Round 18 Match Reports
Division 2
Mac Uni 9.21.75 beat Balmain Dockers 6.8.44
After the top of the table clash last week it might have been expected that the boys struggled to get themselves up for this week’s game against Balmain, despite the opportunity for a number of players to cement their spot in a competitive starting line-up for a 2nd semi clash.
Unfortunately this proved to be the case because despite some impressive individual efforts throughout the first term, the Warriors, as a team, were only able to manage an appalling 1.8 for the quarter. Our usually deadly accurate forward line was missing and perhaps may have had more luck having shots with the round ball. A GPS on the goal umpire at the Warriors end would have revealed numbers similar to Disco last week as he was constantly running from side to side and fatigue forcing him to alternate his flag-waving arm.
Looking for a lift in the second term (particularly in front of goal) the result was more of the same with the only difference being it was at the opposite end of the ground and the Dockers full back was starting to tire from the countless kick-ins that he was required to undertake.
The fortunate thing for the Warriors was that the backline was feeling particularly frugal or a nasty deficit would have greeted the boys at the major change. With Balmain playing for nothing more than pride it appeared as though that was going to be enough as a wasteful Mac Uni outfit went to the change rooms with an extremely unflattering 5 point lead.
Half time scores were Mac Uni 2.13 – 25 to Balmain 3.2 – 20
The mood in the dressing room as expected was one of extreme disappointment and so it should have been. There was the realisation that a repeat performance of that nature next week and at half-time DK may as well start picking his team for the preliminary final because when it comes to finals football opportunities need to be taken (particularly those opportunities that are kickable with your eyes closed).
Balmain came out after the break and threw everything at the Warriors as they tried to claim their biggest scalp for the year and again it was the tight backline and pressure through the centre that allowed them to kick just 2 goals for the quarter.
Perhaps of greater concern was the fact that the Dockers were still well and truly in the game as the third quarter ended as we only scored one more goal than they did.
The final quarter brought a few more cheers, well actually only the one more, as the Warriors “slammed” on 4 goals for the quarter. With the Dockers managing just one goal for the quarter we were able to run out winners by 31 points.
Final scores were: Mac Uni 9.21 - 75 to Balmain 6.8 - 44.
I for one have forgotten about the game already and I suggest that every one of the 22 who was out there on Saturday night does the same. It’s time to start thinking about next week, start thinking about playing finals football, and start thinking about playing the type of football that you know you are capable of. Good teams play in the finals – Great Teams seize their opportunities.
Best on Ground: D. Ollington, A. Lamond, B. Cooper, T. Scoular, J. Farrell, C. Barnes
Division 3
Mac Uni 14.13.97 beat Moorebank Sports 4.13.37
Looking to get back on the winners list the 4th placed Warriors hosted the 5th placed Moorebank Sports. If ever there was a greater need to build some momentum going into the first week of the finals this was the match with significant milestones to Club stalwarts Sticks (200 games) and Butch (350 games) providing an added incentive.
The energy was good in the rooms prior to the game and that translated into a strong start, something that has been lacking for a number of weeks. It was the milestone man, Butch, who opened the goal-scoring after just 3 minutes after some nice build up play by Wazza and Moylan. It was refreshing to see a goal celebrated as a goal should and it became increasingly apparent that this was a different Warriors team. The clichéd 1 percenters were back in the Warriors arsenal with a number of players happy to place a shepherd on for a mate and the talk around the ground was nothing but positive. A goal from Rooster stretched the lead further and when Moylan snapped truly late in the quarter the Warriors had the only 3 goals for the term.
It was more of the same in the second term with Butcher kicking his 2nd and when Razzle, who was getting a heap of the ball all over the ground, slotted a nice left footer from the pocket the lead was out to 5 goals.
The defence was standing strong lead by Stapo and Considine while 2nd-gamer Hobby continued to run straight lines out of the back-line. The dominance down back coupled with the added pressure through the midfield resulted in the visitors taking over 35 minutes to kick their first major. This dominance down back also resulted in a number of scoring opportunities up forward, however the radar was off as we managed an inaccurate 2.6 for the quarter.
Looking to capitalise on the opportunities in the second half and reward the boys for their good work up the ground Moylan put his hand up kicking 2 goals in the first 2 minutes. Rooster found Butch (again) as he slotted his 3rd for the day.
Kinky, who was playing his best game since his return, continually created space for himself on the wing and it was a precision pass to Buster that allowed him to bang one through from 50. Considine continued to take strong marks across half back and drive the ball forward and with Abbs controlling the stoppages the Warriors kicked an economic 5 straight for the term.
Wanting to run out the game strongly in front of a growing home crowd, for the third quarter in a row, Moylan kicked the opener. It was then left to the veteran to close out the game in style (and that he did) as the one known as Butch kicked his 4th, 5th and 6th goals of the day to send us into the finals with a convincing 10-goal win.
The victory was soured by a nasty hamstring injury to acting captain Rooster who was playing his best game in recent memory.
Best on Ground: J. Considine, D. Allison, B. Heard, S. Uglow, J. Hobby, J. Moylan (while the other 16 guys can be proud of their contributions in what was a good team performance).
NB. The Season Starts Now.
Division 4
Mac Uni 11.14.80 beat Moorebank Sports 9.2.56
The last game for the season saw the Warriors play host to Moorebank Sports. With no games remaining for the season, and no hope of playing finals football, the Warriors were playing for pride, with the hope of snapping a three game losing streak to finish the season on a high.
The first quarter started well as we had all the possession and gave our forward line plenty of chances. Tomi was providing great service out of the middle and Griz was finding the football at will, which all augured well for a dominant Warriors display. Unfortunately, a crowded forward line and some wasteful kicking meant that we did not fully capitalise on the glut of possession that came our way. Sneak opened the scoring with a long bomb from outside fifty, and Rusty snuck through for a couple of majors from the pocket, but a late goal to Moorebank meant that the scores were fairly close at quarter time.
Injuries to Timmy and Elliot meant that we were two men down going into the second term. While this did not help, it did not excuse a sorry Warriors performance that extended throughout the second and third quarters. Continual laziness saw Moorebank run riot through the middle and get a run on, as they kicked away to a 9 point lead at the last change. Julz and Lukey were working hard as usual through the middle, and Storky was proving a solid contributor down back, but it was going to take a lift in effort from all players to get us over the line.
The last quarter saw a much needed lift in intensity and effort from the boys, and with a more even spread of contributors the momentum of the game started to turn. Stumpy presented brilliantly again to turn in yet another 5 goal performance and Goo slotted into the forward line with immediate impact, kicking a goal and setting up another. With our heads full of steam once more we were able to kick away and record a 24 point win, one that was much deserved from all the boys.
Special thanks to Mick and Chappo for helping out coaching on the day, a 100% record looks good compared to the 50% that other bloke had so you guys might be in line for a job next season!
Best on Ground: T. Kallio, P. Grzic, J. Beaman, L. Kalaf, A. Russell, B. Stork
U18 Challenge Cup
Mac Uni 3.5.23 lost to Moorebank Sports 13.18.96
Our final game for the season saw us taking on Moorebank at home with a 12pm start in great conditions. The 1st bounce saw us get a quick kick into our forward line and Fish kicking a contender for goal of the year from the boundary and all this within 30 seconds of the game starting.
But from there on it was mainly one way traffic as Moorebank was able to apply scoreboard pressure and hold us goalless until the final term. While we maintained our intensity of the previous couple of weeks we could not penetrate into our forward line despite Kyle, Diesel's and Jamie's efforts down back. Once again onballers Sammy, Belly and Pooley worked hard to win us the footy.
Even though we were out played it was great to see the boys determined to play the game out with the same spirit, desire and determination we have been building on in the last few weeks and standing up for each other and not being intimidated even though the scoreboard was getting away from us which is a real credit to them.
Best on Ground: S. Lehmann, K. Morkel, T. Morris, C. Poole, J. Van Leeuwen, J. Bell
Last Modified on 25/08/2009 11:36