Division 1
Mac Uni Warriors 14.14.98 beat UNSW-ES 4.9.33
The Warriors took on the UNSW-ES Bulldogs under lights at Mac Uni in cold and dewy conditions. With conditions like this it was never going to be the prettiest game of football which we thought might play into the Bulldogs hands. We had yet another debutant in this weeks side with Andrew Carey getting his opportunity after some solid displays down back in the 2’s and Chris Lobascher was called in late after a full game in the 2’s loss to UTS.
After a heavy training load during the week we were always going to be going in a little flat. And the Warriors were a little lethargic early and took until 15mins in to really get some scoreboard pressure. The Bulldogs did start the better, getting first to the ball and running through the middle of the ground on turnover with ease.
Starting Brett Harland in the middle worked well early and if it was not for the run of Brodie Cooper & Tim Scoular out of the backline, who consistently combined with Andrew Polkinghorne at half forward, we may not have enjoyed a quarter or half time lead.
Carter Mullins continues to defy age and provides great leadership and strength down back with Andrew Carey making a few short but effective runs to clear the ball from danger. Kev Jones was moved into the ruck to great effect, managing to get over the top of his opponent and this proved a master stroke from injured captain/assistant coach Dean Connors with our onballers suddenly finding some clean ball in the 3rd quarter.
The 3rd proved to be the quarter which won the game and ensured another Warriors victory. Mick Twohig, Andrew Polkinghorne and James Coburn all kicked 3 goals whilst Scottie Cations found some form in the last quarter after his return from two weeks away in the USA.
The Warriors 5th straight win ensured Lee & Maryanne’s canteen was a little less profitable for the night with the win bonuses eagerly accepted by the standout players. We now face UTS away on Saturday in a match which pits both the Division 1 and Division 2 Premiers from 2009 against each other.
Go Warriors and Kookas!
Best on Ground: Brodie Cooper, Kev Jones, Andrew Polkinghorne, Pat Barclay, James Coburn, Tim Scoular
Division 3
Mac Uni Warriors 9.7.61 lost to UTS Bats 13.14.92
After a well deserved win the week prior, the 2’s came out with a new strategy “…let’s see how far we can let them get ahead and still win…”. Unfortunately due to the lack of a NAPLAN test while the majority of the guys where schooling, a miscalculation followed, a + was put in instead of a – and the deed was done.
The Bats faster, stronger and more disciplined forwards in the first and second term combined with the slow twitch fibres in the Coach’s brain on the bench analysing the issues, saw the Bats literally skip away to a 30 point lead. The big men of Frenchy, Griz, Buster and Ricey were pulling their weight, as well as that of 60% of the rest of the team. Unfortunately for Buster and the Riceman, the 2 were performing in their now preferred position in the backline.
The third term saw a revitalised team that came out with heads over the ball, anger in their eyes and a willing to do the 1%ters to get the side through. Hobbo picked up his game and the young brigade of Noni, Belle, Bish and Bubs started to show why the other clubs in seasons to come should be afraid. We came off at the last break winning the quarter by 2 points and determination in the hearts.
The last term turned into an arm wrestle with more head turns than a Borg vs Becker match. Jism all through the last 3 quarters provided some needed speed and discipline, while the rucks did their turn in the backline to help out. Unfortunately even with Slimes efforts it wasn’t enough and the boys went down along with their, and the coaches, realisation’s that some hard discissions will have to be made by all involved.
1%ers, discipline and a lack of willingness to do it for your mates are sorely missing through parts of our game and if anyone thinks they are fit enough across the board in the areas of decision making, match fitness and body fitness need to stand up and be counted.
Watch this space.
Best on Ground: P. Grzic, P. Le Breton, M. Bell, M. Rice, C. Lobascher
Division 4
Mac Uni Warriors 20.13.133 beat Mac Uni Kookas 6.4.40
After much anticipation, the big event was finally here, the local derby between the Warriors and Kookas. With bragging rights on the line this match was likely to be fiercely contested as pride was well and truly at stake.
The game started in the spirit you would expect with players from both sides throwing themselves into the contest. It was the Kookas that had the first opportunity although the shot hit the post and the Warriors were given an early reprieve. Soon enough the ball was up the other end though, and we managed to apply a bit of pressure to the Kookas backline. Nipper, Robbo and Steve all kicked early goals to establish a lead and although the machine was not in top gear we were still able to take a 3 goal lead into the first change.
The second quarter begun with the boys determined to shake off the stern challenge thrown up by the Kookas, who to their credit, they continued to attack the ball hard and press their claims. Poor manning up through the middle combined with some simple skill errors allowed the Kookas to register 3 goals of their own and despite a 5 goal half time lead this game was still up for grabs.
The third quarter saw us begin to assert our dominance over a side that looked like they were tiring. After a big spray at half time, Butch was stung into action and kicked 5 third quarter goals in a match winning performance. The only thing more entertaining than Butch’s performance was the antics of opposition coach Lukey Gemmill who was clearly frustrated by the big man’s dominance! Hobby managed to break free from a tough opponent in the second half and started to find the ball whilst Docker was picking up plenty of touches around the ground. A monumental third quarter saw us pile on 9 goals to zip to go into the last quarter with a hefty lead.
The last quarter saw a big lift from the Kookas who continued to not drop their heads. Shane continued to rack up possessions in an impressive display while Hilly drifted forward to kick a couple of goals in his best display yet. By the time the final siren rang the Warriors had managed to record a 93 point victory but this margin was not a true indication of the closeness of the game itself. Full credit to the Kookas who gave us one of the toughest workouts of the season to date.
Best on Ground: John Hobby, Shane Willoughby, Dan Ranson, Scott Uglow, Tim Lawson, Andrew Hill
Division 4
Mac Uni Kookas 6.4.40 lost to Mac Uni Warriors 20.13.133
With the two Macquarie University Division Four sides facing each other for the first time, Round Six had all the elements of a highly anticipated clash.
Saturday afternoon weather conditions, as forecast by Kookas forward pocket and number one weatherman Reuben Maurad, were perfect for football.
Pre-match, the Kookas were the first side to enter the sheds for their game briefing. Although the statement, ‘don’t lose on your home ground’, was somewhat of a non-debate this week, the Kookas were delivered a few key accountabilities for the match. Body language registered as one of those high on the agenda, with Coach Lukey telling the players to never drop their heads and take the match to the Warriors in the first, second, third and fourth term.
As both teams entered the field for their pre-match warm-up it was almost comical to watch from the heights on the Macquarie mound as both teams clearly demonstrate that they were from the Macquarie school of football. Unknowingly the Kookas and Warriors systematically at opposite ends of the ground completed an identical set of warm-up, stretch and skill drills.
Back in the sheds fifteen minutes before the first siren, the Kookas were showing all the signs of a football team. All players were huddled in tight, energy was high and focus was strong. The Kookas were ready!
As the ball was sent into sky for the first bounce, the Kookas delivered their ‘A’ game to the table. After an early turnover in their defensive fifty the Kookas were presented three quick options to convert however on each occasion inaccuracy let them down. This unintentional breathing space gave the Warriors time to find there feet and head into the quarter time break with a three goal lead.
In the second, Kookas rover Gareth Hood was given the difficult job of tagging opponent Steven Powell who was proving to be one of the driving forces in the Warriors engine room by covering a lot of ground and recording a number of stats against his name.
Nathan Sullivan was doing an exceptional job at shutting down John Hobby at CHF and contributed to many defensive turnovers. Grant James was working well across the wing and was playing smart football by running from the defensive side and firing handballs backwards allowing for a forward running kick.
By halftime the Kookas had recorded the three goals that should have been on the scoreboard in the first quarter, while the Warriors added another five goals, pushing their margin out to the same tally.
In the rooms at halftime, while the Warriors received a notable ‘spray’ from Scott Uglow, the Kookas remained calm and were asked to now tighten their hold on the match - perhaps this wasn’t the best tactic.
In the third, the Warriors obviously heeded the call as they shifted into high gear and Uglow lead by example by kicking five for the quarter. In an attempt to shut the big man down, the Kookas trialled as many back-man against him as goals he kicked.
It’s often said that third quarters are where games are won and lost and unfortunately the Kookas, despite their best efforts, couldn’t answer the Warriors.
In the fourth quarter the Kookas kept their foot on the accelerator until the final siren. While the Kookas managed to place another three goals on the scoreboard they were answered at every turn.
For the Kookas it was a very positive match and it proved that when they play as a team they can give even the best teams in the competition a run. It was a great proceed to this weekend’s Southern Power clash.
Best on Ground: Tomi Kallio, Grant James, Nathan Sullivan, Andrew Kent, Gareth Smith, Chris day
U18 Challenge Cup
BYE
Sydney Women’s
Mac Uni Warriors 5.3.33 lost to Wollongong Saints 6.15.51
There was positivity in the air as Round 6 saw the Mac Uni Warriors ‘Bravehearts’ faced the newly formed Wollongong Saints, at Mahoney Park. With some tough matches already behind us, we believed we could match up on the Saints fairly evenly and possibly come out with our first win.
However several injuries from the Round 4 match-up against the Western Wolves two weeks ago proved to take its toll on the side, with Hayley Fenton out for the season with a broken ankle and Asilinn Albury with ongoing symptoms of a severe concussion. The girls battled on hard only to go down to the Saints in a 18 pt defeat.
The Warriors came out strong and matched up fairly well on the Saints in the first half of the game when only a couple of points down going into half time. Some great tackling in defence by the girls kept the scores low but found it hard going when the Captain Kim Woldhuis was sent off on a red card for kicking. She was not officially reported for the incident.
With the loss of our ruckman, and our second ruckman Naomi McDonald out due to sickness, Steffanie Lee was promoted to cover ruck for the second half. She proved to be a versatile player in providing a contest in the ruck and winning some taps.
Lindsay Van Andel received a free kick 15 meters out from goal during the third quarter, and kicked a goal to put us ahead by a couple of points going into the third quarter break.
Wingman Val Chan was sensational with her hard running through the midfield and tough tackles and was Best On Ground. Not by much, however, as it was hard to distinguish her from some other fantastic efforts from midfielders Melinda D’Arcy, Lindsay Van Andel and Melita Van Steel.
In the final term we could just not match the Saint’s hard running and pressure. They kicked a couple of goals and plenty of behinds to come out with their first win.
Overall the Bravehearts performed well and each week are gaining valuable experience and abilities.
In Round 7 we will face off against the Southern Power for the second time this season at 11am Saturday at Mahoney Park.
Check out www.swafl.org for all things on The Sydney Women’s AFL League
Goal Kickers: Alex Frolich 3, Lindsay Van Andel 1, Aislinn Albury 1
Best on Ground: Val Chan, Melinda D’Arcy, Melita Van Steel, Liz Fassone, Lindsay Van Andel
Last Modified on 18/05/2010 14:40
