Minor Semi-Final Report – Newtown vs Sydney University
In the minor Semi-Final, third placed Newtown played fourth placed defending premiers Sydney University. With the incentive of winning every match now to make the grand final or the terror of being eliminated if they lost, both teams were keen and willing to take each other on a very cold, overcast and gale force conditions on Saturday.
In the first quarter, the Newtown Breakaways and Sydney University Bombers traded a goal each. Both sides tended to use the corridor but were unable to convert their forward possessions.
Newtown 1.1.7 Sydney University 1.0.6
In the second quarter, the Breakaways put on two goals into the wind whilst Sydney University were guilty of not using their footy brains all the time as there were plenty of occasions they outnumbered the Breakaways at ground contests but with a failure to communicate their options/availability, the correct option wasn’t always chosen.
Newtown 3.3.21 Sydney University 1.1.7
In the third quarter, Sydney University came back with enthusiasm and intent. Newtown responded well and although the goals were even at two each at this quarter, they increased their lead slightly.
Newtown 5.8.38 Sydney University 3.1.19
In the final quarter, an early goal by University gave the team a dream which was cruelly smashed by the Newtown centre team as Natalie and Melanie Roach decided to put the foot on the accelerator and ran in six goals in this quarter. Both teams had tried hard but Newtown’s experience in putting in the hard yards throughout the season showed to win by 53 point winners.
Newtown 11.12.78 Sydney University 4.1.25
Conclusion: Sydney University fielding only one team after their premiership triumph and retirements amongst some key players in 2007 were in a rebuilding phase in 2008. They have much to look forward to with some exciting new talent unearthed this year such as Holly Shuttleworth and Matilda Fergusson. Next year with a more settled coaching setup, they may re-emerge as a SWAFL force.
For Newtown Breakaways and Coach Chris, it was a solid victory that had to be worked at and with an entry to the preliminary final; they can feel confident of a real chance to make the 2008 SWAFL Grand Final.
Newtown Goals: Rebecca Burridge (3), Cassie Lees (2), Jemma Still (1) , Carly Reasbeck (1), Lisa Baldock (1), Brooke Davis (1), Rebecca McKee (1) and Roseline Graham (1)
Sydney University Goals: Talei Owen (2), Alex Roberts (1), Julia Chessman (1)
Major Semi-Final Report – Wests vs Balmain
All supporters were licking their lips at this anticipated clash between the two best teams in SWAFL. With the winner being given an automatic entry to the 2008 SWAFL Grand Final, it was all to play for.
In the first quarter, Wests were awesome – Balmain was absent. Balmain had a few forward entries into the forward 50m but stout Wests defence and kicking to 50/50 contests meant that Balmain went scoreless at one end whilst at the other end Wests scored three goals. An early limp to Balmain goal-kicking sensation Belinda Pride put the chills in the Dockers camp but luckily it only proved temporarily. Wests Full-forward and SWAFL leading goal-kicker Marie “Irish” Keating kicked her 94th goal of the season in this quarter.
Wests 3.1.19 Balmain 0.0.0
In the second quarter, Wests continued to be awesome – Balmain were still absent. West inaccuracy kicking into the wind may come back to bite but in this quarter with Balmain unable to score a point, it didn’t look like it was going to matter. Marie Keating kicked goals 95 and 96 leading to much anticipation amongst the crowd and team-mates that we were going to invade the ground to celebrate. Not being too critical of Balmain but like Lara Bingle: “Where the bloody hell, are you?” must have been asked by Coach Darren to his Dockers team at half-time to put some presence on the field.
Wests 6.5.41 Balmain 0.0.0
In the third quarter, Balmain made some major changes to its engine room with new rucks and centres and it seemed to work with the Dockers outscoring Wests 3 goals to 2 in this quarter. With a new found purpose and resolve amongst both teams, it was physical and hard fought. With plenty of bumps across the ground, it was physical and tough and that’s the way the spectators wanted it!
Wests 8.8.56 Balmain 3.1.19
In the final quarter, it was as if Balmain had realised the urgency of the task at hand whilst Wests had declared a public holiday. Now Balmain had the running and scored all the points and Wests were unable to score. The momentum was such with the Balmain Dockers in this quarter that another five minutes like the 1989 VFL Grand Final would have resulted in victory for the Dockers but letting in such a mammoth lead in the first half would prove to be insurmountable. Balmain decided to be a bit more direct and hit their half-forwards on the lead and Belinda Pride got in her groove to kick two goals including one after the siren. Natalie Morgan for the Dockers scored a great goal being involved in a contest with one of the rookie stars of the year, 14 year old Emma Brown (Wests) who hadn’t let in a goal by her direct opponents throughout the year until today.
Wests 8.8.56 Balmain 6.4.40
Conclusion: What a fantastic match from both teams! The coaches would be proud of their charges but probably irritated at the way in the way that both sides could not play footy for the whole 80 minutes. For Wests – a grand final appearance since their premiership in 2006 and Marie Keating 4 goals away to score the ton in their final match of the season. For Balmain, a second chance against Newtown in next Saturday’s preliminary final at Mahoney Park (12 noon).
Wests Goals: Marie Keating (3), Rachel Mercer (2), Cynthia Dufaut (1), Heidi Wiedner (1), Kaya Lyons (1)
Balmain Goals: Belinda Pride (2), Natalie Morgan (1), Kate Walsh (1), Karla Spilarawicz (1), Natasha Devlin (1)
Last Modified on 23/08/2008 23:26