Men’s Premier Division Match of the Round Review – UTS AFC Bats vs. Inner West Magpies

Written By Lucas Holmes 

 

Recap

Both the UTS Bats and Inner West Magpies will be looking to strengthen their top 5 credentials in this round 5 matchup. The Bats after going down to Sydney University by 27 points in round 4 will be looking to bounce back. As for the Magpies, after they defeated the East Coast Eagles by 52 points last weekend they’ll want to keep in touch with the top 3.

After being moved to Picken Oval as a result of wet weather, a highly entertaining clash was played out between two sides that should play a part in September. The UTS ball movement off half back proved to be the difference.  You can’t fault Inner West who were behind at every change and just fell short.

 

First quarter

After UTS went forward from the opening bounce, Inner West were able to transition from their half back flank to inside forward 50. A clever piece of play from Ben Zoppo saw him intercept a defensive handball who then found Elliott Harper alone in the goal square for the first goal of the afternoon.

A lovely kick into the centre corridor from Wiiliam Collis opened the Bats defense right up. Collis second effort found Braydon Bux over the back who strolled in to kick the Magpies second.

From the resulting centre bounce The Bats answered back, Jack Rogers won the ruck tap then applied a tackle that cleared a space for Xavier Barry-Murphy to find Zac Murphy deep inside the forward 50 who finished with a mouth-watering check-side for the first UTS goal.

This was the first of three consecutive goals for the Bats, before Harper’s second and a late goal to Timothy Garvey. Quarter time UTS Bats 4.3.27 Inner West Magpies 3.2.20

 

Second quarter

It took a little over two minutes for Inner West to strike in the second quarter, a pinpoint kick from Patrick O’Connell to the lively Brandon Lagana once again opened up the Bats defence. The Magpies forwards switched the ball from one forward flank to the other in order for Daniel O’Connell’s first goal.

As the end-to-end nature of this game continued we waited until the twelfth minute for the Bats response, a lovely switch to the far half back flank from Andrew Pretto to Liam O’Neil who fired a handball to Barry-Murphy who found Tom Borrillo who kicked his first.

Both sides then kicked two consecutive goals (including one to Inner West ruck Liam Jamieson) before Borrillo second closed out the first half. Half time UTS Bats 7.6.48 Inner West Magpies 6.4.40

 

Third quarter

The third quarter at Picken Oval didn’t disappoint with a combined nine goals kicked. It took all of 40 seconds for UTS to register a major. The hard running Michael Hart found Ashley Backlund who quickly found Sam Williams in the forward pocket who casually snapped on his left foot for the first goal.

Both sides traded goals in a mammoth 33 minute third quarter with Williams kicking three of his four goals in the quarter.Three quarter time UTS Bats 12.8.80 Inner West Magpies 10.8.68

 

Fourth quarter

The Magpies needed a spark to begin the fourth quarter and got exactly that through small forward Bux seven minutes in. An attacking smother from Callum McEvoy-Gray bought the ball just inside attacking 50 for the Magpies, Lagana hooked the ball back to the top of the goal square where Bux took front position and marked, playing on into an open goal.

Inner West created a turnover through Daniel O’connell as UTS tried to exit their defensive 50. A sharp handball from Nicholas Mccormack sends the composed Joshua Robinson into an open goal and Inner West is in front. Williams swept a wide handball to Preddo who under next to no pressure hits the goal post- a golden opportunity gone begging for the Bats.

However it didn’t take long for another opportunity to present itself for UTS, a high ball from inside the centre square found O’Neil who quickly found Williams closer to goal. Williams takes the responsibility and converted the set shot. UTS retake the lead and hold on to win by four points.

For UTS Bodey Lambert and Xavier Barry-Murphy stood out. For Inner West Callum McEvoy-Gray, Lucas Lam and Brandon Lagana impressed.   Full time UTS Bats 13.10.88 Inner West Magpies 12.12.84

 

UTS Bats 13.10.88

Goal kickers: S. Williams 4, T. Borrillo 3, A. Backlund 3, Z. Murphy, T. Garvey, L. Borrillo

Best: T. Borrillo, A. Backlund, H. Hayward, J. Lee, Z. Galit, G. Lipinski

Inner West Magpies 12.12.84

Goal kickers: L. Jamieson 2, B. Bux 2, E. Harper 2, B. Lagana 2, J. Robinson, B. Zoppo, J. Zoppo, D. O’Connell

Best: B. Lagana, B. Klemke, P. O”Connell, L. Lam, E. Harper, P. Wilmot

 

Premier Division Men’s – Match of the Round next week; 

Pennant Hills Demons vs. North Shore Bombers – Mike Kenny Oval 2:40pm Saturday May 15

 

Photo by Merrillie Redden