Rain played havoc with SWAFL over the two weekends with every match being relocated or shifted to a different time slot to ensure that all games could be completed. Major thanks to our hard working Footy Operations Manager Richard Anderson who also masquerades as the Wests co-coach as well.
In game 1, Women's Football ventured out into Team GWS land to play at Blacktown Olympic 2 Oval at the brisk and refreshing time of 9am. Blacktown is a marvellous site with great infrastructure and it should be no surprise if a women's team will be formed out in the Blacktown-Penrith corridor in the next ten years. Newtown triumphed over the Western Wolves in varying weather conditions by about 6 goals there, for the Wolves Melissa Bibby stood out with Michaela Eckman and Kate Lawson also having a good game. The end score was Newtown Breakaways 11.12.78 to Western Wolves 3.5.23
In game 2, UNSW-Easts Stingrays played at Saturday Night at the Power day at Henson Oval at Marrickville. Not daunted by the wide open spaces of the former brickpit, the Stingrays were able to exert themselves over an enthusiastic Power side. The end score was UNSW-Easts Stingrays 8.8.56 to Southern Power 2.5.17
In game 3, Sydney University played Wollongong Saints at the postponed match at Figtree Oval, Wollongong. The smaller spaces did not seem to hamper the Bombers who won triumphed over a brave Wollongong Saints side. Some highlights for the Saints was having the full bench of 24 and having to turn away two extra players. For the Bombers, Marie Keating stood out and supported by Jennifer Lew and Emma Yuen. Last time the margin was 211 points so it was a 60 point turnaround by the Saints from the early start of the season. End score Sydney University Bombers 23.19.157 to Wollongong Saints 0.1.1
In game 4, Macquarie University hosted the Bondi Shamrocks in a relocated match from University Oval. With both teams struggling for numbers, it was to be the Shamrocks who were able to make it to the winners circle. Thanks to Mac Uni for letting Bree turn up. Both teams should be commended for rallying the troops to play some footy. The end score was Bondi Shamrocks 9.14.68 to Macquarie University 0.0.0.
In game 5A, the Balmain Dockers flew 4000km to Perth to play the Undefeated Swans Districts of the WAWFL (West Australian Womens Football League) side. So there was much bragging rights between the East Coast and the West Coast at stake! However it was to be the locals in front of a passionate "Purple Haze" crowd who triumphed in a narrow win.
On Saturday night, 5 players from the Talented Player Program (Shellee Gibson, Kath Kobzan, Mel Khoury, Marie Keating, Sandra Ryan and Mel Khoury plus the Wollongong Saints team attended the Michelle Mulholland Trivia Quiz down in Wollongong. Michelle Mulholland is one of the founders of Youth Girls Football and had many roles of the Northern Tigers JAFC, thus it was a cross-section of Illawarra Football there on the evening. Over $5000 was raised on a fabulous evening. Well done to all involved.
The table remains the same.
The table sees Balmain are the
2010 Minor Premiers.
In second place, Newtown leads by a tight 4 points
but with the Breakaways having a bye in rd 17, they know the Bombers
could potentially be equal to them by the end of round 17. They have an 167% buffer which is maybe sufficient to lock into second place.
In third place, Sydney University are hot on the
Breakaway heels. Another performance like this weekend will stand them
up in good stead to put pressure on the Breakaways. They have a slight chance
of grabbing the double chance.
Teams 1,2,3 are locked in for finals participation but positioning of teams 2 and 3 might swap places.
In fourth place, the Western
Wolves have almost consolidated their finals place. Next week is vital in determining the future.
In fifth place are the Stingrays still dreaming of
finals action. They will have to definitely step up but either way it's
been one of their best season results in a couple of years.
Equal on points are the Shamrocks but cannot
qualify for the finals as they have a bye in Round 18. They'll be aiming
to finish 5th, they are 15.3% behind the Stingrays so they will need to have their kicking shoes on. Their inaccuracy (more behinds than goals scored) has been the difference in not having a higher % in the last three games.
In seventh place are the Power doing well in their
inaugural year of the teal. They'll be aiming to finish the season on a
high with another couple of wins.
In eighth place are the Wollongong Saints who are starting to integrate all the older Youth Girl players who will be too old for next year's Youth Girls competition. The participation pathway is working wonders and we expect to see a tougher and highly skilled unit in 2011.
In ninth place is the Macquarie University
Bravehearts who despite not winning a game are mainly having fun and
look to build for the upcoming season in 2011.
Round 17 Preview
Friday Night sees Sydney University taking on Macquarie University at Mahoney at 7:10pm. One team is finals bound and the other is looking for 2011 so let's hope it's a competitive affair. The Bombers will be looking to ensure that all their 30+ players are eligible for finals selection. With Newtown having a break, this is the weekend if Sydney University is going to leap over Newtown on the ladder.
Saturday sees at 10am, the road trip for the Shamrocks as they make their way to Wollongong to play the Saints. The Shamrocks will be very keen to finish their season on a high (they have Round 18 off) so there is much anticipation amongst the group. For the Saints, this is their last home game in their inaugural season, they will be keen to knock off more SWAFL Sides in 2010.
At Mahoney, at 11am Southern Power host the Balmain Dockers. With both teams having the weekend off due to the Split Round, it was time to heal the wounds and niggling injuries. Can the Power stop the Pride Plane with less than 8 goals for the match. If full back Louise Glasgow gets the role, Bee will have to work hard to get the goals. It'll be a battle royale and if I wasn't on managerial/ goal umpire duties I'll be there to watch it.
At 1pm, it's the showdown of Easts vs West. The Stingrays have a small glimmer of hope of finals participation or it could be snuffed out on Showdown Saturday. Win and they have another week of dreaming - lose and they can start planning Mad Sunday. For the Western Wolves, a win will guarantee them 4th place and they can start to focus on finals action. It's safe to say that the Wolves will need a Shannon Noll type of "Lift" if they are to avoid finishing the lowest position in their very proud club history. (lowest was 3rd in 2007).
Pictured are the NSW TPP Players + NSW Youth Girl Players at Illawarra Master Builders Club for the Michelle Mulholland Trivia Quiz held in Wollongong.
Last Modified on 08/08/2010 20:39