Premier Division was back in action over the weekend after a week off; but the break was to prove no stop to the momentum that Manly have generated this season.
Since coming into Premier Division in 2013, the maroon and white club from the Northern Beaches have had few problems in overcoming whatever challenges have been thrown their way. A premiership in their first season in the top flight was impressive. But that was just the start.
Under the Giants name in 2014, the Manly side has stepped up another gear this season, demolishing opponents with regularity. Undefeated and with an imposing percentage, the Manly juggernaut rolls on with every passing week; their quest for back to back titles looking even more likely every time they take the field. Saturday at Weldon Oval saw another chapter in the impressive run of Premier Division’s newest club.
It was a local derby against North Shore, the second meeting between the two clubs this season. When they played at Gore Hill, the Bombers had provided resistance for a half to lead at the long break before the Giants ran away in the third term. But this time, the Bombers were unable to match it with the Giants at any stage.
The Bombers’ team was far from full strength, and they would be further decimated by an alarming injury toll as the game progressed. But from the start, it was clear this would be Manly’s day. Brayden Fowler had his first goal on the board within seconds of the opening bounce, and the goals would keep ticking over with regularity.
Five goals were already on the board within 15 minutes, while at the other end the Bombers had barely managed an inside 50. With every goal, Giants’ team-mates would gather around the goal-scorer in numbers; talking the talk as they walked the walk. From the small grandstand and the marquee beside, the Manly faithful were in full voice as already victory looked assured.
The first quarter was a rout. Eight goals to one a reflection of the complete dominance of the home side as they found winners all around the ground. The margin was 46 points at quarter time; and with another seven unanswered goals in the second term, the Giants lead was out to 89 points at the long break.
There were Giants at the bottom of every pack. Whenever a run got going, there were loose runners to propel the ball forward. When the Bombers did get the ball into their forward line, the defence was impenetrable. It was a clinical performance, a well-drilled team going through their paces; while the Bombers could offer little more than token resistance. 
By the third term, the Giants were toying with their opponents. The flow of goals slowed in the third term, but so great was the margin already that it barely mattered. Four goals to one had stretched the margin to 107 points. And there would be no respite in the final term, as the Giants landed another five goals to two, blowing out the final result to a 133-point win.
Brayden Fowler was an irresistible force on the forward line to spearhead the Giants’ charge with an eight goal haul. Connor Pettersson, James Brain and Anthony Robertson were their best; although the Giants had winners all over the ground. Daniel Schacher, James McKenzie and Charlie Parsons tried hard for the Bombers; but it was a dirty day for the team in black and red, and they would leave the ground battered, bruised and downcast. It’s been many a long year since North Shore were that badly beaten.
UTS had broken through for their first win of the season before the week off; but any hopes that the win would result in a momentum shift for the Bats were dashed at Waverley Oval on Saturday afternoon. The Bats came into the game with confidence, but were never in the hunt against a well-drilled Wests side who controlled proceedings from start to finish to record a comfortable 54-point win.
From the start, the Magpies wasted little time in applying scoreboard pressure, as they got an early jump and ensured the Bats would be chasing the game. Six goals to three in an impressive opening term opened up a 19-point advantage; and although the second quarter would be more tightly contested, the Magpies were still in control, with a run of four goals to two and a lead of 32 points at half time.
The Bats had been leaking goals far too easily and knew they had to tighten up the contest, and had some success in achieving that in the third term. But their defence was equalled by the Magpies, who ensured that for all UTS’ work, there was no prospect of working their way back into the contest. It was a low-scoring and physical third term, just one goal apiece, and the 32-point margin remained intact at three quarter time.
Wests had the game safely won by the time the last quarter started, and the pressure valve which had been so tightly applied in the third term was released. Now the Magpies could assert themselves with some run and open play, keeping the scoreboard ticking over. An entertaining final term with some free-flowing football saw the Magpies extend their lead with a haul of six goals to three for the quarter. 
Taylor Williamson was the focal point for much of the Magpie forward line action through the afternoon and finished with four goals; and along with Yannick Milligan-Saville and Lindsay Scown was among the Magpies’ best. Sam Way, Rawson Kirkhope and Brendan Browne were tireless warriors for the Bats; but this was the Magpies’ day, and this result consolidates their position within the top five.
St George have been in solid form in recent weeks, and the Dragons clocked up another win and recorded a significant boost to their percentage when they travelled to Bruce Purser Reserve on Saturday afternoon and left with a comprehensive 89-point victory.
The Dragons struggled for accuracy during the early exchanges, and for much of the first quarter there wasn’t much that separated the two sides. But with four goals to two, the Dragons held a 17-point advantage at quarter time. Already holding a handy lead, the Dragons ran riot in the second term, which would be a high-scoring shootout. Both sides were on the attack, and the scoreboard was turning over with regularity as the two teams played free-flowing football. But it was St George who had the edge in attack, and with eight goals to four for the quarter, the lead was out to 39 points at half time.
It was one-way traffic in the premiership quarter, the Dragons showing plenty of magic as the Eagles ran out of puff. Seven goals to one on the scoreboard, a lopsided possession count, as the Dragons asserted complete control over proceedings. By the last change, the St George lead was out to 76 points. And although the pressure was nowhere near as intense in the final quarter, the Dragons were still clearly the superior side and a run of six goals to four in the final term saw the final margin stretch to 89 points.
Daniel Napper was in imposing form on the forward line, finishing with seven goals for the Dragons; while Nick Ryan contributed four goals to the St George cause. Around the ground, Thomas Green, Dominic Killworth and Alex Wynn were ball magnets. On a tough afternoon for the Eagles, Mark Skuse, Ken Ewen-Chappell and Alex Johnston continued to work hard all game.
Henson Park was the venue for the clash between Sydney Uni and Pennant Hills, a game which would be the best comeback of the season to date and by far the closest of the Saturday games.
The Demons have only lost one game so far this season, but they looked in trouble early as the Students made the front-running. Kicking with the wind in the opening term, the first quarter saw the University side in full control as they dominated possession and kicked five goals to one in the opening term to lead by 23 points at quarter time. And when it was the Demons’ turn with the wind in the second quarter, they were unable to capitalise on the favourable conditions. The quarter was evenly contested, three goals apiece; and with the Students maintaining the 23-point advantage at half time, they were looking good to inflict the Demons’ second loss of the season.
But the game tightened considerably in the third term, the wind died down; and the Students were unable to add to their half time advantage. At the other end, the Demons began to lift their work rate and create scoring chances, although most of them sailed wide of the big sticks. It was one goal apiece for the quarter, Sydney Uni leading by 20 at the last change.
But the Demons weren’t dead and buried yet. The Demons emerged from their huddle full of running and determination, and the tide quickly began to turn. It was an inspirational final term from the Demons, as they refused to concede defeat and used their superior stamina to peg back the deficit. The Students could feel the momentum shifting, and scored two goals; but it wasn’t enough to stem the Pennant Hills charge. Seven goals in the final quarter saw the deficit turn into an unlikely 11-point win; keeping the Demons comfortably in second place. 
Stephen Wray spearheaded the Demon final quarter surge on the forward line, finishing with four goals. Around the ground, Kieran Wright, Alex Goodall and Sam Widmer were prominent contributors. For the Students, Glenn Smith, Sam Orton and Andrew Dyson were among their best; but the Students will be regretting this game as the one that got away. Their third loss on the trot, and they will need to beat North Shore at their next start to keep their spot in the top five.
The round concluded on Sunday afternoon, with the closest game being kept till last as UNSW-ES hosted Campbelltown at the Village Green. It would be a game of momentum shifts and lead changes that would be in the balance until the final siren.
The first quarter was goal for goal, two evenly-matched teams attempting to assert themselves but coming up short as their opposition replied. With four goals to three, the Blues led by five points at the first change. But the second term saw the tide turn in favour of the home side, as they began to find more room to move and the Blues were left in their wake for much of the term. Five goals to one for the quarter; and the Bulldogs were looking good with a 21-point lead at the long break.
But the Blues regrouped during the half time break, and during the premiership quarter began to slowly but surely work their way back into the contest. Piling on the pressure, surging the ball forward; and the scoreboard began to reflect their increased competitiveness as the deficit was chipped away; and the return for the quarter of five goals to one saw the Blues hit the front just before three quarter time and leading by five points at the last change.
It was a thriller, and there were more dramatic moments in the last term. The Bulldogs won the last quarter, with four goals to three; but the Blues hung on grimly in the final moments as the Bulldogs threw everything they had at them. But in the end, the final siren sounded with the Blues holding a three point advantage; completing a remarkable win, their best of the season to date.
Taran Etto, Joel Bottin-Noonan and Nathan Lomas were best for the Blues; while the Bulldogs found tireless servants in Jeremy Daniher, Hayden Nichols and Chris McKinlay. Up forward, Tim Cummins kept the Bulldogs’ side of the scoreboard ticking over to finish with five goals. But it was Campbelltown’s day, and a result that will do wonders for the morale of the south-western club.
Premier Division has another week off next week for the long weekend. There will be catch-up games in some other divisions.
As such, there will be no article next week, but we’ll be back the week after.
With no article last week and none next week, there’s two weeks of results and fixtures in the divisional results below.
Last Modified on 02/06/2014 12:55
