Every kid who grows up playing football dreams of one thing - playing in a grand final. Every moment spent in the backyard or local park kicking a footy with Dad, every hour spent out on the training field running drills, and every minute of game time throughout the season is ultimately all directed towards winning a premiership. For 66 of our home grown Warriors and 22 of our female Warriors, they have the chance this weekend to go one step closer to achieving that dream!
Last weekend didn’t get off to a great start with our Under 18’s the first to take the field in their qualifying final against Manly-Warringah. In a 1st vs 2nd clash, the Wolves jumped out of the blocks early keeping the Warriors scoreless in the first quarter. Macquarie won the 2nd quarter kicking 2 goals to 1 to peg back the lead but another goaless quarter in the third term proposed a huge challenge heading into the last quarter. To the Warriors credit though, they fought hard and won the quarter kicking 3 goals to 1. But in the end the deficit was too big to pull back and the Wolves got over the line 7.7.49 to 5.5.35. Mitchell De Vries kicked 2 goals for the Warriors while Jack Coghlan was amongst the best afield. The Warriors will now face Holroyd-Parramatta at Gipps Rd Oval on Sunday in a knockout Semi Final.
The other team in finals action last weekend was the Warriors’ Division 4 side who finished the regular season in second place. In a tough arm-wrestle with Moorebank, no more than 6 points separated the sides at any break throughout the match. The Warriors went into the last quarter 4 points down but the experienced heads of Phil Hare, Troy McMurrich and Jeff Hardman helped the Warriors to a narrow 3-point victory. The final score read 5.11.41 to 5.8.38 with the 5 goals all coming from individual goal-kickers for the Warriors. Phil Hare and Peter Hyndman were best on field for the Warriors who will now play Penrith at Rosedale Park on Saturday for a spot in the Grand Final.
Meanwhile, Macquarie Uni’s Division one side had a bye in the final round of the season, allowing coach Lindsay Bassani to give some players a rest while others were given the chance to prove their fitness by having a run with the Reserve Grade side. The Division 1 Warriors finished the season in 4th place and will take on UTS in a knockout final at Blacktown Olympic Park on Saturday at 1pm.
And let's not forget our women's team, wooden spooners in 2010 and grand finalists in 2011. With a line up of 14 rookies, the women's team has taken SWAFL by storm, being tipped to come in last place in the 2011 commentary. The women's team has conveyed true warrior spirit, defying the odds, showing awesome passages of play and some impressive goals.
The last game of the season will be a tough battle and is a match not to be missed! Come support the women's team at the home ground, Mac Uni main oval, ball up at 1pm.
Good luck to all Warriors lucky enough to be selected for this weekend’s finals. Do it not only for yourselves, but for the club and for every other Warrior who has played this season hoping to be where you are now!
Last Modified on 12/09/2011 11:43