One of the lines in the Western Wolves Club Song (from the tune of the Adelaide Club Song or U.S Marine Corps Hymn) goes "we love this game of footy". I really had to question that line at times out in the driving rain on the weekend!
Heavy rain and strong winds during the wind had an effect on this weekend's round of football. Friday night saw the highly anticipated clash between 1st placed undefeated Newtown Breakaways and 2nd placed Balmain Dockers at Mahoney Oval. The Balmain Dockers welcomed their former captain Natasha Devlin who had moved to the Breakaways in the off-season. The Dockers after a couple of defeats had worked intensely in training to increase their focus on support and shepherding as evidenced by their 112 point victory over the Stingrays whilst the Breakaways had trained in the heavy rain on Wednesday showing their desire for footy.
The highly anticipated clash saw state coach Jason King come down to watch the play although he probably wished he stayed home nice and dry. However the first quarter saw Newtown dominate possession in the light rain to score 2.4 to the Dockers 0.0.0. In the second quarter rain fell like someone had turned a firehose with visibility reduced to about 30m. It was worse than last year's infamous Grand Final Rain. Players from both sides should be congratulated to attack the footy most of the time although it was understandable there was a lot of dropped ball and handballs didn't always go to their target. The second quarter was a more even affair with the Breakaways outscoring them by 1pt meaning the half-time score was 3.6 to 1.1. In the premiership quarter, Balmain had their chances in the forward 50m but inaccuracy was to cruel their chances kicking 2 behinds from positions close to goal they would normally goal in the dry whilst Newtown made the most t of their limited chances in the quarter. The final quarter would be a repeat of the 3rd quarter where Balmain dominated back in the light rain but was unable to put it on the scoreboard. They rejuvenated after kicking a goal but time was their enemy and thus the Newtown juggernaut continued to roll-on. Both sides played skillful footy most of the time and those who stood out in no particular order were from the Breakaways were : Jemma Still, Natalie Redford, Pam Hulusi, Roxy McGee, Natasha Devlin and Nicole Roach for her big bump on the sideline - where the contact probably could have been heard across the river! For the Dockers were Hayley Warren, Alison Parkin, Karla Spilarewicz, Kath Kobzan, Maggie Jenkins and Janene Thorpe.
The game was a real defining one for both clubs for Newtown, a sense of purpose had been achieved in the wet whilst for the Dockers, a sense of character was built in the wet which will sustain them in the 2nd half of the year. The club song was then sung proudly and probably the most loudly for some time by the Breakaways. Final score was 5.8.38 to 2.3.15
Thanks to Newtown manning the canteen, the Thai Green Curry was a big hit especially on the wet and miserable Friday night.
Saturday's fine conditions saw a damp Mahoney Field but a strong wind to the golf course end. Wests played Easts in the early match at Mahoney Park. Easts had the bare minimum and were made to pay dearly as Easts had quite a few forward thrusts but had run out of targets. Easts were early on impressive using the strong wind to tie up the Wolves but when the wind was against them - the Wolves ran riot kicking 5 and 6 goals respectively. Wests were pretty much direct with Cassie Bell being the nimble full-forward scoring 5 goals. Those who impressed were (Wests) Talei Owen, Shelley Bates, Christine Macdonald, Michaela Eckman (Stingrays) Sarah Court, Cherie Harmer, Melissa Breuker and Jenna Lineham. The final score 16.13.109 to 0.1.1
The midday match saw the first clash of the Bondi Shamrocks and the St George Dragons. The Dragons had come into the match rejuvanated after getting within 30 points of the league leaders Newtown in the previous match and for the first time had the luxury of able to exclude players for being over the limit of 24. The Shamrocks enjoyed their midweek training session inside the gym for the first time and the match showed the benefits of their gymnasium exercises. In the first quarter no goals were recorded due to tight defensive pressure and the second quarter was only two goals to the Shamrocks with the wind. In the third quarter both sides kicked a goal which meant that at three quarter time the score was Bondi 3.10.28 to 1.3.9. An inspired speech by vice-captain Kate Lancaster to lift the standard of play saw the Shamrocks break open the game to kick 5 goals to 1 in the final quarter to seal the game. Those who impressed were (Bondi) Maeve O'Sullivan, Kate Woodlands, Una McKay, Adeline Lim, Fiona Cotter and Annie-Rose Phillips, (Dragons): Jane Freeland, Erin Burns, Clare Crewdson and Louise Glasgow. Full credit to Dragon's Fullback Louise Glasgow who kept the 2008 Golden Boot Winner Marie Keating goal-less until the last quarter. Final score 8.13.61 to 2.4.16.
The last match saw the development game out at University Oval, North Ryde. Thanks to Sydney University for allowing the game to be shifted at Macquarie University to promote the game. The women played the twlight game after the Men's match of Macquarie Men's Warriors versus Southern Power which meant a big crowd appreciated the skills and intensity shown by both sides, Macquarie Uni Warriors played their best game so far assisted by the slippery conditions which wasn't conducive to the Bomber style of footy. It was great seeing co-coach Kellie Nolan pulling on the yellow uniform and getting a kick or two. Less said about the mud quagmire out around the circle.
Conclusion: Weekend results saw Wests leapfrog from 5th to 3rd and Sydney Uni swapping places from 3rd to 5th without kicking a ball. The tight nature of the top 5 means that every game is vital and the pressure to increase their scoring remains. Unfortunately some lop-sided scores could be the byproduct of this intensity as not only is winning important but by how much is now becoming a big differentiator. Newtown also have now established an 8 point lead on the pack and although not unbeatable is clearly the frontrunner of the league. It has been identified by various players by other clubs that the Breakaways get off to to a good start and then everyone else is forced to chase from behind which rarely works. Of course identification is one thing, actually stopping Newtown is another. The top 5 are Newtown on 20 points then on 12pts based on % are Balmain, Wests, Bondi then Sydney Uni. St George are on 4pts with Easts yet to open the account.
Golden Boot News: Marie Keating (Bondi) has now shot off to an 8 goal lead over Belinda Pride (Balmain) who still remain second. Rebecca Burridge (Newtown) is nipping at her heels close behind in third. With only 12 regular games being counted which is a reduction of 3 games from last year, chances of scoring the century are rapidly diminishing. I think the half century should be enough to win the boot this year.
Friday Night Photo: We're playing or drowning in the rain at Mahoney! Courtesy Newtown Breakaways Football Club.
Last Modified on 25/05/2009 00:18