Round 8 Match Reports
Division 2
Mac Uni 7.19.61 beat East Coast Eagles 3.7.25
The Warriors took on the East Coast Eagles at the newly constructed Bruce Purser Oval in a twilight match. Weather conditions could not be much worse with a solid breeze blowing, constant rain and cold temps.
We lost a number of players due to injury and availability from the previous weeks game and as reserve grade had a big game we decided not to further deplete their side and went in with 18 fresh players with 4 players making the journey across from Bensons Lane to sit on the timber. The guys had already played a tough 4 quarters and allowed us to set up rotations with the starting side to ensure they could run the game out.
East Coast provided stubborn resistance throughout the game and many of our 19 behinds were as a result of their pressure in the forward 50m. Whilst the match was not pretty to watch the most pleasing aspects of it were the return to form of young winger Dyl Brogan who played arguably his best game of the year and on baller Alex Lamond who continues to improve every week he plays in the top grade.
Hamid Mangal, Luke Gemmill & Ben Akmens all had solid games whilst Brett Harland kicked 3 goals to lead all scorers.
Captain Justin Whyte again played a strong inside game and now hands back the Captaincy to Carter Mullins who should return v's Holroyd Parramatta next round.
Once again our backline functioned extremely well in the wet & slippery conditions. Their positional play and switch options were a highlight and they should welcome back next round some much needed pace in Carts and Tom Reddin.
Special mention must go to Scotty Cations who kicked 6 straight behinds. He probably should have had 5 goals 1 after some fantastic front and square efforts however the closest he got was actually his hardest kick of the day from the boundary line on the run in which he hit the post with a grubber along the ground.
The Warriors now have a much needed week off to recover from several injuries and then take on Holroyd Parramatta at Charlies Maclaughin Reserve on Saturday June 13th.
Best on Ground: A. Lamond, D. Brogan, L. Gemmell, J. Whyte, T. Scoular, J. Lyall
Division 3
Mac Uni 8.2.50 lost to Nor West Jets 12.12.84
Sitting forth on the ladder, the Div 3 Warriors made the long trip out to Bensons Lane to take on the third placed Nor-West.
Again, Rooster won the toss enabling us to kick with the aid of the 3-goal breeze. It was a very physical encounter early with both teams testing out the opposition with hard tackles and aggressive attack on the ball and after a strong tackle from Wazza we kicked our first major. A 60-metre goal from Funky and a goal to Dunc (after another strong tackle) gave us three straight for the quarter. Nor-West to their credit were able to capitalise on their forward attacks and finished with 4 goals straight in the first term.
The attack on the ball continued in the second term. Our defence saw a lot of activity and if not for the likes of Stapo and Jimmy (Considine) repelling many a Nor-West attack the game could have been all over at half time. Rove became the second casualty for the day after his head over the ball attack resulted in a large gash to his grin and unfortunately unable to resume the game. At the half we were down to two on the bench and down by 22 points.
The 3rd quarter saw a real arm wrestle with both teams managing just one goal apiece, with ours coming from another strong mark from Pup who racked up a heap of possessions on the day. Our big boys in Claw, Abs and Funky were relishing the physical nature of the game, continually put their bodies on the line and more often than not being rewarded with another possession.
Down to just one on the bench for the final term this soon became zero as Funky was KO’d. Claw capitalised on the ensuing free kick to slot through his first for the day. Dunc kicked his third for the day and the defence continued to stand tall to restrict Nor-West to three for the quarter. With the number of casualties it was a credit to the way the boys fought out the game to the very end.
Best on Ground: James “Jimmy” Considine, Chris “Pup” Hayes, Patrick “Claw” Sobb, David “Abs” Allison, Samuel “Funky” Millard, Benjamin “Stapo” Staples.
Division 4
Mac Uni 12.8.80 drew with Nor West Jets 11.14.80
Round 8 saw the Warriors trek out to Bensons Lane to take on the Nor-West Jets in what was sure to be a tight and physical contest. Both teams had lost a couple on the trot so the stakes were high as a spot in the top 4 was on the line.
Kicking with a slight breeze in the first quarter, the boys needed a solid start and thankfully we were really switched on to start the game. With plenty of voice in the middle and everyone putting their body on the line we were able to win our share of clearances and give our forward line some great scoring opportunities. Jordan was providing a great presence in the middle, and Lukey and Julz were providing great drive allowing Stumpy and co to put us 3 goals up at quarter time.
In the second term the Jets came out ready to play and quickly stacked on a couple of goals to tighten the score. Our defense was proving resolute as ever though with some great pressure ensuring that every opposition possession was hard earned. Mick, Timmy and Pete were all having good quarters and Hobo was providing a good target across half back allowing us to clear the ball more often than not. A couple of great running goals late in the quarter allowed us to maintain our lead and we went into the long change with a hard earnt 5 point lead.
The third quarter saw the boys lift again for what was a great team effort. With the breeze at our backs, the momentum swung back our way as Will and Tomi gave us first use of the ball in the centre. Toby and Andy got involved and consistently pumped the ball long into the forward line where Butch and Hobo were providing great targets, and Nipper was looking dangerous at ground level. Our backline had a great quarter, keeping the Jets goalless and we went into the last change with what should have been an unassailable 31 point lead.
The last quarter was a torrid affair with both teams desperate to finish the game off strongly. When Lukey goaled 4 minutes in, we had a 6 goal lead and looked unstoppable but the Jets had other ideas. The wind picked up and that combined with a couple of easy clearances allowed the jets to put our backline under a lot of pressure. The boys kept working however the Jets managed to keep finding the goals and the margin was reduced to a goal with only a few seconds to play. A Nor-West goal right on the siren locked the scores up and left us to ponder what could have been as the scores finished all square.
Best on Ground: L. Kalaf, P. Le Breton, G. Smith, T. Carroll, M. Hobern, J. Beaman
U18 Challenge Cup
Mac Uni 0.5.5 lost to East Coast Eagles 13.18.96
Saturday night saw us play under lights out at Bruce Purser oval in conditions that reminded us that footy is a winter sport.
The wet weather meant that it would be a contest for the ball and skill would take a back seat but unfortunately we were out played in this department in the first quarter allowing the Eagles to kick out to a 6 goal lead.
The 2nd quarter saw us play with more endeavour only allowing ECE to score 1 goal with Jamie Van Leeuwen and Adam Martin down back making a contest of everything.
The 3rd quarter saw the Eagles have 10 scoring shots to put the game away, but if not for the outstanding effort by Nathan Middleton it could have been more.
The last quarter saw us slow the Eagles up again with Jordan Bell rounding out another 4 quarter effort and Josh Noney continuing to do the 1%ers and making a contest in the ruck but it was not enough and saw us go down by 91 points.
A special thank you to Steve Martin, Matty & Tim Scoular, Stu Guthrie and Suz who braved the conditions to help out in ordinary conditions to allow the boys to have a game, thank you.
Best on Ground: J. Bell, N. Middleton, J. Van Leeuwen, J. Noney, A. Martin, M. Bishop
Last Modified on 01/06/2009 15:23
