First Grade V Pennant Hills Demons
The long awaited season for the first grade side finally arrived on Saturday when they headed to Blacktown to take on a strong Pennant Hills Demons outfit. After an impressive pre-season that saw them trial well in three matches, expectations were high, fuelled by a great start to the season by the third grade team that scored a thrilling one point win the previous day. Selections were tough for the coaching panel with many in contention, something that is likely to be a standard procedure during the year. The Demons are arguably the strongest club in Sydney AFL, producing more AFL players than any other, so the task at hand was always going to be a tough assignment
The 10:30 AM start hot, humid and shelterless ground saw some slick passages of play in the first term, with Pennant Hills have the better of the quarter with some poor disposals costing the Rams and by their own admission, weren’t living up to their capabilities. But there was no need to panic as the Demons had just a seven point lead after scoring after the siren.
The second quarter so a much more mobile Penrith team get into the groove with good switch in plays giving them momentum and a 4.1 result saw them hit the front, but was pegged back by another major on the siren by Pennant Hills. However, the side looked strong a held a four point buffer as the teams went to the sheds.
The previous day, the third grade team took a hold of the match in the premiership quarter, however it was the Demons that ran amok booting 6.2 to the Rams innacurate 1.3 to take a stranglehold on the game with a big 25 point lead with the final 22 minutes to be played.
The loss of Jimmy Denton with a knee injury was having an effect on the structure, as he had been outstanding along with the other backmen. Penrith really got back into the mould and dominated the final term keeping a nervous opponent to just a single point, whilst the visitors threw everything into the game with a 3.6 quarter, but unfortunately were beaten by the clock in going down by two points.
Despite it being an “if only” scenario, coach Denton was proud of the teams fighting effort and certainly not disappointed despite the loss. Jay Edwards was magnificent in the backline and received the Demons vote earning him a well received six pack of Coopers, donated by the home club. Always cool, calm and collected, Jay has been a model of consistency throughout his football career and an inspiration to his team-mates. Michael Denton again had an outstanding match with his tough defensive work, giving his opponents no room to move whilst newly engaged midfielder, Josh Shephard as always was all around the ground. Josh Anasis relished his return to first grade football with a great display up front booting two and worked hard along with Luke Jones and James Devlin who both impressed.
Along with Anasis’ double, Ben McGovern chimed in with two whilst Josh Shephard, Jake Pianta, Nathan Wright and James Devlin scored six pointers whilst Michael Brown, another first grade debutant, worked hard all day and was rewarded with a major, to set out after his wife, Ramettes captain Jennifer’s goalscoring record.
Although not getting the points on the day, it was an inspiring game for the team who are still learning a new style of football and will be looking to turn the tables against relegated Premier Division team from 2013, Balmain Dockers in their opening home game at Greygums next Saturday
Goal Kickers: B. McGovern 2, J. Anasis 2, J. Shephard , M. Brown , J. Pianta , J. Devlin , N. Wright Best Players: J. Edwards, M. Denton, J. Shephard, J. Anasis, L. Jones, J. Devlin
Reserve Grade V Pennant Hills Demons
After a disappointing year in 2013, 2012 Div 4 premiers, Penrith were to face up to last year’s Div 4 premiers, Pennant Hills in the game following first grade at Blacktown on Saturday.
Under new coach John Rix and assisted by thirds coach, Kev Kirk, fresh of his debut coaching win the previous day, a strong squad was named for the opening round, again a good mixture of experience and youth.
The Rams dominated the early play, churning out three quick goals, but Pennant Hills fought back strongly with two goals as the visitors strode to a 13 point lead at the first change. As in the previous game, it appeared the railway end was the scoring end with the demons taking it up to the Rams in the early part of the second term, at one stage levelling the score, but slick work on the flanks saw the side put on three unanswered goals to lead by 18 at the long break.
The hot, humid conditions were to take a toll on all players, with constant rotations being made. The Demons were to add two goals to their tally, but the Rams responded with 4.3 of their own to take a commanding 33 point lead as they went into the final 22 minutes of the day. A frustrated Demons side showing signs of aggression didn’t take Penrith away from their game plan with a six goal display managing to double the oppositions score with an impressive start to the season.
The “Coopers Six Pack” donated by the Demons was awarded to backman, Tom Noble, originally in the 25 man first grade squad and his performance will see him knocking at the door of selection in the top grade in the coming weeks. Ben Robinson proved a goal freak one again with seven majors whilst Jake Shelley, another one looking good for first grade selection shortly, split the big sticks on five occasions. Mitch Stevens is turning into a great acquisition for the club with an outstanding reading of a game and will keep getting better whilst Dan Smyth excelled in the centre and one of the hardest training Under 19’s player, Manny Papageorgiou will go into next week’s opening 19’s round full of confidence after a magnificent seniors debut. In all, it was a real team effort with every one of the 22 giving it their all. After a three year layoff, special mention goes to former representative junior, the very tanned and talented Ben Mayer, who filled in as a last minute replacement. Coming off the bench, Ben made an immediate impact in the game with strong breaks and pinpoint accurate disposals. Chris Nolan, rewarded with captaincy after a dedicated pre-season interrupted by injury in the last few weeks, fought off his injury with a very tough display whilst Ed Kirby, Marty Pope and Mitch Renehan all gave indications that a first grade berth is well within sights.
Next week, Reserves take on Balmain at home with both first round winners looking to keep their win column intact.
Goal Kickers: B. Robinson 7, J. Shelley 5, M. Stevens 2, B. Mayer , I. Papageorgiou , D. Smyth , L. Murphy , J. Sultana
Best Players: T. Noble, B. Robinson, J. Shelley, M. Stevens, D. Smyth, I. Papageorgiou
Last Modified on 12/09/2014 21:22