Round 12 Match Reports
Division 2
Mac Uni 17.11.113 beat Sydney Uni 6.7.43
The Warriors took to the immaculately prepared University Oval with only one goal in mind and that was to bring the JB Cup back to Macquarie.
Just prior to running out the boys had a stirring speech from Will "Buckets" Ley on just who John Benson was and what he meant to the Club and it’s playing group. The players now knew exactly what they were playing for in front of a big Old Boys contingent on the hill.
We started well kicking 4 goals to 1 in the first quarter with Brett Harland proving dangerous in the forward 50m and our Skipper Carter Mullins providing some great run off half back.
First gamer Cameron Poole showed he is up to senior footy with some early possessions including a courageous mark against two Sydney Uni opponents.
A constant supply of midfield ball into the forwards in the 2nd quarter ensured we kicked another 4 goals, however with 5 behinds also in the quarter, this stopped us from pulling away from the Students who were not going to lie down in front of a vocal crowd of their own.
The side was asked to hit top gear in the 3rd quarter and after a Mick Twohig goal he was given another from in front due to free kick against Sydney Uni and this ensured we woke from our slumber. A 5 goal to 1 3rd quarter ensured a healthy 61 point lead at the last change.
It was an even 4th quarter with 6 scoring shots to Syd Uni's 7 and a winning margin of 70 points to the Warriors but more importantly the JB Cup was back to where it belongs.
The forwards kicked the majority of our goals with Brett Harland 5, CHF Simon Lawrenson 3 and Craig Barnes continued his recent good form with a handy 2 from FP.
Carter Mullins was named best on ground and accepted the presentation of the JB Cup which many an Old Boy drank out of later that night at Epping Pub.
Best on Ground: C. Mullins, D. Connors, J. Whyte, P. Hare, D. Ollington, B. Harland
Division 3
Mac Uni 7.13.55 lost to UNSW/ES 8.16.64
The Div 3 boys were always going to be in for a tough game taking on the undefeated UNSW/ES at home, however the Warriors were keen to seek redemption for the 74-point loss earlier in the year.
The ladder leaders wasted no time getting on the scoreboard posting the first goal of the day within 20 seconds. The Warrior defence was getting peppered as the UNSW boys continued driving the ball into their forward 50 and the added another 3 goals for the quarter. At the other end Ricey was presenting well and causing some headaches of his own for the UNSW defence but the guys were unable to post a major for the quarter and at the first break the scores were UNSW 4.4 to Mac Uni 0.2
The second quarter saw a far more aggressive Warrior team as the boys wanted to get back into the game. After a strong tackle from the captain Damo, we kicked our first goal of the day. Goals to Wazza and Ricey in quick succession and the pendulum had swung. The welcome return of Big Kev and good ball use from Razzle and Jacko (the Paul variety) saw us gain the upper hand in the middle and when Jimmy (of the Moylan variety) snapped truly the Warriors were within 4 points. The defence, led by Stapo and Jimmy (of the Condisine variety), were rock solid conceding only one major for the term and repelling many a Bulldog forward attack. When Jacko hit Rooster laces out the Vice-Captain calmly slotted the goal, our sixth for the term, and the Warriors went to the long break holding a slender 4-point lead.
As is to be expected from an outfit looking to keep its unbeaten record intact, the boys from UNSW came out hard after the break. The game turned into a dour struggle as both teams threw everything into it. The man-on-man contests around the ground were evenly fought resulting in the same number of inside 50’s and the same number of scoring shots. The combination of Gunns to Ricey to Moylan for his second goal, was the highlight of the quarter. The pressure applied by both teams ensured there were no easy possessions and scores of 2 goals 4 (UNSW) to 1 goal 5 (Mac Uni) highlighted the intensity. With this the Bulldog’s went into 3-quarter time with the slenderest of leads (that being one-point).
As goals dried up and the legs started to get heavy, the final quarter turned into a real arm wrestle. Players on both sides were willing themselves to keep going as the ball spent a majority of the quarter rebounding between the half back lines. Tackle after tackle was laid and the Warriors backline continued to repel Bulldog attacks but the go-ahead goal was proving elusive. Both teams had managed just 2 points each before UNSW slotted the sealer with just 90-seconds left on the clock. As the final siren went both teams were completely spent (as was Lee’s voice) and a game, befitting a final, ended with a 9 point win to the visitors.
Best on Ground: M. Rice, P. Jackson, W. Lal, D. Avery, B. Staples, J. Considine
Division 4
Mac Uni 9.9.63 lost to Sydney Uni 10.10.70
Round 12 saw the Warriors back at home for the first time in a few weeks to take on the top of the ladder Sydney Uni. After suffering a heavy loss in our last meeting everyone was keen to put in a far greater showing second time around.
The first quarter has been our Achilles heel in recent weeks, however this time it proved to be our strength as the boys hit the ground running. Despite conceding the first goal, everyone was playing good intense footy and the pressure around the ground was fantastic. Kinky and Jacko provided some great run out of the midfield and through quick ball movement we were able to supply our forward line with several opportunities. Dunc was having a great start, attacking the ball with ferocity and his early goal was the first of four in a row as we skipped out to a 20 point lead at the first change.
We knew that Sydney would come out firing in the second quarter and that they did, playing with the sort of panache that has earned them top spot on the ladder. A few early goals tightened the scores considerably before Stumpy provided some respite, his third goal giving us a two goal buffer once again. This was to be the only joy for the quarter though, as Sydney got on top again in the middle and applied intense pressure to our backline, eventually kicking 3 more to take a slender lead into the long break.
Needing a lift from all players to get back into the game the Warriors started to tighten the screws once again, playing the type of football that could take them far in this competition. Although not much scoring was being done, the football was of high quality, and slowly but surely the Warriors managed to take the upper hand. Sneak was having his best game for the year, giving plenty of drive off the wing, and Shorty was getting his hands on the ball both in the taps and around the ground. Dunc managed to conjure his second to bring us within a goal and when Butch snuck through for his first for the day we were back in front, taking a 1 point lead into the last change.
The last quarter was a continuation of this epic battle, with tough contested footy taking place all over the ground. Goo kept trying in the middle and gave us plenty, and Docker bravely fought on despite injury to again be a force. Sydney were starting to get away though, three goals early in the last gave them a handy buffer but the game was far from over. Hobby came into the game at the crucial stage, taking a couple of big contested grabs and setting up a couple of goals to cut the margin to 7 points. In the end however time ran out and despite looking likely at many stages the Warriors fell just short.
Best on Ground: P. Leaney, B. Heard, M. Smith, S. Lobascher, N. Jackson, D. Moore
U18 Challenge Cup
Mac Uni 2.1.13 lost Sydney Uni 22.16.148
In what was possibly the coldest morning for football this year, it saw us taking on Sydney Uni at home. And cold was how we started with Sydney Uni's run and well structured play to much for us and saw us go into half time down by 13 goals.
The only positive signs to come from the first half was the form of Tim Anderson and Nathan Middleton who both continually put their head over the footy and attacked it with vigour.
We spoke at half time about changing things up and went out in the 3rd qtr and restricted Uni to 3 goals for the quarter, which considering the first half, was a great result. With Mark Bishop relishing playing up forward and Sam and Frosty getting into the game more our 2nd half was a much better effort of footy.
Congratulations to co-captains Jordan Bell and Cameron Poole who have both made their Senior debuts for the Club in the last 2 weeks and showed that the future of the club is looking healthy.
Best on Ground: T. Anderson, N. Middleton, M. Bishop, P. Frost, S. Lehmann, T. Morris
Last Modified on 07/07/2009 08:31