Round 1 Match Reports
Division 2
The Warriors took on their arch rival Holroyd-Parramatta Goannas at home in a much anticipated round one clash. After a long pre season, both teams were keen to notch up their first win for the season. It was the Warriors who, after a strong first 10mins from the Goannas, started to settle down and take control of the game. It was a physical game early on with both teams testing each other out and their backlines working overtime. The Warriors took a lead into 1/4 time with a crucial goal to Craig Barnes and some great ruck work. Troy McMurrich and Goulburn Swans recruit Luke Gemmell ensured the Warriors onballers had first use of the football at centre bounces.
In the 2nd quarter Phil Hare at fullback for the Warriors repelled numerous attacking raids from the small, but skilful Goannas forward line. Alongside him, David Allison and Ben Akmens ran straight lines out of the backline and ensured the talented half forward line of Jerome Farrell & Captain Carter Mullins had first use of the football in space. Brodie Cooper had a crucial shutdown role on a talented Goannas player.
The half-time break ensured the Warriors had time to work on their game plan and match ups so as to push out their hard fought four goal lead. Early in the 3rd quarter Brett Harland converted after a strong mark and the Warriors made sure he felt welcome at the Club with numerous players getting around him to celebrate.
Unfortunately two early opportunities to kick goals from in front from the Warriors went astray and instead of taking command of the game, the Holroyd-Parramatta Goannas ended up having a strong 3rd quarter kicking 2 goals to the Warriors.
Going into the 4th quarter, with the game still within reach for the Goannas, it was important for the Warriors to kick the first goal and effectively kill off the game. With midfielders Darren Avery, Dylan Brogan, Dean Connors, Jeff Hardman and Donnie Ollington all still running strongly the scoreline pushed out to a comfortable lead for the Warriors.
Finishing with 8 goals in the last quarter the Warriors took the crucial 4 competition points and now look forward to taking on Campbelltown after the Easter Weekend Break.
Best on Ground: Phil Hare, Jerome Farrell, Brodie Cooper, Troy McMurrich, Dean Connors, Ben Akmens
Division 3
After a week with plenty of rain we were greeted with dry conditions on Saturday and a mild 20.2 degrees for the opening game of the season.
With Holroyd-Parramatta kicking with a 3 to 4 goal breeze they came out looking to get on the front foot early. Both sides showed some of the rustiness that is often prevalent early in the season and on the back of resolute defence, led by Claw, Hobo and Chuck, we were able to finish the quarter with a three point lead 3.1.19 to 2.4.16.
With the aid of the breeze, and a few of the cobwebs blown out, the second quarter showed a significant improvement in the use of the ball. Our boys in the centre were starting to get more of the ball and with 3 goals to 1 for the quarter we went in to the sheds at the half with an even 3-goal lead.
The energy level in the sheds during the break was good and the importance of kicking the first goal of the quarter into the wind was stressed. Intensity level from the first bounce was great with all the guys lifting their work rate. It didn't take long for Butch to deliver that important first goal, with perhaps the most important of his 6 goals after a strong overhead grab. Smooth and Mighty continued to get plenty of the ball, Wazza was getting increasingly involved and Stapo continued to cause headaches up forward.
To Holroyd-Parramatta's credit they didn't go away, and with both teams kicking 3 goals for the quarter the game was still in the balance at the final change.
The desire to start the season with a win during the ÃÂþ time huddle was evident and we were confident that after a strong pre-season we would have the fitness to run the game out. With Jockey getting plenty of the ball in the middle, Pete Le Breton thwarting a number of their forward attacks with strong marks down back, and Butch and G-Stud converting up front we were able to stamp our authority on the game.
Finishing the game off full of running, we were able to hold H-P scoreless while slamming on 5 goals of our own to record a convincing 54-point victory. Final scores 14.11.95 to 6.5.41.
A complete team performance helped deliver the result with many solid contributors for the day.
Best on Ground: Charles Bickersteth, Steven Powell, Adam Hobart, David Smith, Ben Heard, Peter Le Breton
Division 4
The new look third grade was lead out on the ground by captain Smiley with no less than 7 players who were not only debuting for the Warriors however playing their first ever game of AFL footy.
Many players were meeting each other for the first time and with coach Matt Scoular away it was first grade coach DK who took the reins who himself was making his debut coaching the warriors.
Thankfully Smiley won the toss and with a 3 goal breeze at our backs and we had a pretty simple game plan of using the wind when we had it and restricting the tough HP Goanna's when it was their turn kicking with the breeze.
The boys did just that leading by 3 goals at 1/4 thanks to some great CHF work by Stumpy Pryor and the unveiling of a great new prospect in Mark McHibben who was dominating in the middle of the ground.
During the 2nd quarter the backline was strengthened with our senior players to repel the attack of the Goanna's who had the aid of the breeze and this worked extremely well with the Warriors actually increasing their lead to 24 points by halftime.
The 2nd half saw the warriors take control with new the players such as John Hobby showing great promise and veteran Darryl Wookie Hillier picking up a plethora of possessions in the centre.
As the confidence in the side increased the scoreboard lead did the same and the long preseason paid off with the warriors scoring a comfortable victory and give coach Matt Scoular a great start to the year.
The Warriors now look forward to playing the Penrith 2's after the Easter break.
Best on Ground: Darryl Hillier, Mark McHibben, Andy Davies, John Hobby, Rowan Pryor
U18 Challenge Cup
Our first game of the year saw us take on new comers Parramatta at home with a midday kick off. The first quarter saw us kicking with the breeze but we were unable to capitalise kicking 1.8 to Parramatta' 1 behind.
The 2nd quarter saw the Goannas make the most of their opportunities to kick 6 goals which also saw our work rate drop off but we managed to go into half time down by a point.
The 2nd half was a tight contested game of footy but the Goannas goal kicking accuracy was the difference in the end.
Tim "Diesel" Morris and Frosty both had good first up games for the club in the backline and Sam, Pooley and Belly all worked hard through the middle.
Best on Ground: Sam Lehman, Tim "Diesel" Morris, Cameron Poole, Jordan Bell, Peter Frost, Luke Woodman.