SENIORS
Round 9 saw Macquarie Warriors take on Manly Wolves under lights at University Oval. With 3-4 players back from a spell on the injured list the team was confident that we could cause an upset.
1st quarter saw the Warriors start well and play a strong first 20 minutes, dominating possession but unfortunately the power of the Manly side were able to kick a late couple of goals to see us go up a point at quarter.
In the 2nd quarter, undisciplined play by the Warriors saw four 50m penalties resulting in four goals. This was the turning point of the match with momentum swinging from our favour to Manly’s.
At half time, we thought we had enough possession to be right in the game and had a lot of confidence going into the 2nd half.
3rd quarter saw Manly dominate the game, control possession and ultimately control the tempo of the match. Having lost our key full forward in the 2nd quarter, we were unable to find a forward structure to kick goals. The result being at the 3rd quarter break, Manly was comfortably in front.
¾ time saw the players get a very good spray from the Coach but unfortunately the guys were not able to stand up to the power of Manly running over the top of us. The boys need to learn how stay disciplined for 4 quarters regardless of the result to become a serious threat come September.
Some very good individual efforts with Camo, Hugh and TJ performing well and working hard all day. We just need a few more to do the same and things will click. We are looking forward to taking on Southern Sharks at home this coming week.
Mac Uni 7.8.50 lost to Manly Wolves 22.9.141
Best on Ground – Damo, Poodle, TJ, Bangas, JJ, Donnie
RESERVES
Home for the game and we expected a hard tussle. Manly had beaten good sides and picked up some handy players. We did not train with the balls during the week and it showed the paddock today our skill level was way down on previous weeks.
I tried a 6 man interchange to keep fresh legs and to eliminate the flow off play that Manly are accustom to playing.
Up to half time we were in the game we just kept making mistakes that kept turning the ball over and giving them the chance to go forward.
The backline were impressive but the ball running from the centre bounce was beating us. Troy was winning taps but the on baller’s were getting caught with the ball. Manly had more determination to get the ball out of the packs and this is where we need to work on to win more crucial stoppages?
The second half saw our ruck win more ball and we did go forward. Inside 50 again crucified us as we did not capitalize. They kicked 6 quick goals in the 3rd quarter that shut the door for us and this was the changing point in the game.
Kinky was tiresome in his demand for the ball and made sure everyone was picking up players. Manly were well drilled and we really need to work on the skill levels if we are to beat the top sides in the competition.
This is one game I thought we could take from the opponents but a lapse in time will beat us every time. 2 quarters is not enough to play a game of AFL and guys this week we turn this around against the sharks at home.
Everyone needs to commit to the side and make training as we have 9 to go and those 9 are going to determine where we fit into the scheme of things.
At the moment we are letting ourselves down time and time again and this will effect us going into the back half of the year
Mac Uni 3.6.24 lost to Manly Wolves 15.21.111
Best on Ground – Marshy, Kinky, Damo, Scotty, Rove, Blake
U18’s
With the boys enjoying a sleep in we kicked off at 2pm against Manly in our biggest game for the season to fight out for 2nd spot. We started off with a dominate 1st quarter having 9 scoring shots to 1 but could not convert that to score board pressure.
In the 2nd quarter we were being well served by Gary, Red and Marky.B and managed to kick 5 straight to go in half time with a comfortable lead. After the break the game became an arm wrestle with Manly making us earn our possessions but Noni and Ossie continued to give us good play and we stuck at it and with Tim enjoying a run up the ground in the last quarter and Mobbsy finishing off a good 4 quarter game we ran out 50 point winners and moved into 2nd spot on percentage.
A good win Boys but we are only half way through the season and will need to capitalise on our hard work so far in the 2nd half of the season.
Mac Uni 13-7-85 beat Moorebank Sports 5-4-34
Best on Ground – Marky Bennett, Jordan Bell, Duncan Moore, Dylan Brogan, Tommy Van Leeuwan, James McBrien
2ND DIVISION
I stepped up to the caretakers roll 30 second before the game for the 3rds as Stuffa was a no show.
We started the day not knowing if we had a side in the end we ended up with 22 thanks to the help off the over established Manly side that seemed to have more men on the bench than Mundines entourage.
Manly had 6 - 2nd’s and 3 -1st’s in the side so it was always going to be a hard game. Wookie, Razzle ,Shorty and Nippa we playing on the ball and to their credit were winning the stoppages against a more experienced centre line.
The game was played on a wet track with light rain for most of the game which meant a hard running track and both sides were feeling it the breaks, “cramps were everywhere”.
We went into the sheds at half time and the score board was not that far way. Again the skill level is what we needed to rectify as our players were trying to do more than they could do and let themselves down. Wookie spoke to me and simply asked that we slow things down and pick off the players one by one to do down field.
We did this for about 5 minutes and we did control the ball. But we simply got tired and lazy. I kept making changes to keep the legs out there but we simply were beat, Storky came off with cramps like no other and was squealing like a banshee in the physio’s hands.
At ¾ time I asked that they give a little bit more and get the ball of the ground. Patting the ball along the ground does not win footy and too many times we again turned the ball over because we were not committed.
Nippa announces at 3/4 time that this was his last quarter for the club and I shed a tear. Nippa in the last quarter as a warrior was instrumental and he wanted something.
His eyes glazed over and was like a tiger on steroids. He ran he kicked he handpassed and he even kick 2 from about 65 out {that was what he will tell the Mounties}.
We had some good players on the day and it was great ti see some old faces back to the club. Gatesy and Rowdy had good games in the backs and Burky stood up and was accountable. I moved Gee up front at the last break and what a decision that was he was in everything.
Anyhow we were beaten on the day by a better side but guys at this level you still need to commit to some sort of training if not at the ground you need to do something at home.
Fitness is where we fell down as the leg’s were tired.
Thanks to the 4 manly boys who helped out on the day as I no they had a good game as they were only passengers for the Manly club due to numbers.
Stuffa will be back next week and I look forward to watching a few to hopefully give them a run in the 2nds. Nippa has done enough and will be picked this week. {Ha Ha}.
Mac Uni 5.5.35 lost Manly Wolves 14.16.100
Best on Ground – Storky, Donnie, Smiley, Bomber, Nippa, Guns
Last Modified on 19/06/2008 14:55