
ROUND 17 - The final home and away games are upon us this weekend
From the President
The final home and away games are upon us this weekend. It is funny how the bounce of the ball to commence round 1 seems to take an eternity to arrive, before you know it we are at the final rounds.
I want to thank all teams, coaches, managers, players, club umpires, volunteer support, physios, strength and conditioning providers, welfare support and the committee for all your efforts this season. I know I am very proud of how we turn out our grounds and host visitors, the services we provide and the standard of our game days. I thank those who travel to support teams on away rounds. Without you we could not do what we do and be as successful as we are. I also want to thank Sue Blow and Carol Hare for taking up hosting club Thursday meals again. We greatly missed you and hank you for lifting the standard of these nights. Phil Hare thank you for coordinating and hosting these nights as well as club events. Our volunteers provide the services and help build and maintain our envious culture. We can certainly do with more hands and ask if you can give us any time please reach out.
The build of underneath the clubrooms continues. The progress of the Greenway Park building project is listed on the Council's website. This is updated monthly with he works completed that month.
The focus of the current work is on the undercroft building and the power and water upgrades to the site.
Works will then move towards the conversion of the existing changerooms to public toilets and the external concrete / landscaping works.
I wish our finals bound teams all the best of luck. They would love the maximum support we can provide.
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 Manly Warringah
(PH 6.15.51 Drew with MW 8.3.51)
R17 we went up against the inform Manly Warringah Wolves who beat us by 4 goals in a slog at Weldon earlier in the year, they would come into the contest at 14-2. This time we would be on the wide expansions of Mike Kenny. We would rest a few sore bodies after locking in a double chance the week earlier vs Sydney Uni, knowing we would play Manly in a qualifying final in a few weeks’ time. It gave some guys in 19s/Div 1 a chance to reward their form & effort. We started well but struggled to kick straight in windy conditions which unfortunately would be our downfall as the match went on. Our midfield was on top for most of the day, we tried some different match ups early but reported back to structures after the 1st quarter. Joint Captains Mitch Blow & Luke Skrivanic were fantastic all day and Lukas De Vries in from Div 1 smashing into every contest. We were up by 4 goals at one stage and would end up coming a draw kicking 6.15 to 8.3. We learnt some valuable lessons for when we play again in a few weeks. Mikey Carroll continued his fine year as the most influential defender in the competition, Ethan Hyams played his best game for t club, with his dash and use of the footy, Cooper Lee was brilliant on the wing, our forwards worked hard but need some practice at the goals this week, onwards and upwards.
Ben Roberts (Coach)
Best: Lukas de Vries, Cooper Lee, Ethan Hyams, Luke Skrivanic, Mitchell Blow, Michael Carroll
Goal Kickers: H. Pitt 2, N. Hey 2, J. Boag 1, T. Moraitis 1.
Premier Division Women's Match Report with thanks to Ritera Electrical Wholesale
Premier Division Women's v Manly Warringah
(PH 0.1.1 Loss to MW 17.11.113)
Another week where we had 11 players out. We welcomed back Amy Court and Brighid Tielman.
We had 4 players play their first senior game for the club. Congratulations Georgia Wood, Steph Martin, Emma Dunn & Makayla Nassar.
With so many playing changes our first half of football wasn't so great. After some robust discussion at the main break the team really start to gel in the second half. We were far better defensively, and we start to rebound the ball fwd on numerous occasions. After conceding 17 shots on goal in the first half the 2nd half we kept them to 6 shots on goal in the second half and more importantly had a shot on goal ourselves.
A massive shout out to 2 of our youngest players Sheridan Baker (17) & Tara Coopman (15) who played terrific games (again) against a finals bound team who didn't have any season permit players on their list. Also, Jesse Smith who played a tagging role on the best player in the competition it was wonderful to watch. Well done.
Special mentions
Amy Court - Haley Lowe - Elly Rudd
Note: Emmerson Squires (16) was ruled out of this week’s team on the morning of the game because she plays in another competition up the coast and was playing in finals on the Sunday.
Thank you - Emmerson Squires for your commitment and care to the team over the year. It is greatly appreciated by all.
Terry Mudge (Head Coach)
Best: Sheridan Baker, Tara Coopman, Sally Faehrmann, Jesse Smith, Lucy Boyd, Jasmine Blow.
Goal Kickers:
Under 19.5 Division 1 Men's Match Report with thanks to Tyrepower Dural
Under 19.5’s Division 1 v Manly Warringah
(PH 7.8.50 Loss to MW 9.4.58)
“Missed Opportunities”
As they say a week in footy can be a long time. After a massive win last week we were to face different conditions with a windy day today, and new faces welcomed back to the team in Cal Irish, Henry Williams, Lachy Pauly, and Jack K. The wind was blowing to the southern end but unfortunately today was not our day.
Q1 we let them run free too much. Early in the game we were caught going forward and in transition we were off guard and they got goal side of us far too easily. Nathan, Cooper S and Henry were strong early in defence. But we had too much pressure on our defenders. They had running players and spread the ball wide to clear stoppages. We had many free kicks go against us and we were on the back foot not playing a tight defensive game when we were against the wind. They got their hands on the ball before us too many times and we were slow and not working hard enough. It stood out we did not adjust quick enough.
We were down 2.1.13 to 4.1.25 at the first break.
Q2 After some strong words at qtr time we had the opportunity with the wind. We needed 5-6 goals but again struggled to control the ball with many unforced errors and poor kicking turning over the ball frequently. We were going straight down the middle and playing predictable footy rather than using our outside runners and lowering our eyes like we did the week before. We ignored the free man, kicked to the corridor too much or executed our disposal poorly. So many costly turnovers.
3.422 to 5.3.33. 11 point deficit at ½ time.
Q3 we had to calmly re set and work out what we needed to fix. Even though we had played poorly we were only down by 11 points so we were still well in this. To our credit in the 3rd we were better. Zander took some marks up forward and converted. Pat took a few solid marks and Luna hit a great tackle for holding the ball and kicked a goal. But we were arguing with umpires against decisions and at one point had a 12 point turnaround caused by our lack of focus and discipline – first by running through the mark, and second by arguing with umpires costing another goal. We were in front then lost it and our momentum at this point. We were still struggling to keep possession. And we misread the talent of a couple of their players, their strong ruckman for one and a couple of their running players - we chose to start forward of the contest rather than cover both ways at stoppages, and they jumped us.
Q4 As frustrating as this was we were still not out of it. We needed to own centre clearances and keep giving our forwards opportunities in the last qtr. To our credit we did this and we had 80% of the ball in our forward half. But we couldn’t convert. Many missed opportunities. Cal was solid in the last quarter with great pressure creating an opportunity for Cooper D which led to a goal for Ryan B. Jack K, Henry, Luna, Cooper S were solid in defence and they had trouble getting forward opportunities. But we were not as skilful as them today when it mattered – in front of goal and in disposal to our teammates. Too many turnovers and skill errors cost us dearly.
It was a tuff one to watch and coach. Instead of taking our chances and hitting the scoreboard, we now have to work hard to retain third spot next week. A loss will see us likely drop to 4th and lose the 2nd chance in finals.
What do we learn:
1) More discipline and less backchat. Even if we don’t agree with decisions, stop arguing and throwing your hands in the air. Not only does it look bad for our brand but it means your focus and attention has dropped and your eye is off the ball. The opposition will take advantage and they did when it mattered.
2) Kicking efficiency. So poor today compared to last week. Unforced turnovers were crazy high. We took unnecessary risks – kicked the ball to a 50/50 when a free option may have been on, or just miss kicked. We need to work on our touch. Are we at training enough practicing this?
3) Stop kicking the ball predictably to the contest in the corridor and start using our outside runners more often. We have seen this work when we have dominated other games.
4) More respect for the opposition. Read their positioning at stoppages and be well balanced at every stoppage – be ready and prepared to do two way running. More leadership / comms and looking around us to cover their outside running play.
We simply must be better than this in big games. Smarter with our decision making. Smarter at reading the play and adjusting to the conditions. Work on the track will correct this and we have to want this more and be prepared to do the work required to pivot and adjust to get better. No time like the present as we prepare for finals.
Best players:
Luna Fraser – Best for his work rate, tackle pressure, protecting his mates and rewarded for his efforts with a goal and some hard ball gets. Split his eye open accidentally in the last qtr. Great game
Cooper Smith – Consistent again this week playing on a great running player in No 7 and gaining many clean possessions from BP.
Zander Crowden – was influential up forward and kicked a couple and competed for many more.
Nathan – solid off the wing and strong in defence taking marks and stopping the oppositions forward entries. Well done Nath after only your second game back from injury.
Pat McMurrich – took plenty of contested marks around the ground today driving us forward and kicking a goal.
Luka Jordan – solid again in defence on the last line stopping their forward having any great influence in the game.
Justin Kerley (Coach)
Best: Lunna Fraser, Cooper Smith, Zander Crowden, Nathan Cranwell, Patrick McMurrich, Luka Jordaan
Goal Kickers: Z. Crowden 2, L. Fraser 2, P. McMurrich 1, B. Kaczmarek 1, R. Bonham 1.
Division 1 Men's Match Report with thanks to Pennant Hills Toyota
Division 1 Men V Parramatta Goannas
(PH 5.6.36 Loss to PG 13.6.84)
Round 17 we lined up against Parramatta in what will be our opposition come first round of finals. In a tough game we couldn’t bring home the win and struggled to stay involved for all four quarters.
The first quarter was our best and we moved the ball well though lacking some polish we didn’t reflect on the score board. Even though we had good passages of play our accuracy didn’t help and we went into the break 10 points down.
The second quarter we kept the fight and didn’t relent. Though accuracy still an issue we didn’t show on the score board are run and hunger. Our backs did a great job holding Parra to just a single behind and found space to move the ball out of our back 50. We went into the break in good spirit with our heads up.
Unfortunately, the third quarter we didn’t keep up our pressure and Parra over ran us through our skill errors. They put the game away and was a long way to come back.
Much the same for the fourth quarter though we did show some fight but not enough. We held the ball in our forward 50 for most the quarter but Parra flooded their backline making scoring a difficult task.
We will have to readjust and take some time to put ourselves back together for when we meet Parra in a fortnights time.
Warren Atwell (Coach)
Best: Myles Collins, Tait Cousens, Joshua Everett, Matthew Durkin, Mitchell Trenaman, Dom Pyne
Goal Kickers: M. Carey 2, J. Carroll 2, M. Weathers 1.
Division 2 Women’s Match Report
Women’s Division 2 v Parramatta Goannas
(PH Win by Forfeit)
Parramatta forfeited the game.
Mark Carroll (Coach)
Best:
Goal Kickers:.
Division 3 Men's Match Report with thanks to Eylex Pty Ltd
Men's Division 3 vs Parramatta
(PH Win by Forfeit)
Parramatta forfeited the game.
Sebastian Parker (Coach)
Best:
Goal Kickers:
Under 19.5’s Division 2 Match Report
Under 19.5's Division vs Sydney University
(PH 8.4.52 Loss to SU 15.5.95)
A game that pretty much sums up our season to date. Started with two on the bench (a rare sight this year) and got off to a flyer – leading 21 – 1 after the first. Shortly followed by two devastating injuries, Jakey breaking his wrist and George with his ankle leaving us with no subs.
Despite a maximum effort performance, the class of Uni, helped by four extra players, was insurmountable as they came over the top of us to record a win. The scoreboard, whilst convincing – did not at all reflect the game. All the boys can again hold their heads high and a big thanks to all the 17’s boys that came down to help after their season finished up.
Another huge shout for Brad Bulldog Pearce bringing up his 100 with another trademark gutsy performance.
Goalkickers
- Harrison Meadows – 2
- Ryan Mardling – 1
- Henry Kelly – 1
- Eamon McCauley – 1
- Joshua Brown – 1
- Henry Andrews – 1
- Toby Conway – 1
Best Players
- Ryan Mardling: First game for us, Ryan was a rock down back. Huge intercept marks, big body, more than held his own against a quality forward line. Two-way running all day, was one of the hardest workers out there. Kicked a nice goal to cap his day also.
- Joshua Brown: Huge in the middle. Consistently winning in a tough battle against his direct opponenet. Got the ball forwards at every opportunity and was a clean set of hands when required with some class pressure marks.
- Samuel Condon: Newly dubbed the Anvil, Sammy is going from strength to strength with us this year. Cool under pressure, consistently hits his mark, whether that be a kick, a pass, or an opposition player.
- Billy Baker: Added a real dynamism to the backline, Billy was class when running out or taking the kickouts. Looked really dangerous coming off Half Back and hardly made an error all day – huge for his first game.
- Henry Kelly: Class as is becoming the usual for Henry. Kicked the goal of the season on the run on his opposite side from the pocket. Consistently great.
- Toby Conway: One of my favourite players to watch when he’s on. Outstanding displays of athleticism are just normal with Toby. Kicked a banger from the arc on the run, someone tell him ruckmen aren’t supposed to be able to do that. Another one who goes from strength to strength.
Harry McDiarmid (Coach)
Best: Ryan Mardling, Joshua Brown, Samuel Condon, William Baker, Henry Kelly, Toby Conway
Goal Kickers: H. Meadows 2, T. Conway 1, J. Brown 1, E. Macauley 1, H. Kelly 1, R. Mardling 1.
Division 5 Men's Match Report with thanks to Conveyancing at Pittwater
Men’s Division 5 v Manly Warringah
(PH 1.4.10 Loss to MW 9.9.63)
With finals now out of reach, the D5M had a key objective to be disruptors to Manly’s finals campaign. Wasn’t a personal thing, we just want to make any team uncomfortable when they visit our home ground.
With all the best will in the world, we didn’t get off the start line well at all and Manly capitalised by kicking 3 early goals with no reply from the D’s. The wind was flukey at the start of the game, but to Manly’s credit they kicked straight and true. The two Sam’s (Macauley and Rice), got going in the ruck and Adam Wagner started to get his hands on the footy and managed to stem the flow late in the first quarter, but was this too late and could we recover?
A typically direct and honest appraisal from Boxy was delivered at the first break. Down 27-0, Boxy eyeballed every player and forced them to look deep inside their souls on how they can respond. It was a fair review and demanded respect. The body language changed, and we headed back into battle with a completely different mindset.
Ryan Kelleher, who does not play like a 1st year player, put his head over the ball and racked up multiple possessions, delivering balls to the advantage of our half forward line and creating plenty of run. Cal Toohey also stepped up and tackled with aggression and purpose. Will Engleman was playing his final game of the year forced turnovers and managed a couple of marks himself. When this kid winds up, he becomes a very uncomfortable opponent for Manly and helped the momentum shift slightly back in our favour. Seems like the words from Boxy were ringing in everyone's ear.
I think all of this team considered themselves fortunate to witness one of those unforgettable moments in history - the kind that years later make you say “where were you the day that xxxxx happened?” Questions were raised about why Matty Miles was in the forward half, truth be told, I’m not certain Matt really knows why he was that far forward, but he created an opportunity, was the recipient of a 50m penalty and lined up for a shot at the top of the goal square. The bench was running bets on how wide Matt would spray his shot, but he held his nerve, ignored the whispers from the clubhouse balcony, and calmly slotted a wobbly goal somewhere between the big sticks. It was a shining moment in an otherwise bleak performance but goes to show that persistence and optimism can be rewarded, so well done Matty on proving the doubters wrong.
In the end, Manly secured the win and will take a spot in the finals. We may lament missed opportunities earlier in the season and a slow start today, but there are so many wonderful signs for this group to build upon for 2025.
Special mentions for this game to Geordie Dooley, Brayden Rohr, Flynn Hume and Ducky Morris who gave their all today. We now look forward to our final game of 2024 away against Hawkesbury to round off 2024 in style.
I will see you in the next one.
Nigel Blow (Coach)
Best: Adam Wagner, Michael Morris, Flynn Hume, Matthew Miles, Geordie Dooley, Brayden Rohr
Goal Kickers: M. Miles 1.
What’s on This week
Get ready for the PHAFC 2024 Presentation Night!
We hope you have Friday 8th November marked off on you calendar for PHAFC nights of nights!
To be held at The Epping Club, be sure to start organising your table of twelve. More details to follow soon.
We look forward to celebrating with you all.

The final Home and away games are upon us. For some teams this will be their last game for the season. Well done on your seasons, your development and thankyou for your application. For teams finals bound the finals draw is below.

Finals Schedule
Men’s Premier Division will finish the H&A in 3rd on the ladder and will play Manly in the Qualifying Final

Men’s Division 1 will finish the H& A in 4th on the ladder and will play Parramatta in the Elimination Final.

Men’s Division 3 will finish top of the table and will play the winner of the qualifying final on the 7th September at Kanebridge Oval.

Under 19.5 Division 1 should finish 3rd on the ladder and play Sydney University in the Qualifying Final.

Masters have finished 3rd on the ladder after the home and away season and will play UTS IN THE 2ND Semi Final this weekend at Gwawley Oval at 1:00pm
