the contest during the third term, but some poor finishing in front of goals would let them down as they recorded a string of behinds. At the other end, the Dockers also found themselves frustrated by their finishing. The three-quarter time siren sounded with both sides having scored 2.5 for the quarter, the margin being back where it started at 12 points.
But the Dockers stepped up in the final quarter, a run of six goals to two extending the final margin to 35 points and giving them their first win of the season. Bradley Plug kicked four goals for the Dockers in a best on ground performance, while Shelby Lee-Steere and Matt Round were also prominent. For the Eagles, Stephen Doyle kicked four, and along with Dominic Killworth and Ryan Fitton was among their best.
Last Modified on 22/04/2013 12:02
