A fantastic effort by the endlessly energetic and enthusiastic Parker and Randall families drove the day and the results. In excess of $8,000 will be flowing to the institute, to help us understand and address this most common cause of death. Well done to all who purchased goods and participated so whole heartedly in the day. The Club should also recognise and record our thanks to the visiting teams from Auburn and University of NSW. Finally to all our sponsors, principally Commsec as jumper sponsor and the giver of gifts and assistance; thank you. A final special note to recognise Myles Duggan of LED Screens Australia who drove from Bathurst to provide the LED Screen used to effect during the day.
Turning to the results of the day it was four from five. The ladies kicked off at 10 in the morning. They fought hard but were beaten by a hard running Auburn GIANTS. The day was in part notable for the achieving the same score as the previous week (six points) however this time it was constructed by six behinds rather than one straight kick. As ever they displayed an ability celebrate a loss as raucously as a win and the spirit remained strong. They also stayed for the duration and delivered grace and support to later teams.
The second game was the Reserves who are fighting to secure a finals spot and a possible double chance. They faced University of New South Wales / Eastern Suburbs, who had only recorded one win for the season. We had 8 wins and were sitting fifth on the ladder. The team was brutally efficient, pouring on goals from the bounce and not taking their foot (or more correctly feet) off the accelerator. The win and percentage boost delivered has pushed them to fourth ahead of Blacktown on percentage. The hard running midfield delivered the ball forward and our much travelled Daniel (Spider) Pearson and the Maestro Matthew (Razzle) Rawle ‘did the business’ in the front half with 6 goals each. With a total of 12 goal scorers, it is fair to say it was a genuine team effort that delivered a clinical result. Well done to all and particularly Phil (Junior Burger) Prior who had to deal with the issues attendant on a celebrity playing in a local game (sorry Phil but someone had to mention the Advertisement).
Next up was the Senior team in their charity strip, led out by Levi (Chooka) Brain playing his 100th for the club. Levi is well known for bringing his own cheer squad to games and entertaining opponents with his quick wit. UNSW were sitting sixth and were desperate to push to the hard fought 5th spot on the ladder. However that ambition could not be realised on the day and the Seniors did what they do best. The Giants won the hard inside ball and were impenetrable in defence. UNSW had elected to start with an 8 man defence, which ensured Brayden and Hayden (the rhyming forwards) had plenty of company. That concept could not succeed as it left too many other avenues to goal open. The Seniors produced 10 goal scorers with Tyrone Armitage again showing his evasion and clean ball handling with four goals to head the list. The usual break or break through attitude of Jack Hawkins was evident in a huge physical clash as he and a UNSW player both only had eyes for the ball. Both players showed great commitment and fortitude and had the opportunity to discuss the game as doctors got the needle and thread out at Manly Hospital. A very solid win by a good team. The elevated players are working hard for inclusion for September and Paul Fabbro in his first Senior game was very strong.
A short break and a rapid disrobing allowed the spectators to bid for the soiled and sweaty charity strip. Bidding was intense and several thousand was raised as Hugh Zochling waived the auctioneers hammer like a sword compelling higher bids. Dale Holmes (former CEO NSW AFL and GWS) kindly forced up the bids on several jumpers but did not acquire one himself (that is management skill). Many comic moments occurred and at one stage it appears that Brayden and his Goddess Girlfriend were bidding against each other for his jumper. Following the usual process of such things … the Goddess got the jumper.
The under 19s also faced UNSW and the game kicked off while the final jumpers future ownership of the charity jumpers were still being disputed. UNSW were sitting second on the ladder with 8 wins and the GIANTS were 4th with five wins. Those positions were maintained at the end of the game, but the local boys showed their ability with a very sound win by 61 points. The 19s have been playing fantastic flowing football and this game showed that again. The team was bolstered by the return of Jackson and Tommy, but they fitted in smoothly and again a cohesive group proved impossible to overcome. The Manly talls of Behagg and Wearne were clear winners and the defence was exceptional. These are a polished unit and if they can maintain that level of commitment to team play they can expect to play in September. The team now sits two games clear of Pennant Hills in fifth. If the 19s are the future of the Club … the future looks bright for many years to come.
The final game was our beloved Div 4 and the supporters stayed to watch. UNSW sat one ladder spot above the GIANTS in 6th, but they were 3 wins ahead. They are now only two wins ahead and we have the edge in percentage over them. The Div 4 boys have been wonderfully inconsistent in season 2014, in no small part due to the changes in the playing roster week on week. Whatever they have done in the past, it all clicked on Saturday under lights. The ball use was better, the talk was loud and positive and results followed. Gus Reid was unstoppable up front kicking a lazy 7 goal bag and the coach slipped into the role of loose man in defence, wearing out his boots as the UNSW players delivered him ball after ball. It was a great game to watch and the players were fearless and combined to show the spirit that could win many more games this season. Playing later in the season will depend on maintaining this level of belief and commitment. It would also help if the players can return to grades above and add some flexibility and polish (not that this was obviously lacking on the weekend).
In summary, a great weekends footy in support of a very good cause. Special thanks to resident medico ‘Dr Tom’ for his consults and sewing as required (and of course his play in Div 2).
Last Modified on 18/07/2014 07:40