ROUND 14 – Rain Struck Many Grounds Around Sydney
From the President
Unfortunately, rain struck many grounds around Sydney forcing closures and abandonment of games. Heartbreaking for our Division 2 women who were all booted up and ready to go at Old’s Park when the council closed the ground. They made the most of the get together having breakfast at a nearby café. The Premier Division Women and Men games were relocated to Mike Kenny Oval that morning. Thankyou to those who scrambled and aided ground setup so this could occur.
Throughout the previous week Division 5 men's played their round 1 wet weather catch up game. The report is also included.
AFL Sydney have released the finals schedule for season 2024. This is included at the back of this document. The following table identifies the teams from Pennant Hills that will be playing finals and likely ladder position at end of home and away.
Well done to those teams that will be playing finals. Players are working hard to be fit for finals and hold their spots. Coaches are heavily strategizing to ensure teams have the best chance of success. Those that will not be, thank you for your work this season and for the development we have seen. You are certainly better placed to see greater success next season. We want to see all players back. Enjoy the remaining season and, in good Demons tradition get to games to support our teams playing in finals. Your support is a great boost to the teams and helps to bring home premierships.
Men’s Premier Division Jackson Potter
Men’s Division One Mitchell Trenaman
Men’s Division Three Anthony Brawn
Men’s Division Five Trent Summers-Levin
Under 19 Teams Joel Cousens
Masters Michael Barbara
Women’s Teams Brighid Tielman
Pennant Hills Club Ian Parker
Hope to see you around the grounds.
Todd Williams
President
Match Reports:
Premier Division Men's Match Report with thanks to ARA Group
Premier Division Men Vs St George Dragons
(PH 18.10.118 Defeated SG 8.7.55)
R14 – And another home game after Olds Park was cancelled due to the amount of rain Friday and Saturday am. We were happy to host to get a game in.
We would welcome back in Ben Matthews, Joel Rush & a late in Cam Este. Outs were Luke Skrivanic (inj) Zac Elliot (Div 1) Cam Mitchell (illness).
We had won our last 2 games and came in with good form, we would start where we left off post bye vs Inner west and have one of our best quarters of the year, kicking the first 4 goals. We would unfortunately lose league stand out and NSW/ACT rep player Josh Boag early, but it gave an opportunity for Maine Vidler to get back inside which he looked like his old self, winning inside footy.
We would go on to kick 8 goals to 2 with Harrison Pitt the star kicking 5 goals. The next quarter we again dominated, Blow who would have to be the inform ruck of the competition, giving first use to Clark, Edmonds, Wray & Vidler. We would go into half time leading by 60 points.
The 3 quarter St George came out hot and lifted their pressure and intensity, it tightened up with both teams kicking 3 goals. Tom Larby was super all game, creating a content and using his leadership. The last quarter again both teams would kick 3 a piece, we would win by 10 goals in an important win for our final’s ambitions.
Our backline was super all day, particularly the 2nd half in limiting St Georges entries. Mikey Carroll was very good coming off his rep duty win vs Tasmania, having key intercepts all game. Connor Matthew was able to keep standout forward Tye Gander goalless, Tom Edmonds is having a great year, racking up touches at will, Dozer Clark, Nick Eynaud, Stephen Wray all good. Benny Matthews was a big presence on the wing with Theo Moraitis, Nick Hey both their usual selves.
Next up, the old rival East Coast Eagles.
Ben Roberts (Head Coach)
Best: Tom Larby, Michael Carroll, Thomas Edmonds, Ben Matthews, Brandon Clark, Maine Vidler
Goal Kickers: H. Pitt 5, N. Hey 3, R. Hawes 2, T. Moraitis 2, M. Blow 2, N. Eynaud 1, S. Wray 1, B. Matthews 1, W. Mudge 1.
Premier Division Women's Match Report with thanks to Ritera Electrical Wholesale
Premier Division Women's v St George Dragons
(PH 6.5.41 Defeated SG 1.1.7)
What a difference a week makes in football.
A tremendous effort from all. From the first bounce to the last second of the game.
We totally outplayed St George for 4 qtrs. and had total of 5 goal kickers - most for the year.
Having kicked our highest score for the year along with having the most shots on goal for the year (11). It was a great reward for the team.
Our fitness levels were showing good value today and where they didn't allow us to completely over run the opposition, we had to play right to the last second.
It was truly a great performance. More importantly our ball use was terrific under pressure. Well done team and watching you sing the song in the rooms was really pleasing.
What a great reward for you all.
Our stand outs were: -
Sheridan Baker (17y) - your intercepting of the ball coming in was exceptional. 2nd Nomination for Raising Star
Kaitlin Quinn - you have taken all before you and keep on playing at a level where it's proven "YOU ARE THE BEST BACK IN THE COMP "
Eliza Harvey - It's great to have you back - Cool, Calm and totally effective for 4 qtrs.
Tara Coopman (15y) - I can’t wait to see how you develop into an AFLW footballer. Your efforts, fitness and team care are second to none.
Lucy Boyd - Played most of the day in the ruck (first time) and was a tower of strength.
Haley Lowe - terrific leaders’ game - AGAIN
Kaitlin Noble - Played out of position again for team betterment and played injured - True courage from a leader of the team.
Natalie Pajor - was BOG until inj took its toll.
Amelia Bennett - Welcome back - Bang!
Emmerson Squires - Controlled that outside space and really wanted that ball.
Jesse Smith - worked tirelessly for 4qtrs.
Emma Waters - Best game for the year.
Charlotte Curren - Played down back - a different position and held her own
Laura Donohue - Total football class came off injured
Natasha Favotto - Ever reliable back and played to your strengths
Mia Hartley - Key piece to our game plan was injured very early in the game.
Rebecca Apap - Last minute fill in played a wonderful game on the wing.
Our youth U'17
Rebecca Fagg - Was an outstanding forward having 4 shots on goal.
Jessica Lauff - Was rotated heavily forward and held her own throughout the game
Cassidy McArthur - totally a class player - great skills and fitness
Remy Alley - Has been training with us from the early season and is showing plenty of promise
Terry Mudge (Head Coach)
Best: Sheridan Baker, Kaitlin Quinlan, Eliza Harvey, Tara Coopman, Lucy Boyd, Emma Waters
Goal Kickers: N. Pajor 1, C. McArthur 1, L. Donohoe 1, A. Bennett 1, K. Noble 1, R. Fagg 1.
Under 19.5 Division 1 Men's Match Report with thanks to Tyrepower Dural
Under 19.5’s Division 1 v St George Dragons
Washed Out
Division 1 Men's Match Report with thanks to Pennant Hills Toyota
Division 1 Men V St George Dragons
Washed Out
Division 2 Women’s Match Report
Women’s Division 2 v St George Dragons
Washed Out
Division 3 Men's Match Report with thanks to Eylex Pty Ltd
Men's Division 3 vs
Bye
Under 19.5’s Division 2 Match Report
Under 19.5's Division vs UTS Bats
(PH 10.13.73 Defeated UTS 8.2.50)
"This week the U19 Div 2 boys took on UTS at Bat & Ball Oval.
The boys were coming off a close loss to Sydney Uni the week prior and were very keen to bounce back. Also, with the Div 1 being called off earlier in the morning, it allowed a handful of those boys to get some extra run in the legs headed into next weekend.
We were definitely challenged early, UTS were up and about with a full bench and hungry to get their first win of the season. The first quarter was predominately played at the Bats end of the ground and just seemed a bit hungrier than we were. Despite that, we only conceded 2 goals in the first quarter, Sam Condon especially was really solid behind the footy.
The second quarter we very quickly turned the tide and did so quite convincingly kicking 4.6 to 1.1 in the second as we started to win the ball out of the middle and our forwards went to work with our keys being far to strong for the UTS defence.
The 3rd quarter was still for the most part dominated by Penno in terms of area of the ground, but our lack of defensive awareness and the bats straight kicking meant that it was an even quarter with Penno 3.3 to UTS 3 straight.
The final term was all about finishing off our good work and not allowing anything easy, it was again an arm wrestle with both teams managing to kick two goals but in the end it was our inaccuracy that stopped this from being a blowout. Outside of the first, we were relatively dominant.
Jake Condon was exceptional in the midfield and of half back, hard at the ball and provided clean ball use heading forward. The two headed Monster of Zander and Eamon was too tough for the Bats to go with as both boys kicked 3 goals (could have very easily ended up with more). Pat McMurrich, Cooper Daniel and Brad "The Bulldog Pearce" were also amongst the best players.
Joel Cousens (Assistant Coach)
Best: Jake Condon, Zander Crowden, Eamon Macauley, Patrick McMurrich, Cooper Daniel, Bradley Pearce
Goal Kickers: Z. Crowden 3, J. English 1, A. Bates 1, H. Kelly 1, R. Bonham 1.
Division 5 Men's Match Report with thanks to Conveyancing at Pittwater
Men’s Division 5 v Sydney University
(PH 8.18.66 Defeated SU 7.6.48)
Playing away against any team is always a terrific challenge, and they don’t come much bigger than Sydney Uni, a club with real strength and depth. Were the D5 men up to the challenge, or would they wilt under the pressure of this must-win encounter?
Despite losing the 1st quarter 20 -12, the signs were positive. Our forward entries were up and contested possessions in the attacking 50 were higher than any 1st quarter this season. Uni capitalised with some breakaway opportunities, but we were well in the hunt with exciting movement from Luke Richards, Jack Crampton and the forward line of Morgan Hide and Josh Mott.
At quarter time, we re-enforced the plan on how we were going to utilise the wings and deliver the ball into the forwards in designated areas. Ryan Kelleher, Luke bray and Adam Wagner really turned up the heat in Q2 with great 2-way running and exemplary movement into dangerous areas. This effort was assisted by season-best performances from Alex Rashleigh and Timmy Acheson down back who kept the students to just 2 behinds as we laid on another 2 goals 4 heading to the main break.
Accuracy in front of goal has been our achilles heel all season, but at half time Oskar Raue made a statement “don’t worry, I will get some big ones this half”. Some suggested he was referring to a family Zinger box or 85 nuggets from his favourite eatery, but I knew he meant goals and boy did he deliver.
To their credit, Sydney Uni stayed close to us (mainly due to our continued inaccuracy), but Sam Rice and the ever-improving Luke Garment began to muscle their way into the game in Q3. At the turn for home, we were ahead by 4 points (4.15 to 5.5), so what did the last quarter have in store?
Rotations were changed up and put simply, we outran our opponents with sheer determination and energy. We were gassed, but this kind of effort rarely goes unrewarded. Josh Mott claimed it was the post, but there is speculation a poor Uni defender hit the big J-Train and knocked himself out. Either way, he was gone, and Penno drilled home 4.3 in the final term to run out comfortable winners.
This was a true squad effort. Thanks to all the volunteers who travelled all the way to Sydney Uni to help, we need this as we look forward to a special occasion at home in the next round against North Shore.
I will see you in the next one.
Nigel Blow (Coach)
Best: Joshua Mott, Nathan Breen, Nicolas Denis, Jack Crampton, Luke Richards, Brayden Rohr
Goal Kickers: O. Raue 3, J. Mott 2, M. Morris 2, C. Toohey 1.
Round 1 wet weather Catch Up Matches
Division 5 Men's Match Report with thanks to Conveyancing at Pittwater
Men’s Division 5 v Newtown Breakaways – (PH 4.6.30 Loss to NT 7.8.50)
A windy but pleasantly sunny morning down at HJ Mahoney Park was primed for an all-important matchup against a surging Newtown side keen to make their run towards finals while a determined Pennant Hills lineup was ready to put a hard month of washouts and losses to bed and start our own roll of wins to finals following their tight loss to ladder leaders East Coast the previous week.
With the Coach away, the team were honoured with the return of their former coach and new Div 1 Coach, Warren ‘Mini Me’ Atwell destined to bring his winning ways to the Div 5 side.
Our opponents were sporting their wannabe Swans kit and keen to take full advantage of their wide oval with the wind at their backs, only to win the toss and elected to kick into the wind to the surprise of our captain, umpires and coaches alike. Nevertheless, we had a job to do, and it was time for the bounce!
Newtown came out firing, determined to show us they meant business and kicked an early goal into the gale force wind while we were adapting to the conditions. A huge return to form from our dangerous new midfielder and former Pennant Hills junior, Luke Richards who surged the ball forward and snagged a much-needed goal brought us back into the game and took an 7 – 8 scoreline into the quarter time break. It’s fair to say, the breeze did us no favours in the second quarter with our boys struggling to get the ball forward while Newtown surged and kicked 2.5 with the wind at their back. The half time siren couldn’t come early enough.
After some much needed soul searching at the main break, Penno was ready to fire. This was where our experienced big men in Nathan ‘Boxey’ Breen and last week’s milestone man, Josh Mott stood up to combine brilliantly with two huge goals from the 50 to our steamroller forward. Luke Richards continued to lift his midfield comrades Michael ‘Ducky’ Morris, Callum ‘Sidestep’ Toohey and Lukey ‘White Lightning’ Bray into the contest and launched the ball forward to continue a gallant fight back. Nico ‘the man’ Denis was determined to make his switch to the forward line count with a season high performance of heroic marks and speed into open space all over the field that resembled the involvement of Geelong great Jeremy Cameron. But it was Josh Mott who did the damage on the scoreboard and brought Penno back into the contest while our ever-solid defensive line lead by Alex ‘the Intercept King’ Rashleigh and Captain Arciuli kept Newtown away from their goals with some support from big Sammy Rice playing a great cut off roll in the midfield.
The final term would bring the hurricane wind back into Newtown’s favour, but after an early goal to Pennant Hills from Geordie Dooley put us within a goal of a fired-up Newtown outfit. Unfortunately, that would be all she wrote that day for Penno with the rub of the green moving into Newtown’s favour and quashing any momentum the lads were trying to build. Newtown ran out the game as 20-point victors and gave us a lot to think about with our season moving forward.
Today just wasn’t our day. We came up against a determined side who wanted it more than us. I believe we have the team and ability to go all the way this season, just need to win those 1%’s and bring back the hard aggressive footy that Pennant Hills is known for. The stage is now set for a must win final 5 rounds to make finals and from there its onwards and upwards for the mighty Demons.
Tim Keary (Manager)
Best: Michael Morris, Luke Richards, Alex Rashleigh, Samuel Rice, Nico Denis, Callum Toohey
Goal Kickers: Josh Mott 2, Luke Richards 1, Geordie Dooley 1.
What’s on This week
Demon’s Disco
The legendary Penno Disco is back on Saturday August 10th at the Bristol Arms Hotel. Beginning at 7:30pm in the newly renovated facilities. Just $20 a head for a great night.
AFL Sydney have posted the finals series dates and locations. Please see the below by Division.
