Usual disclaimer about the author's personal opinions which may not reflect SWAFL official opinion.
Round 5 Results
UNSW Easts continued their massive improvement from last season at Friday Night Football to defeat the Shamrocks. This represents their fourth win for the season and deservedly win the "Most Improved team" award if there was such a thing to be awarded . Details from the game was that the Stingrays dictated the game from the opening bounce to dominate the first half and it took a blistering speech at halftime by the Shamrocks coach to get the Shamrocks back into the game. The Shamrocks won the last quarter with their momentum but had run out of time. The end score was UNSW-ES Stingrays 10.7.67 to Bondi Shamrocks 6.4.40. Those who did well from Easts were Courtney Gum with 5 goals, Stephanie Culvier and Rhiannon Bartley. For the Shamrocks they were Adeline Lim, Clare Conlon and Carol Breen.
Saturday morning saw the eagerly anticipated clash between Balmain Dockers and Sydney University. Balmain also jumped out of the blocks early and it took until the third quarter for the Uni Bombers to get into the game. However any chance of a Uni revival in the final quarter was snuffed out by some late goals by the Dockers. After this win, the Dockers having played most of the top-tiered teams and remaining undefeated could rightly be called the new preseason favourites for the premiership. The game was marred by some head concussions by both sides requiring the ambulance, major thanks to Paramedic Clare Beech. Those who did well for the Dockers were Belinda Pride with 8 goals, Karla Spilarewicz, whilst for the Bombers it was Annalise Constable and Alex Roberts. The end score was Balmain Dockers 11.10.76 to Sydney University 5.1.31.
In the game between Newtown and Wollongong, a understrength 15 player Wollongong played a 18 sided strength Newtown and thus the game was over by the first quarter with a ten goal scoreline. The Saints in their purple strip for the day tried bravely but were overwhelmed by the skill showed by the Breakaways. with the Breakaways setting a new league record of 40.20.260 exceeding their old record of 248 against Camden in 2004. The end score was Newtown Breakaways 40.20.260 to Wollongong Saints 0.0.0.
In the last match of the day, Southern Power hosted the Western Wolves. The Power were persistent and brave to tie up the 3rd quarter but were outmatched in the rest of the game with the Wolves recording a 64 point win. The end score was Western Wolves 11.11.77 to Southern Power 2.1.13.
The ladder
On 16 points are Balmain Dockers, UNSW-Easts Stingrays and Newtown Breakaways. On 12 points are the Western Wolves to round out the four. On 8 points are Sydney Uni and Southern Power. On 4 points is the Bondi Shamrocks and yet to open their account is
Round 6 Preview
To kick off Pink Sock day, all games will be at Mahoney, with some presentations by assorted VIP's during the day.
The first match will be the grudge match between Sydney University hosting the Bondi Shamrocks at 9am. This match could be best described as your family-friendly civil war with some players and officials having played or associated with both clubs. Any friendships will be temporarily put on hold for two hours as both clubs try to find lost form. For the Shamrocks, how long it takes for the club to put potential into action remains the question. For the Uni Bombers, they are more than competitive. The head to head is two games played with one win apiece for the respective clubs.
The 11am match is Macquarie University hosting Wollongong Saints. This is a critical must win game for both sides as they are both are at the same level in terms of skill development, so both sides will feel confident of winning this match. Which side of rookies will take the 4 points will be intriguing. Enthusiasm aplenty abounds in this match. With both clubs new, this is the first head to head match.
The 1pm match is the match of the Round with undefeated league leaders Balmain Dockers hosting the hard chasing Western Wolves. The Wolves will be going into the game confident based on their form but know they will have to perform at a 100% potential to play against the well-disciplined Dockers. The Dockers know a victory here will set up a good run of momentum going into the second third of the season. The head to head record is played 25 games, Wests 18 wins Balmain 7 wins.
The 3pm match is the game between Newtown Breakaways hosting Southern Power. The Breakaways are showing their form from their premiership season last year and have truly got any rustiness out of the system under Coach Darren Lewtas. They take on the ever improving Power side. As the Power are a new side there has not been any recorded clashes in the head to head.
Golden Boot News
Unfortunately the system is not showing the Golden Boot platform, thus the Football Operations Manager will be doing it manually using the team sheets physically handed in at the end of each match which will be collected at each SWAFL Meeting. However I suspect Marie Keating (Sydney University) might remain in the lead, however Roxy McGee (Newtown Breakaways) kicked 16 goals over the weekend to give her a run for the prize.
Youth Girls News
We would like to celebrate the following people who have been named in the NSW Under 15 or Under 18 Youth Girls Team to take on ACT in the Interstate Challenge on Saturday July 3.
Coaches: Lisa Roper (Bondi Shamrocks) - Under 18 Seniors. Lancelot Yu (Bondi Shamrocks) - Under 15 Juniors.
Players: Jessica Purcell (Southern Power / Figtree Kangaroos), Rhiannon Bartley (UNSW Stingrays / YG team tba), Maddison Giffin (Wollongong Saints / Figtree Kangaroos), Loranna Child (Wollongong Saints / Albion Park Crows).
Last Modified on 11/05/2010 15:56