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SYDNEY AFL ROUND 7 2011 
Article by Michael Shillito. Pics by Bob Inman.
The Foxtel Cup is a new and interesting innovation for footy around the country. Putting the top teams from various state leagues around the country against each other, in games televised around the country, it can become to state league footy what the European Champions League is to soccer; with the added attraction that playing well on this stage wouldn’t do any harm at all to anyone’s hopes of being drafted into the AFL.
One place in the league was allocated to the Sydney AFL, that place being taken by last year’s champions East Coast Eagles. On Saturday evening, they took on traditional SANFL powerhouse Port Adelaide at the SCG, in the curtain-raiser to the Swans v Power game.
Port Adelaide, wearing the traditional black and white “prison bar” strip, flew a star-studded team to Sydney. Current AFL players Ivan Maric, Mitchell Banner and Jacob Surjan lined up for the Magpies. The Port side also included former Sydney Swan James Meiklejohn and former Collingwood Grand Finallist Tom Lokan.
Port were looking strong early, peppering the goals but missing some shots. The Eagles worked hard, and the efforts of Stephen O’Connor in the ruck were particularly notable. O’Connor has been around the scene for a few years, but has made the next step this season and become one of Sydney AFL’s best performers. A strong run by Rowan Bilkey repelled a Port forward raid, a strong defensive mark by Damien Charleston saved another goal, but weight of possession would eventually take its toll; a double by Surjan and a major from Maric putting the Magpies 22 points ahead at the first change.
The scoreboard continued to tick over Port’s way in the second term. It wasn’t for a lack of effort, with the Eagles putting everything they had into the contest. But the Eagles eventually found a way forward, switching play to Rowan Bilkey in the centre who drove the ball long into the 50 where O’Connor was collected high and was awarded a free 35 out. The kick went straight through, and the Eagles finally had a goal on the board.
Shortly afterwards, Shane Ryan moved the ball forward again to O’Connor but O’Connor’s kick narrowly missed. The Eagles were competing more for the ball, Jon Vlatko picking up plenty of possessions in the midfield, but eventually Port would force the turnovers that created more chances for the Magpies.
The Eagles were unlucky to miss out on another scoring chance, when Shane Ryan pumped the ball forward for Jamie Vlatko to mark within range; but the umpire called the ball back to Ryan and the chance was gone; and the Magpies would go on to lead by 35 points at the long break.
The Eagles elected not to return to the rooms at half time, instead choosing to stay on the ground during the break. But the Magpies, when they returned to the field, were finding more space and more room to move than they did in the first half. By now, Port Adelaide’s Outer Army had arrived for the AFL game that would follow, and were providing vocal support to the Magpies. Former Swan James Meiklejohn was relishing his return to the SCG and presenting himself as a forward target.
The Magpies would score six goals for the quarter, while the Eagles added their second for the game during the term. It came from a 2-kick coast to coast play. Trent Baker went long from the half-back line, the ball landing in the centre and a freak bounce took it forward and O’Connor out-ran two opponents to get to the ball first and slam it through.
With Port leading by 62 points at the last change, the contest was already effectively decided; and Port showed no mercy in the last quarter, running out a full four quarters to extend the final margin to 92 points. The Magpies go through to the next round of the Foxtel Cup, while East Coast are out.
Stephen O’Connor kicked both the Eagles’ goals, and along with Jon Vlatko and Trent Baker were among their best performers.
Although the Eagles were well beaten on the day, to get the opportunity to take on a top SANFL club is an experience that will put them in good stead and was an afternoon they will remember. And despite the margin, there were positive performances – little moments of brilliance, small glimpses where the Davids were more than competitive against the South Australian Goliaths.
But the performance shows the difference in standard between the two leagues. The Magpies certainly benefit from being bolstered by current AFL-listed players. The Sydney AFL has lifted in standard over the years, but there’s still a long way to go to match it with the SANFL. But events like the Foxtel Cup give our footy players in Sydney another occasion to aspire to; and hopefully there’ll still be a place for the Sydney AFL reigning premier in the Foxtel Cup in future seasons, even when there are Sydney clubs in the NEAFL.
In addition to the Foxtel Cup, there was also a full round of action through the Sydney AFL divisions this weekend. All Premier Division games were played on Saturday afternoon.
Gore Hill Oval hosted an enthralling battle as North Shore hosted Balmain. The first half was an arm-wrestle, a tactical battle which, although low-scoring, was a fascinating battle. Nine goals were scored in the first half, every one of them resulting in a lead change; and scores were tied up at the long break.
The premiership quarter would be the decisive one when the fate of the game would be determined. Balmain burst into action after half time, scoring four goals in the first 10 minutes after the break. The Bombers got one back before the last change, and scored again in the early minutes of the final term and suddenly the margin was back to within two kicks. But the Dockers defended grimly as the Bombers threw everything at them; and having seen off the Bomber challenge the Dockers scored three goals in time-on to blow the final margin out to 29 points.
Daniel Turner again had another chapter written in his impressive 2011 season with a best-on-ground performance, while Travis Stevens and Matt Edwins also made key contributions to the Dockers’ win. For the Bombers, Ron Wason, Richie Lynch and Adrian Harry were among their best. Thanks to East Coast having the bye while they appeared in the Foxtel Cup, the win was enough to restore the Dockers to the top of the ladder.
Sydney Uni maintained their spot in the top 3, and added another chapter to Campbelltown’s disappointing 2011 season, when the Students recorded a comfortable 85-point win at Blacktown Olympic Park. There was only a kick in it at the first change, but the Students took control in the second term, a run of four goals to one extending the margin to 24 points at the long break.
The Students again emerged the stronger side after the break, and although the Blues put up their best efforts they were powerless to prevent the Students from getting to a 7-goal lead at the last change. And then the Campbelltown resistance crumbled, the Students having little difficulty in adding another nine goals in the final term.
Young ruckman Craig Moller had a senior debut to remember, scoring five goals; while the Students also received a return of four goals from Tim Barrett. Alex Lee, Jack Caspersonn and Anton Turco were prominent performers for the Students. For the Blues, although well beaten, had strong performances from Kane Clark, Bryce Martin and Kurt Hanson.
Pennant Hills snapped a 2-game losing streak, while Wests slumped to their fourth loss on the trot, when the Demons completed a 31-point victory at Mike Kenny Oval. The Magpies had the better of the first quarter and led by 12 points at the first change, but the Demons kicked the only two goals of the second term to take the lead at the half time.
The first half had been low scoring, but the game opened up in the second half and the Demons were better able to take advantage. The margin was 17 points at the last change, but the momentum was running Pennant Hills’ way, and the Magpies were unable to wrest back the initiative as the Demons ran out the final quarter and victory was a matter of time.
The Demons were well served through the afternoon by Kieran Wright, Brant Jack and Jarred Mobbs; but it was a solid team effort that will go a long way towards getting the Demons’ season back on track. But it was another disappointing afternoon for the Magpies. David Cusick, Lynn Roehrig and Bill Lafferty were among their best, but the Magpies remain winless since round 2 and will be looking for some form of circuit-breaker to turn their 2011 fortunes around.
Illawarra won just two games in 2010, but have already overtaken that tally this season, taking out their third win of the season at North Dalton Oval. And the Lions did it in style, with a dominant 84-point victory over local rivals St George.
The Lions could sense a strong performance was coming when they slammed through six goals in the opening quarter to lead by 32 points at the first change. And the Dragons were never a chance to get back into the contest, scoring only one goal in each quarter while the Lions were adding enough goals to be constantly stretching their lead, and with each goal the Lions’ confidence grew.
Ryan Price was a star up forward with six goals, while Ken Ewen-Chappell and Andrew Barned each contributed four goals to the Wollongong cause, all being prominent performers for the Lions, while Lewis Wilson was best on ground. The Lions find themselves only one game out of the top 5, and in their seventh season in Premier Division they have rising hopes of finally breaking through or their first finals appearance.
It was a disappointing game for the Dragons; but Ben Jones, Pat McBride and Daniel Perdrau worked hard all afternoon.
With St George’s loss, UNSW-ES capitalised to leap-frog the Dragons and climb to fourth place on the ladder. The Bulldogs controlled proceedings in the second half against UTS at the Village Green to take a 58-point victory, their fourth of the season.
A see-sawing and high-scoring opening term finished with the Bats leading by 3 points at quarter time. And the second quarter was also a free-flowing and evenly contested affair. At the long break, the Bulldogs were 3 points ahead, and few would have anticipated that the second half would be as one-sided as it was.
But the Bulldogs came out breathing fire in the second half, slamming on five quick goals after the break. The Bats had enjoyed plenty of opportunities, but were unable to convert. At the last change, despite both sides having had 17 scoring shots, the Bulldogs were 30 points ahead. And with six unanswered goals in the final quarter, the Bulldogs asserted their authority and ensured a comfortable win.
Leigh Lavery’s strong season up forward continued with a 5-goal haul for the Bulldogs. Oscar Sidlo-Jones was best on ground, while Xavier Brennan and Ben Woods were also strong performers. Alan Kymantas, Fearghal Purcell and Tom Steinfort picked up plenty of the ball for UTS; but the result means the Bats are still looking for their first win in Premier Division.
FOXTEL CUP
Port Adelaide Magpies 3.5 6.7 12.8 16.11 (107)
East Coast Eagles 0.1 1.2 2.2 2.3 (15)
Goals : Port Adelaide - Meiklejohn 4, Maric 3, Butcher 2, Surjan 2, Kulikowski, Gray, Harder, Hoskin, Kirkwood. East Coast – S O’Connor 2.
Best : Port Adelaide - Meiklejohn, Kirkwood, Maric, Surjan, Erskine, Banner. East Coast – S O’Connor, Jon Vlatko, T Baker.
At Sydney Cricket Ground, Saturday 14th May 2011.
Premier Division
Balmain 3.5 4.8 8.10 11.12 (78)
North Shore 4.1 5.2 6.4 7.7 (49)
Goals : Balmain – A Azhar 3, J Saddington 3, T Schmidt, J Farrell, M Edwins, A Clark, N Todd. North Shore – P Brackin 3, S Paynter, R Wason, T Strudwick, P Codling.
Best : Balmain – D Turner, T Stevens, M Edwins, A Clark, J Blums, B Taggart. North Shore – R Wason, R Lynch, A Harry, T Strudwick, C MacKinnon, D Ross.
At Gore Hill Oval Saturday 14th May 2011.
Sydney University 3.0 7.5 12.8 21.11 (137)
Campbelltown 2.1 3.5 5.8 7.10 (52)
Goals : Sydney Uni – C Moller 5, T Barrett 4, S Crichton 3, A Campbell 2, A Lee 2, M Carter 2, A Turco, J Caspersonn, J Martin. Campbelltown – N Hudson 2, K Clark 2, K Hanson 2, J Watts.
Best : Sydney Uni – A Lee, J Caspersonn, A Turco, J McCreary, C Moller, C Kendrick. Campbelltown – K Clark, B Martin, K Hanson, M Leach, M Linsen, M Morey.
At Blacktown Olympic Park, Saturday 14th May 2011.
Pennant Hills 1.2 3.5 7.9 12.13 (85)
Western Suburbs 3.2 3.3 5.4 8.6 (54)
Goals : Pennant Hills – J Lewis 2, N Campbell 2, D De Looze, B Unwin, M Thomas, K Wright, L Bilbe, A Goodall, D Dell’Aquila, D Jack. Wests – M Eurell 3, K Walford 2, D Watkins 2, S Pearson.
Best : Pennant Hills – K Wright, B Jack, J Mobbs, A Goodall, N Campbell, J Lewis. Wests – D Cusick, L Roehrig, B Lafferty, D Watkins, D Lambert, R Bamford.
At Mike Kenny Oval, Saturday 14th May 2011.
Illawarra 6.3 10.4 15.9 17.13 (115)
St George 1.1 2.4 3.4 4.7 (31)
Goals : Illawarra – R Price 6, K Ewen-Chappell 4, A Barned 4, M Toussis, B Patterson, J Lewis. St George – J Shineberg, C Ogle, N Ryan, B Sharp.
Best : Illawarra – L Wilson, A Barned, R Price, R Cutifani, K Ewen-Chappell, M Toussis. St George – B Jones, P McBride, D Perdrau, C Ogle, B McEvoy, M Holmes.
At North Dalton Oval, Saturday 14th May 2011.
UNSW-ES 4.2 6.5 11.6 17.9 (111)
UTS 4.5 5.8 6.11 6.17 (53)
Goals : UNSW-ES – L Lavery 5, B Elleman 3, A Gulden 2, B Woods 2, N Tsindos, R Troon, T Heath, B Haberley, A Rodrigues. UTS – A Davis 3, D Teasdale 2, F Purcell.
Best : UNSW-ES – O Sidlo-Jones, X Brennan, B Woods, N Tsindos, A Gulden, T Heath. UTS – A Kymantas, F Purcell, T Steinfort, C Tolj, M Trewhella, H Turner.
At Village Green, Saturday 14th May 2011.
First Division
Manly-Warringah 18.5 (113) d Sydney Uni 3.5 (23)
Macquarie Uni 19.12 (126) d North Shore 5.2 (32)
Pennant Hills 9.12 (66) d Western Suburbs 2.8 (20)
Southern Power 16.10 (106) d Illawarra 7.8 (50)
UNSW-ES 11.8 (74) d UTS 10.11 (71)
Ladder (Match Ratio) – Manly-Warringah (100, 383.80%), Macquarie Uni (85.71, 303.42%), Southern Power (80, 155.74%), East Coast (60, 138.13%), Sydney Uni (60, 84.08%), Pennant Hills (50, 84.24%), UNSW-ES (33.33, 57.20%), UTS (25, 73.88%), Wests (20, 54.70%), North Shore (20, 50.43%), Illawarra (0, 40.16%).
Second Division
NorWest 9.9 (63) d Manly-Warringah 2.5 (17)
Penrith 12.14 (86) d Holroyd-Parramatta 5.4 (34)
Sydney Uni 9.15 (69) d Camden 4.4 (28)
Auburn 8.8 (56) d Balmain 7.10 (52)
Moorebank 18.12 (120) d St George 8.5 (53)
Ladder (Match Ratio) – Sydney Uni (100, 198.38%), Balmain (83.33, 184.48%), Penrith (60, 147.08%), St George (60, 91.91%), Auburn (60, 90.59%), Holroyd-Parramatta (50, 111.38%), NorWest (40, 92.29%), Manly-Warringah (33.33, 58.82%), Moorebank (16.67, 72.56%), Camden (0, 49.79%).
Third Division
Macquarie Uni 21.21 (147) d North Shore 2.6 (18)
UNSW-ES 12.13 (85) d Sydney Uni 9.9 (63)
Southern Power 9.9 (63) d Campbelltown 8.8 (56)
UTS 15.8 (98) d Western Suburbs 6.2 (38)
Saints AFC 16.7 (103) d East Coast 4.11 (35)
Ladder (Match Ratio) – UNSW-ES (100, 293.05%), Saints AFC (75, 253.94%), UTS (75, 128.16%), Southern Power (60, 103.32%), Sydney Uni (60, 102.52%), East Coast (40, 66.08%), Macquarie Uni (33.33, 154.58%), Wests (25, 56.42%), Campbelltown (20, 46.77%), North Shore (20, 37.11%).
Fourth Division
NorWest 7.8 (50) d Manly-Warringah 5.10 (40)
Penrith 8.9 (57) d Holroyd-Parramatta 5.4 (34)
Macquarie Uni 14.21 (105) d Auburn 5.10 (40)
UTS 15.12 (102) d UNSW-ES 3.5 (23)
Ladder (Match Ratio) – Macquarie Uni (100, 205.78%), Penrith (80, 186.57%), UTS (66.67, 129.41%), Moorebank (60, 128.33%), Holroyd-Parramatta (40, 96.14%), NorWest (33.33, 93.03%), UNSW-ES (33.33, 54.70%), Manly-Warringah (25, 71.43%), Auburn (0, 31.91%).
Fifth Division
Sydney Uni 12.13 (85) d Camden 7.7 (49)
Macquarie Uni 21.23 (149) d Holroyd-Parramatta 4.2 (26)
Saints AFC 21.24 (150) d Manly-Warringah 4.10 (34)
Southern Power 8.7 (55) d Moorebank 2.3 (15)
Ladder – Southern Power (24, 268.75%), Sydney Uni (16, 155.96%), Macquarie Uni (12, 190.24%), Saints AFC (12, 149.35%), Manly-Warringah (12, 86.13%), Moorebank (8, 78.53%), Camden (4, 56.81%), Holroyd-Parramatta (0, 30.65%).
Under 18s Premier
Sydney Uni 15.10 (100) d UNSW-ES 2.6 (18)
Penrith 8.8 (56) d St Ignatius Riverview 6.5 (41)
Pennant Hills 9.10 (64) d Western Suburbs 4.8 (32)
North Shore 7.8 (50) d St George 7.6 (48)
East Coast 15.14 (104) d Illawarra 12.4 (76)
Ladder (Match Ratio) – North Shore (100, 236.47%), East Coast (100, 197.69%), St Ignatius Riverview (80, 112.29%), Sydney Uni (66.67, 187.13%), Pennant Hills (40, 75.75%), Wests (40, 67.24%), Penrith (40, 55.30%), St George (20, 92.24%), Illawarra (16.67, 67.54%), UNSW-ES (16.67, 64.94%).
Under 18s Challenge
Campbelltown 11.10 (76) d Southern Power 6.7 (43)
Mac Uni Kookas d Balmain – forfeit
Holroyd-Parramatta 9.14 (68) d Manly-Warringah 5.4 (34)
Mac Uni Warriors 15.13 (103) d Moorebank 6.10 (46)
Ladder (Match Ratio) – Campbelltown (100, 391.79%), Mac Uni Warriors (80, 158.62%), Southern Power (66.67, 138.59%), Holroyd-Parramatta (60, 132.00%), Manly-Warringah (50, 115.36%), East Coast (40, 51.71%), Balmain (20, 76.71%), Mac Uni Kookas (20, 45.07%), Moorebank (16.67, 50.09%).
NEXT WEEK’S FIXTURES
Premier Division (Lurker’s Kiss of Death in bold):
Saturday 21st May
Monarch Oval – Campbelltown v Illawarra (2:10pm)
Village Green – UNSW-ES v Pennant Hills (2:10pm)
Waverley Oval – UTS v North Shore (2:10pm)
Picken Oval – Western Suburbs v East Coast (2:30pm)
Sydney Uni No 1 Oval – Sydney Uni v St George (4:10pm)
BYE – Balmain
First Division
Saturday 21st May
Village Green – UNSW-ES v Pennant Hills (12pm)
Waverley Oval – UTS v North Shore (12pm)
Picken Oval – Western Suburbs v East Coast (12:30pm)
St Pauls Oval – Sydney Uni v Southern Power (2:10pm)
Weldon Oval – Manly-Warringah v Illawarra (2:10pm)
BYE – Macquarie Uni
Second Division
Saturday 21st May
Weldon Oval – Manly-Warringah v Balmain (12pm)
Sydney Uni No 1 Oval – Sydney Uni v St George (2pm)
Greygums Oval – Penrith v Auburn (2:10pm)
Gipps Rd Oval – Holroyd-Parramatta v Camden (2:30pm)
Rosedale Oval – Moorebank v NorWest (2:40pm)
Third Division
Saturday 21st May
Picken Oval – Western Suburbs v East Coast (10:30am)
Gore Hill Oval – North Shore v UTS (12pm)
Monarch Oval – Campbelltown v Macquarie Uni (12pm)
St Pauls Oval – Sydney Uni v Southern Power (12pm)
Sunday 22nd May
Village Green – UNSW-ES v Saints AFC (2pm)
Fourth Division
Saturday 21st May
Gipps Rd Oval – Holroyd-Parramatta v UTS (10:30am)
Greygums Oval – Penrith v Auburn (12pm)
Rosedale Oval – Moorebank v NorWest (12:30pm)
Village Green – UNSW-ES v Manly-Warringah (12pm)
BYE – Macquarie Uni
Fifth Division
Saturday 21st May
St Pauls Oval – Sydney Uni v Southern Power (10am)
Rosedale Oval – Moorebank v Manly-Warringah (10:30am)
University Oval – Macquarie Uni v Saints AFC (12pm)
Gipps Rd Oval – Holroyd-Parramatta v Camden (12:30pm)
Under 18s Premier
Saturday 21st May
Picken Oval – Western Suburbs v East Coast (8:30am)
Gore Hill Oval – North Shore v St Ignatius Riverview (10am)
Greygums Oval – Penrith v Illawarra (10am)
Village Green – UNSW-ES v Pennant Hills (10am)
Sydney Uni No 1 Oval – Sydney Uni v St George (7pm)
Under 18s Challenge
Saturday 21st May
Gipps Rd Oval – Holroyd-Parramatta v Balmain (8:30am)
University Oval – Mac Uni Warriors v Southern Power (10am)
Weldon Oval – Manly-Warringah v Campbelltown (10am)
Sunday 22nd May
Bruce Purser Reserve – East Coast v Mac Uni Kookas (3pm)
BYE – Moorebank
Article by Michael Shillito. Pics by Bob Inman.
The Foxtel Cup is a new and interesting innovation for footy around the country. Putting the top teams from various state leagues around the country against each other, in games televised around the country, it can become to state league footy what the European Champions League is to soccer; with the added attraction that playing well on this stage wouldn’t do any harm at all to anyone’s hopes of being drafted into the AFL.
One place in the league was allocated to the Sydney AFL, that place being taken by last year’s champions East Coast Eagles. On Saturday evening, they took on traditional SANFL powerhouse Port Adelaide at the SCG, in the curtain-raiser to the Swans v Power game.
Port Adelaide, wearing the traditional black and white “prison bar” strip, flew a star-studded team to Sydney. Current AFL players Ivan Maric, Mitchell Banner and Jacob Surjan lined up for the Magpies. The Port side also included former Sydney Swan James Meiklejohn and former Collingwood Grand Finallist Tom Lokan.
Port were looking strong early, peppering the goals but missing some shots. The Eagles worked hard, and the efforts of Stephen O’Connor in the ruck were particularly notable. O’Connor has been around the scene for a few years, but has made the next step this season and become one of Sydney AFL’s best performers. A strong run by Rowan Bilkey repelled a Port forward raid, a strong defensive mark by Damien Charleston saved another goal, but weight of possession would eventually take its toll; a double by Surjan and a major from Maric putting the Magpies 22 points ahead at the first change.
The scoreboard continued to tick over Port’s way in the second term. It wasn’t for a lack of effort, with the Eagles putting everything they had into the contest. But the Eagles eventually found a way forward, switching play to Rowan Bilkey in the centre who drove the ball long into the 50 where O’Connor was collected high and was awarded a free 35 out. The kick went straight through, and the Eagles finally had a goal on the board.
Shortly afterwards, Shane Ryan moved the ball forward again to O’Connor but O’Connor’s kick narrowly missed. The Eagles were competing more for the ball, Jon Vlatko picking up plenty of possessions in the midfield, but eventually Port would force the turnovers that created more chances for the Magpies.
The Eagles were unlucky to miss out on another scoring chance, when Shane Ryan pumped the ball forward for Jamie Vlatko to mark within range; but the umpire called the ball back to Ryan and the chance was gone; and the Magpies would go on to lead by 35 points at the long break.
The Eagles elected not to return to the rooms at half time, instead choosing to stay on the ground during the break. But the Magpies, when they returned to the field, were finding more space and more room to move than they did in the first half. By now, Port Adelaide’s Outer Army had arrived for the AFL game that would follow, and were providing vocal support to the Magpies. Former Swan James Meiklejohn was relishing his return to the SCG and presenting himself as a forward target.
The Magpies would score six goals for the quarter, while the Eagles added their second for the game during the term. It came from a 2-kick coast to coast play. Trent Baker went long from the half-back line, the ball landing in the centre and a freak bounce took it forward and O’Connor out-ran two opponents to get to the ball first and slam it through.
With Port leading by 62 points at the last change, the contest was already effectively decided; and Port showed no mercy in the last quarter, running out a full four quarters to extend the final margin to 92 points. The Magpies go through to the next round of the Foxtel Cup, while East Coast are out.
Stephen O’Connor kicked both the Eagles’ goals, and along with Jon Vlatko and Trent Baker were among their best performers.
Although the Eagles were well beaten on the day, to get the opportunity to take on a top SANFL club is an experience that will put them in good stead and was an afternoon they will remember. And despite the margin, there were positive performances – little moments of brilliance, small glimpses where the Davids were more than competitive against the South Australian Goliaths.
But the performance shows the difference in standard between the two leagues. The Magpies certainly benefit from being bolstered by current AFL-listed players. The Sydney AFL has lifted in standard over the years, but there’s still a long way to go to match it with the SANFL. But events like the Foxtel Cup give our footy players in Sydney another occasion to aspire to; and hopefully there’ll still be a place for the Sydney AFL reigning premier in the Foxtel Cup in future seasons, even when there are Sydney clubs in the NEAFL.
In addition to the Foxtel Cup, there was also a full round of action through the Sydney AFL divisions this weekend. All Premier Division games were played on Saturday afternoon.
Gore Hill Oval hosted an enthralling battle as North Shore hosted Balmain. The first half was an arm-wrestle, a tactical battle which, although low-scoring, was a fascinating battle. Nine goals were scored in the first half, every one of them resulting in a lead change; and scores were tied up at the long break.
The premiership quarter would be the decisive one when the fate of the game would be determined. Balmain burst into action after half time, scoring four goals in the first 10 minutes after the break. The Bombers got one back before the last change, and scored again in the early minutes of the final term and suddenly the margin was back to within two kicks. But the Dockers defended grimly as the Bombers threw everything at them; and having seen off the Bomber challenge the Dockers scored three goals in time-on to blow the final margin out to 29 points.
Daniel Turner again had another chapter written in his impressive 2011 season with a best-on-ground performance, while Travis Stevens and Matt Edwins also made key contributions to the Dockers’ win. For the Bombers, Ron Wason, Richie Lynch and Adrian Harry were among their best. Thanks to East Coast having the bye while they appeared in the Foxtel Cup, the win was enough to restore the Dockers to the top of the ladder.
Sydney Uni maintained their spot in the top 3, and added another chapter to Campbelltown’s disappointing 2011 season, when the Students recorded a comfortable 85-point win at Blacktown Olympic Park. There was only a kick in it at the first change, but the Students took control in the second term, a run of four goals to one extending the margin to 24 points at the long break.
The Students again emerged the stronger side after the break, and although the Blues put up their best efforts they were powerless to prevent the Students from getting to a 7-goal lead at the last change. And then the Campbelltown resistance crumbled, the Students having little difficulty in adding another nine goals in the final term.
Young ruckman Craig Moller had a senior debut to remember, scoring five goals; while the Students also received a return of four goals from Tim Barrett. Alex Lee, Jack Caspersonn and Anton Turco were prominent performers for the Students. For the Blues, although well beaten, had strong performances from Kane Clark, Bryce Martin and Kurt Hanson.
Pennant Hills snapped a 2-game losing streak, while Wests slumped to their fourth loss on the trot, when the Demons completed a 31-point victory at Mike Kenny Oval. The Magpies had the better of the first quarter and led by 12 points at the first change, but the Demons kicked the only two goals of the second term to take the lead at the half time.
The first half had been low scoring, but the game opened up in the second half and the Demons were better able to take advantage. The margin was 17 points at the last change, but the momentum was running Pennant Hills’ way, and the Magpies were unable to wrest back the initiative as the Demons ran out the final quarter and victory was a matter of time.
The Demons were well served through the afternoon by Kieran Wright, Brant Jack and Jarred Mobbs; but it was a solid team effort that will go a long way towards getting the Demons’ season back on track. But it was another disappointing afternoon for the Magpies. David Cusick, Lynn Roehrig and Bill Lafferty were among their best, but the Magpies remain winless since round 2 and will be looking for some form of circuit-breaker to turn their 2011 fortunes around.
Illawarra won just two games in 2010, but have already overtaken that tally this season, taking out their third win of the season at North Dalton Oval. And the Lions did it in style, with a dominant 84-point victory over local rivals St George.
The Lions could sense a strong performance was coming when they slammed through six goals in the opening quarter to lead by 32 points at the first change. And the Dragons were never a chance to get back into the contest, scoring only one goal in each quarter while the Lions were adding enough goals to be constantly stretching their lead, and with each goal the Lions’ confidence grew.
Ryan Price was a star up forward with six goals, while Ken Ewen-Chappell and Andrew Barned each contributed four goals to the Wollongong cause, all being prominent performers for the Lions, while Lewis Wilson was best on ground. The Lions find themselves only one game out of the top 5, and in their seventh season in Premier Division they have rising hopes of finally breaking through or their first finals appearance.
It was a disappointing game for the Dragons; but Ben Jones, Pat McBride and Daniel Perdrau worked hard all afternoon.
With St George’s loss, UNSW-ES capitalised to leap-frog the Dragons and climb to fourth place on the ladder. The Bulldogs controlled proceedings in the second half against UTS at the Village Green to take a 58-point victory, their fourth of the season.
A see-sawing and high-scoring opening term finished with the Bats leading by 3 points at quarter time. And the second quarter was also a free-flowing and evenly contested affair. At the long break, the Bulldogs were 3 points ahead, and few would have anticipated that the second half would be as one-sided as it was.
But the Bulldogs came out breathing fire in the second half, slamming on five quick goals after the break. The Bats had enjoyed plenty of opportunities, but were unable to convert. At the last change, despite both sides having had 17 scoring shots, the Bulldogs were 30 points ahead. And with six unanswered goals in the final quarter, the Bulldogs asserted their authority and ensured a comfortable win.
Leigh Lavery’s strong season up forward continued with a 5-goal haul for the Bulldogs. Oscar Sidlo-Jones was best on ground, while Xavier Brennan and Ben Woods were also strong performers. Alan Kymantas, Fearghal Purcell and Tom Steinfort picked up plenty of the ball for UTS; but the result means the Bats are still looking for their first win in Premier Division.
FOXTEL CUP
Port Adelaide Magpies 3.5 6.7 12.8 16.11 (107)
East Coast Eagles 0.1 1.2 2.2 2.3 (15)
Goals : Port Adelaide - Meiklejohn 4, Maric 3, Butcher 2, Surjan 2, Kulikowski, Gray, Harder, Hoskin, Kirkwood. East Coast – S O’Connor 2.
Best : Port Adelaide - Meiklejohn, Kirkwood, Maric, Surjan, Erskine, Banner. East Coast – S O’Connor, Jon Vlatko, T Baker.
At Sydney Cricket Ground, Saturday 14th May 2011.
Premier Division
Balmain 3.5 4.8 8.10 11.12 (78)
North Shore 4.1 5.2 6.4 7.7 (49)
Goals : Balmain – A Azhar 3, J Saddington 3, T Schmidt, J Farrell, M Edwins, A Clark, N Todd. North Shore – P Brackin 3, S Paynter, R Wason, T Strudwick, P Codling.
Best : Balmain – D Turner, T Stevens, M Edwins, A Clark, J Blums, B Taggart. North Shore – R Wason, R Lynch, A Harry, T Strudwick, C MacKinnon, D Ross.
At Gore Hill Oval Saturday 14th May 2011.
Sydney University 3.0 7.5 12.8 21.11 (137)
Campbelltown 2.1 3.5 5.8 7.10 (52)
Goals : Sydney Uni – C Moller 5, T Barrett 4, S Crichton 3, A Campbell 2, A Lee 2, M Carter 2, A Turco, J Caspersonn, J Martin. Campbelltown – N Hudson 2, K Clark 2, K Hanson 2, J Watts.
Best : Sydney Uni – A Lee, J Caspersonn, A Turco, J McCreary, C Moller, C Kendrick. Campbelltown – K Clark, B Martin, K Hanson, M Leach, M Linsen, M Morey.
At Blacktown Olympic Park, Saturday 14th May 2011.
Pennant Hills 1.2 3.5 7.9 12.13 (85)
Western Suburbs 3.2 3.3 5.4 8.6 (54)
Goals : Pennant Hills – J Lewis 2, N Campbell 2, D De Looze, B Unwin, M Thomas, K Wright, L Bilbe, A Goodall, D Dell’Aquila, D Jack. Wests – M Eurell 3, K Walford 2, D Watkins 2, S Pearson.
Best : Pennant Hills – K Wright, B Jack, J Mobbs, A Goodall, N Campbell, J Lewis. Wests – D Cusick, L Roehrig, B Lafferty, D Watkins, D Lambert, R Bamford.
At Mike Kenny Oval, Saturday 14th May 2011.
Illawarra 6.3 10.4 15.9 17.13 (115)
St George 1.1 2.4 3.4 4.7 (31)
Goals : Illawarra – R Price 6, K Ewen-Chappell 4, A Barned 4, M Toussis, B Patterson, J Lewis. St George – J Shineberg, C Ogle, N Ryan, B Sharp.
Best : Illawarra – L Wilson, A Barned, R Price, R Cutifani, K Ewen-Chappell, M Toussis. St George – B Jones, P McBride, D Perdrau, C Ogle, B McEvoy, M Holmes.
At North Dalton Oval, Saturday 14th May 2011.
UNSW-ES 4.2 6.5 11.6 17.9 (111)
UTS 4.5 5.8 6.11 6.17 (53)
Goals : UNSW-ES – L Lavery 5, B Elleman 3, A Gulden 2, B Woods 2, N Tsindos, R Troon, T Heath, B Haberley, A Rodrigues. UTS – A Davis 3, D Teasdale 2, F Purcell.
Best : UNSW-ES – O Sidlo-Jones, X Brennan, B Woods, N Tsindos, A Gulden, T Heath. UTS – A Kymantas, F Purcell, T Steinfort, C Tolj, M Trewhella, H Turner.
At Village Green, Saturday 14th May 2011.
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First Division
Manly-Warringah 18.5 (113) d Sydney Uni 3.5 (23)
Macquarie Uni 19.12 (126) d North Shore 5.2 (32)
Pennant Hills 9.12 (66) d Western Suburbs 2.8 (20)
Southern Power 16.10 (106) d Illawarra 7.8 (50)
UNSW-ES 11.8 (74) d UTS 10.11 (71)
Ladder (Match Ratio) – Manly-Warringah (100, 383.80%), Macquarie Uni (85.71, 303.42%), Southern Power (80, 155.74%), East Coast (60, 138.13%), Sydney Uni (60, 84.08%), Pennant Hills (50, 84.24%), UNSW-ES (33.33, 57.20%), UTS (25, 73.88%), Wests (20, 54.70%), North Shore (20, 50.43%), Illawarra (0, 40.16%).
Second Division
NorWest 9.9 (63) d Manly-Warringah 2.5 (17)
Penrith 12.14 (86) d Holroyd-Parramatta 5.4 (34)
Sydney Uni 9.15 (69) d Camden 4.4 (28)
Auburn 8.8 (56) d Balmain 7.10 (52)
Moorebank 18.12 (120) d St George 8.5 (53)
Ladder (Match Ratio) – Sydney Uni (100, 198.38%), Balmain (83.33, 184.48%), Penrith (60, 147.08%), St George (60, 91.91%), Auburn (60, 90.59%), Holroyd-Parramatta (50, 111.38%), NorWest (40, 92.29%), Manly-Warringah (33.33, 58.82%), Moorebank (16.67, 72.56%), Camden (0, 49.79%).
Third Division
Macquarie Uni 21.21 (147) d North Shore 2.6 (18)
UNSW-ES 12.13 (85) d Sydney Uni 9.9 (63)
Southern Power 9.9 (63) d Campbelltown 8.8 (56)
UTS 15.8 (98) d Western Suburbs 6.2 (38)
Saints AFC 16.7 (103) d East Coast 4.11 (35)
Ladder (Match Ratio) – UNSW-ES (100, 293.05%), Saints AFC (75, 253.94%), UTS (75, 128.16%), Southern Power (60, 103.32%), Sydney Uni (60, 102.52%), East Coast (40, 66.08%), Macquarie Uni (33.33, 154.58%), Wests (25, 56.42%), Campbelltown (20, 46.77%), North Shore (20, 37.11%).
Fourth Division
NorWest 7.8 (50) d Manly-Warringah 5.10 (40)
Penrith 8.9 (57) d Holroyd-Parramatta 5.4 (34)
Macquarie Uni 14.21 (105) d Auburn 5.10 (40)
UTS 15.12 (102) d UNSW-ES 3.5 (23)
Ladder (Match Ratio) – Macquarie Uni (100, 205.78%), Penrith (80, 186.57%), UTS (66.67, 129.41%), Moorebank (60, 128.33%), Holroyd-Parramatta (40, 96.14%), NorWest (33.33, 93.03%), UNSW-ES (33.33, 54.70%), Manly-Warringah (25, 71.43%), Auburn (0, 31.91%).
Fifth Division
Sydney Uni 12.13 (85) d Camden 7.7 (49)
Macquarie Uni 21.23 (149) d Holroyd-Parramatta 4.2 (26)
Saints AFC 21.24 (150) d Manly-Warringah 4.10 (34)
Southern Power 8.7 (55) d Moorebank 2.3 (15)
Ladder – Southern Power (24, 268.75%), Sydney Uni (16, 155.96%), Macquarie Uni (12, 190.24%), Saints AFC (12, 149.35%), Manly-Warringah (12, 86.13%), Moorebank (8, 78.53%), Camden (4, 56.81%), Holroyd-Parramatta (0, 30.65%).
Under 18s Premier
Sydney Uni 15.10 (100) d UNSW-ES 2.6 (18)
Penrith 8.8 (56) d St Ignatius Riverview 6.5 (41)
Pennant Hills 9.10 (64) d Western Suburbs 4.8 (32)
North Shore 7.8 (50) d St George 7.6 (48)
East Coast 15.14 (104) d Illawarra 12.4 (76)
Ladder (Match Ratio) – North Shore (100, 236.47%), East Coast (100, 197.69%), St Ignatius Riverview (80, 112.29%), Sydney Uni (66.67, 187.13%), Pennant Hills (40, 75.75%), Wests (40, 67.24%), Penrith (40, 55.30%), St George (20, 92.24%), Illawarra (16.67, 67.54%), UNSW-ES (16.67, 64.94%).
Under 18s Challenge
Campbelltown 11.10 (76) d Southern Power 6.7 (43)
Mac Uni Kookas d Balmain – forfeit
Holroyd-Parramatta 9.14 (68) d Manly-Warringah 5.4 (34)
Mac Uni Warriors 15.13 (103) d Moorebank 6.10 (46)
Ladder (Match Ratio) – Campbelltown (100, 391.79%), Mac Uni Warriors (80, 158.62%), Southern Power (66.67, 138.59%), Holroyd-Parramatta (60, 132.00%), Manly-Warringah (50, 115.36%), East Coast (40, 51.71%), Balmain (20, 76.71%), Mac Uni Kookas (20, 45.07%), Moorebank (16.67, 50.09%).
NEXT WEEK’S FIXTURES
Premier Division (Lurker’s Kiss of Death in bold):
Saturday 21st May
Monarch Oval – Campbelltown v Illawarra (2:10pm)
Village Green – UNSW-ES v Pennant Hills (2:10pm)
Waverley Oval – UTS v North Shore (2:10pm)
Picken Oval – Western Suburbs v East Coast (2:30pm)
Sydney Uni No 1 Oval – Sydney Uni v St George (4:10pm)
BYE – Balmain
First Division
Saturday 21st May
Village Green – UNSW-ES v Pennant Hills (12pm)
Waverley Oval – UTS v North Shore (12pm)
Picken Oval – Western Suburbs v East Coast (12:30pm)
St Pauls Oval – Sydney Uni v Southern Power (2:10pm)
Weldon Oval – Manly-Warringah v Illawarra (2:10pm)
BYE – Macquarie Uni
Second Division
Saturday 21st May
Weldon Oval – Manly-Warringah v Balmain (12pm)
Sydney Uni No 1 Oval – Sydney Uni v St George (2pm)
Greygums Oval – Penrith v Auburn (2:10pm)
Gipps Rd Oval – Holroyd-Parramatta v Camden (2:30pm)
Rosedale Oval – Moorebank v NorWest (2:40pm)
Third Division
Saturday 21st May
Picken Oval – Western Suburbs v East Coast (10:30am)
Gore Hill Oval – North Shore v UTS (12pm)
Monarch Oval – Campbelltown v Macquarie Uni (12pm)
St Pauls Oval – Sydney Uni v Southern Power (12pm)
Sunday 22nd May
Village Green – UNSW-ES v Saints AFC (2pm)
Fourth Division
Saturday 21st May
Gipps Rd Oval – Holroyd-Parramatta v UTS (10:30am)
Greygums Oval – Penrith v Auburn (12pm)
Rosedale Oval – Moorebank v NorWest (12:30pm)
Village Green – UNSW-ES v Manly-Warringah (12pm)
BYE – Macquarie Uni
Fifth Division
Saturday 21st May
St Pauls Oval – Sydney Uni v Southern Power (10am)
Rosedale Oval – Moorebank v Manly-Warringah (10:30am)
University Oval – Macquarie Uni v Saints AFC (12pm)
Gipps Rd Oval – Holroyd-Parramatta v Camden (12:30pm)
Under 18s Premier
Saturday 21st May
Picken Oval – Western Suburbs v East Coast (8:30am)
Gore Hill Oval – North Shore v St Ignatius Riverview (10am)
Greygums Oval – Penrith v Illawarra (10am)
Village Green – UNSW-ES v Pennant Hills (10am)
Sydney Uni No 1 Oval – Sydney Uni v St George (7pm)
Under 18s Challenge
Saturday 21st May
Gipps Rd Oval – Holroyd-Parramatta v Balmain (8:30am)
University Oval – Mac Uni Warriors v Southern Power (10am)
Weldon Oval – Manly-Warringah v Campbelltown (10am)
Sunday 22nd May
Bruce Purser Reserve – East Coast v Mac Uni Kookas (3pm)
BYE – Moorebank