SENIORS
We travelled to Holroyd-Parramatta last round for Round 8 and a very important match to get the finals campaign moving. After 2nd Division and Ressies started the day off with comprehensive victories, the platform was set for Seniors to continue the winning ways.
Unfortunately, we again started off the blocks slowly with only two shots on goal in the first quarter and chasing our tails for most of the first half. Half time saw a tight ball game with us up by only one point – a fair reflection of the game thus far.
We clawed back in front with a great 3rd quarter to kick 4 goals 5 behinds. However, once again inaccurate kicking cost us dearly and this being the game we spoke about prior whereby inaccurate kicking would cost us eventually.
The final quarter saw the Goannas kick one, we replied with the same until the dying minutes whereby the Goannas kicked two important goals putting them 13 points up and too far to climb back with only a couple of minutes remaining.
Barnesy did what was asked of him today and played a best-on performance, Whytey tussled all day again, Banga was at his usual graceful best, Slime stepped up really well and Poodle played his best for the season in cleaning up plenty in the back line and starting many runs from there. As usual, the ever reliable ruck pairing of Big Kev and Phar Lap continue to give us the clearances we need.
Full credit to the Goannas who showed their usual true grit and continue to really pull out great games against us. We enjoy the healthy rivalry we have and points go to the Goannas this time.
You could say that the bye comes at an opportune time for us to regroup for our next three matches starting with Manly under lights, then Sharks and UTS, all at home which should be an added advantage for us.
We are looking forward to the next few weeks being high quality on the track as we pull out all punches to take on the form teams of the competition.
Mac Uni 9-9-63 lost to Holroyd-Parramatta 10-11-71
Best on Ground – Barnesy, Whyety, Reece, TJ, Poodle, Latte
RESERVES
The boys made the trek out to Gipps Road to take on the Goannas, who were always going to be physical and determined at home for a win. Great conditions for footy with the sun stinging the eyes down at the baseball end and the pitch getting hotter than a Shane Warne text message throughout the day making the rotations even more important.
The Warriors got off to a great start by kicking the first couple of goals, setting up a small lead at the first break and a four goal lead at the main break. Damo Didak was proving hard to stop from the forward pocket, crumbing and taking a few grabs, supported buy Buster Gehrig who was a big lead up forward and worked hard all day providing many options and happy to let the coaches know. With Rooster’s hard running and talk in support the front three were never going to be stopped.
The on-ball brigade worked tirelessly, playing physical footy, getting in front all day and tackling the house down, led by Marshy and Boris, then Mighty once he found the street directory.
The ruck combination of Plugger and Goldy was working a treat, both giants winning more taps than the main prize winner of a plumbers raffle and placing the ball down the throats of the on-ballers, and taking good contested marks around the ground.
A couple of goals lead at the first break and a 28pt lead at the main change the boys were looking forward to a rest as the temperature started to rise at Goanna park.
The message from the stand-in coaches at the main break was to focus on the pressure that was being applied on the ball carriers in the first half, and to get numbers behind the ball, which was to come from hard running from the wingers and flankers.
Although many of the first graders wanted to hear a spray at half time, there was no need for this as the team was in control of the game.
Half way through the third quarter, Captain Stringer and the fellow experienced backmen noticed a spare Goanna hanging around the forward line looking for a cheap possession. After doing a quick headcount, Stringer noticed 19 Goannas out there and demanded a head count. It was then revealed that Parra had 19 on the field and their score would be put back to zero. Macquarie then kicked the next two goals to end the quarter.
The message at the main break was not to hang the boots up, but sink them in and put another five or so goals on the board and finish them off. The boys responded and only let the Goannas kick 2.3 in the last term.
Well done to the team for a four quarter effort and remaining disciplined for the entire match and getting away with the four points.
With no match this weekend and a few injury concerns coming from the game, its very important that we remain focused as Manly will come prepared to take us on in the twilight match at home in two weeks.
Well Played!
Mac Uni 15-9-99 beat Holroyd-Parramatta 2-3-15
Best on Ground – Marshy, Damo, Plugger, Busta, Whistler, Mighty
U18’s
With a 2pm kick off the boys enjoyed a sleep in before the trip to play Moorebank Sports away. With some improved results for Moorebank of late we knew we were in for a tough game and that was what we got.
After a see-sawing 1st quarter we managed to kick 5 goals to 1 in the 2nd to lead by 33 points at half time due to some great work from Marky Bennett, Tom VL & James McBrien in our back line.
The 3rd quarter was riddled with turnovers due to the pressure put on us from a determined opposition and would be close to the worst quarter of footy we have played this year.
To the boys credit after a ¾ time spray, they came out and played like they know they can with Jordan Bell and Dylan Brogan winning plenty of the ball and feeding Duncan Moore perfectly – who was due for a bagfull after some consistent games and ended up with 7 goals. We eventually ran out winners by 51 points and will enjoy the week off before coming back against Manly.
Great to see Ranga, Pete & Cath out for the game.
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
Round 8 was great for us to finally field a full side with the inclusion of some old heads – we even had a full bench which kept myself busy with the magnets.
A dominant first quarter saw us finish with 9 shots on goal versus 3 which set the benchmark for the rest of the match. We really started the game off well and things continued from there.
Second quarter saw the Goannas find their feet and able to kick 4 goals 2 behinds. However, one thing they did lack was the presence of Rowdy who with his first touch getting a hard ball get and able to offload to Donnie, saw Donnie kick a cracker from 50.
It seems some weren’t happy by leading by plenty and a 3 quarter spray from the eloquent wordsmith Wookie sent the boys back out to finish the game off with 6 goals to put the nail in the coffin.
New recruit Curly played very well in his first game for the Club and unfortunately we will probably lose him to Ressies quite quickly. Agile Nippa did well getting a thousand touches and being chased around the ground by a fellow-little fella. Hodgo did well on the half forward line finally turning up for his first match. It as good to have big Jed up the front and with Guns leading well all over the park things were sure to succeed. Smiley was at his opportunistic best kicking 6 goals, God knows how, he just seems to do it.
A highlight of the game was the effervescent Rowdy crumbing the ball outside 50, nah lets make it 80, steps one, nah two, and plants the leather on the right boot, sending the ball sailing deep into the goal square and bouncing through. True stuff of legend and a goal that may be spoken about for years to come.
Mac Uni 18-10-118 beat Holroyd-Parramatta 8-9-57
Best on Ground – Storky, Donnie, Smiley, Bomber, Nippa, Guns
Last Modified on 03/06/2008 11:24