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After the first weekend of the Sydney AFL competition was sent into chaos thanks to rain and ground closures, it was disheartening for many that the threat of rain lingered over the second weekend. Fortunately the UNSW-ES Bulldogs and Stingrays – after having multiple matches postponed and moved the prior weekend – were left untouched and all seven matches went ahead as scheduled.
Div Five and the Stingrays Div Two were the latest teams to kick off their season. For the Stingrays it was a particularly special match as it was the inaugural match for our Div Two ladies – A great reward for a lot of hard work that has gone into making a second women's team possible. Overall it was a solid weekend, securing four victories including a win to the seniors in Premier Division.
Playing the final match of the weekend at Henson Park on Sunday, the Premier Division boys got off to a flying start against Sydney University in poor conditions. On a weekend where goals were at a premium, and goal kicking accuracy the difference in many games, taking a 4.4 (28) to 1.3 (9) lead to the quarter time break was always going to be tough to reel in.
From here the game turned into an arm wrestle with only five more goals being kicked for the entire games – neither team kicking more than one goal in a quarter. The Bulldogs eventually taking out a taxing 6.15 (51) – 4.11 (35) victory. Half back flanker Abayna Davis was named best afield and received the Sydney AFL rising start award, whilst two goals from David Batten were crucial.
Division One were already under the pump due to numerous injuries, and with a couple more late withdrawals things were looking bleak. But the bulldog spirit was not broken and no less than five Div Two and Div Four boys did what had to be done and pulled on the boots. It needs to be mentioned that Div Four had two hours prior secured their first victory of the year in Blacktown before embarking on the journey to Wollongong. On top of this Doggies stalwart Craig Higgins had his first run in three years.
Despite these setbacks UNSW-ES put in a credible performance against Illawarra were relegated from Premier Division and are expected to be a serious contender for the Div One title. The lions got the early jump to a 26-6 lead at quarter time, but a fantastic second quarter saw the margin pegged back a fraction – The dogs going to the main break 34-18 in arrears.
As the match continued on the home team kept enough breathing space between our boys to be comfortable, but at no point did they look like running away with the game. This was also helped but extremely accurate kicking in front of goal from the Dogs. The final score was 10.11 (71) – 7.0 (42) with veteran Troy Luff putting three between the big sticks in a best on ground performance.
Kicking off Sunday's triple header against Sydney University at Henson Park was CP's Div Two boys. After a gutting close defeat at the hands of UTS the previous week, this weekend's match against the reigning Div Two premiers was expected to be a massive challenge. Things did not start well. Kicking with a solid breeze Sydney Uni took full advantage to post a decisive 7.3 (45) – 1.1 (7) lead at the first break.
The Dogs managed use the wind and peg back the lead by a goal, but it still left our boys right behind the eight ball, heading to the break 59-27 adrift. To the dogs credit they kept coming at every opportunity and managed to keep Sydney Uni honest. The final score of 15.11 (101) – 6.5 (41) was a fair reflection of the match, but also a reminder the this team can still take it to the top sides for periods. Most encouraging was the performance of Irish recruit Conor Moloney, whilst another newcomer Hugo Goode showed great dash of the half back line.
A late ground change cut the Div Four boys travel time significantly, and allowed them to have a run on the Blacktown International Sports Park. Their opposition was the Wollondilly Knights – a team new to the Sydney AFL and whose previous weeks encounter had been postponed till June.
In an extremely tight and tough encounter, neither team was able to post a major through the first quarter. At no stage were goals easy to find, and the dogs took the most slender of leads into the final change up 3.11 (29) – 3.10 (28).
A commanding final term from best on ground midfielder Tim Dickson (3 goals) was the decisive performance, with UNSW-ES kicking the only three goals of the final term. The final score 6.18 (54) – 3.15 (33) a great send off to clubman Calvin Cain who is leaving for Melbourne this week.
As mentioned earlier several Div Four players made a massive to journey from Blacktown to Wollongong to strap on the boots for another four quarters of footy to help out the Div One boys. A special shout out to Steve Chook Mcilwrath, Stephan Whelan, Dennis Rider and Troy Nicoll. Div One's Simon Potter also featured in the game before backing up to play Sydney Uni on Sunday. A fantastic effort from all involved showing what the dogs are all about.
After having their first round game postponed, Wrighty's Div Five boys were champing at the bit to get their season underway against Holyroyd-Parramatta. Unfortunately things didn't start the way the dogs would have wanted with the Goanna's getting the early jump to take a 26-8 lead to the first break, their full forward kicking 3 goals and threatening to tear apart our backline.
But in a stunning turn around the bulldogs showed what has been developing in the lower grades completely playing HP off the park to kick 16 of the final 17 goals of the match. After heading the goanna's – and then some – during the second quarter to take a 46-27 lead to the main break the foot was never taken off the pedal. Big man Sam Wright led the way in front of goals with 5 goals but it was the dominant midfield performances of Cameron Dunn and Ian Gunn which set up the 16.10 (106) – 5.3 (33) victory.
As with most games across the Sydney AFL this weekend the Under 19's played out a low scoring match against Sydney Uni at Henson Park on Sunday. The first half was a dour affair on a slow ground, with both teams heading to half time with only one goal to their name.
With the teams tiring the defences opened up a fraction in the third term and the dogs found themselves with a 29-22 lead at three quarter time. In a superb last quarter display the young dogs kept coming and managed to pull clear of Sydney Uni to run out 6.7 (43) – 3.7 (25) winners. Timothy Coenen was adjudged best afield.
One of the highlights of the week was the Stingray's Division Two team playing in their first ever game. Getting a second women's team up and running has been a lot of hard work and just to see new coach Jemma Still have her girls running around was a great reward.
First up for the Stingray's was the relegated Wollongong Saints. The saints got the early jump and took an 18 point lead to quarter time to set the stingers a tough task to get back into the game. Showing great resilience, UNSW-ES stuck with saints for the next two quarters, and were still in with an outside chance the last change with the saints leading 44-21.
Unfortunately the saints were able to come home stronger, and replicated the first quarter kicking 4 goals to 1 to finish the game 10.9 (69) – 4.5 (29) winners. Shani Lauf was the best for the rays, while Shani Sleeman did well to boot home two majors.
The action continues next weekend with the Stingrays Division One the last of our 8 teams to start their season. The highlight next weekend is the return to Village Green with all six men's teams playing their first games at the VG, including a Saturday triple header (Under 19's, Div 1, Prems) against Pennant Hills. After all games we want to see all players get back to the Doncaster Hotel for a few beers and a recap of the days action.
Last Modified on 07/04/2014 21:21