The below article is a presentation of Lancelot Yu and constitutes his own opinion and may not reflect SWAFL Official Opinion.
Bright blue skies shone fiercely over North Dalton Park, Fairy Meadow to create humid conditions out on the beautiful ground. To kick off the four matches, the Match of the Round was between Balmain and Newtown at 10am. The question of whether Balmain was pumped up for this game or could Newtown continue their impressive form. The Balmain Dockers had a point to prove and did so dominating the first quarter using the wind blowing from the North to kick a couple of goals in the first quarter. Any hopes of the Breakaways using the wind were nullified as the Dockers had an excellent ground game to pretty much preserve their lead. From there the Dockers were never headed as they recorded their biggest win over Newtown - Balmain 12.9.81 to Newtown 4.4.28. A couple of mentions go to Kath Kobzan, Jackie Buckthought, Natasha Devlin and Jemma Still who were very good around the ground.
The 12pm match was between UNSW-Easts Stingrays and Macquarie University. The Mac Uni Bravehearts were keen to record their first win of the season whilst the Stingrays were determined to rediscover their good form. Despite some inaccurate kicking, the Stingrays recorded their second win of the year whilst the Bravehearts tried really hard with immense enthusiasm. End score was UNSW-Easts Stingrays 9.13.67 Mac Uni Bravehearts 0.3.3
The 2pm match was between Western Wolves revitalised after their bye playing the Bondi Shamrocks keen to send out club president and captain for the day Lisa Roper with a win in her 150th match. Thanks to the Wolves and the Shamrocks who created a tunnel for a long-serving player of the game. The weather changed from sunny to heavy rain which brought the skill level down a notch and probably nullified the Wolves superior skill advantage. Those who played well was Kate Lawson, Tricia Muller and Cassi Bell for the Wolves while for the Shamrocks was Olivia Warren, Laura Flanagan and Charlie Schmidt did very well. End score was a win to the Wolves winning Western Wolves 62 (i think 9.8) . Bondi Shamrocks 0.0.0
The 4pm match was the local derby between Southern Power and Wollongong Saints. Southern Power were feeling confident after a big win at home the previous week whilst the Saints were determined to win their first home game. The Saints promoted a lot of their Youth Girls for this match and the match despite the low scoreline showed immense skill from both sides. Whilst the possession was about 50% each, the Southern Power were able to finish off their chances to score where as the Saints were unable to get past their half-forward line. The game finished in near darkness with the Power running out the match to win their second game of the season Southern Power 5.3.33 Wollongong Saints 2.0.12. Those who played particularly well for the Power was Christine Coles, Jessica Purcell, Louise Glasgow. Saints - Sinead Bailey, Loranna Child and Madolyn Ryan.
Round 4 Preview
Friday Night Lights is back! Back to our ghostly misty nights at Mahoney as the Western Wolves take on the Mac Uni Bravehearts at 7:10pm. The Rookie club the Bravehearts have plenty of enthusiasm but the spirit hasn't been reflecting on the scoreboard, whilst the Wolves showed against the Shamrocks they can grind out a game. As the Black Eyed Peas would sing "That tonight's going to be a good night" but which club will be singing at the end of the game is the question? Both clubs have yet to play officially in the head to head record.
The Stingrays get reacquainted with the Illawarra region once again as this time they play the Wollongong Saints at University of Wollongong No. 3 Oval at 10am. The Saints on familiar ground (their training ground) will be keen to host the Stingrays who have shown plenty of exciting football in the season so far. The Saints will be very keen to improve on their very good performance last week whilst the Stingrays look to aim for their 3rd win which would be their best record since the 2006 season. Both clubs have yet to play officially in the head to head record.
At Mahoney Park, in the early game at 10am the Dockers host the Shamrocks. The Dockers showed against the Newtown Breakaways that they are a force to be reckoned with beating the Breakaways by 53 points. In contrast the Shamrocks are ramping up their season's performance with their relatively inexperienced side. The Shamrocks will be keen to welcome back co-captain Cara Connaire trapped in Volcano-bound Europe and the rest of their golden package. The head to head record is played 3 games with Balmain 2 wins, Bondi 1 win.
In the match of the round, the Newtown Breakaways take on undefeated Sydney University at Mahoney at 12pm who had the week off. For the Breakaways its back to the drawing board after a big defeat against the Dockers. This match is the biggest test so far of the Bombers to benchmark themselves against one of the top tier clubs. We expect the big guns of Sydney Uni to be slotted into the side and the battle will be fought in the midfield with quality center combinations in both teams. Will Nat Redford dominate the hitouts, will Natasha Devlin have 30 possessions, how many touches will Una McKay get, how many goals will Marie Keating score? Questions, questions, questions, that can only be answered by 2pm. May the best team win! The head to head record is played 23 games with Newtown 19 wins, Sydney Uni 4 wins.
The above article has been a presentation of Lancelot Yu and constitutes his own opinion and may not reflect SWAFL Official Opinion.
Last Modified on 27/04/2010 21:06