Men’s Premier Division Match of the Round Review – Manly Warringah Wolves vs. St. George Dragons

Written By Lucas Holmes

 

Recap

Both the Manly Warringah Wolves and St George Dragons came into Sir Doug Nicholls round after they recorded strong victories. The sharp-shooting Wolves defeated Camden by 69 points, whilst the Dragons defeated UTS by 95 points.

St George’s ball movement particularly off their half-back line set the tone for the game. Once the ball reached its forward half it didn’t make its way out very easily as the Dragon’s pressure around the football was relentless. The Wolves had their chances but it was often the last kick going inside the forward 50 that let them down.

 

First quarter

Before the opening bounce, a smoking ceremony was held in the middle of Weldon Oval as a part of the celebrations of Sir Doug Nicholls round.

An intercept mark deep inside defensive 50 for the Dragons led to the first goal of the afternoon. Alexander Wynn quickly switched the direction of play to the opposite back pocket. A short handball on the centre wing opened up the Wolves defence, as St George streamed through the centre corridor. A pinpoint kick from Noah Casalini found Dominic Soffe on the goal line and Soffe kicked the opening goal.

The second goal from St George came minutes later. Dragons ruck Steven Nabaki provided a tap straight into the waiting arms of Ben Hodgson from a boundary throw in on the half-forward flank. Hodgson ran to 55 metres and launched the ball towards. Ethan Maher unselfishly allowed the ball to roll through and the Dragons had their second.

Casalini added the quarter’s final two goals and St George was off to a strong start.

Quarter time Manly Warringah Wolves 0.0.0 St George Dragons 4.8.32.

 

Second quarter

It took no more than 30 seconds for the Dragons to strike in the second quarter. From the opening bounce, Matthew Saunders collected the ball on the half-forward flank then delivered a perfect pass to Casalini. Casalini kicked his third goal from 25 metres out to give St George an ideal start to the quarter.

Manly Warringah almost answered straight back, after some chain handballs on the centre wing, Campbell Mcphee created an overlap on the far side of the ground. Ryan Wearne sent the ball deep inside forward the 50, however, a free kick was given against Lachlan Behagg for a push.

St George added their second major of the quarter seven minutes in. A smother of an attempted clearance from Aiden Butler fell into the arms of Saunders. Saunders fired a short handball to Wynn who snapped across his body from inside the 50.

Hodgson and Wynn both kicked their second goals whilst Patrick Tegg kicked his first rounding out the second quarter.

Half Time Manly Warringah Wolves 0.2.2 St George Dragons 9.9.63.

 

Third quarter

Casalini’s fourth would open the term for the Dragons. Connor Flanagan roved the ball beautifully on the Dragons half-back flank. Flanagan ran into the centre circles before he delivered a low kick into the path of Casalini. Casalini ran into the forward pocket beating Tim Donnellan with speed before kicking from a very tight angle bringing up his fourth major.

It was St George’s ball movement in transition that led to Soffe’s second goal. After Timothy Tegg’s initial kick was smothered, his handball found Nabaki on the centre wing. This led to some chain handballs before Blake Guthrie found Casalini inside the forward 50. His kick was intercepted but it didn’t take long for the Dragons to win it back. Some sweeping handballs found Soffe who kicked off a few short steps from 40 metres.

Manly Warringah hit back straight away with their first goal of the afternoon. Jacob De Angelis sent the Wolves inside their forward 50, Thomas O’Leary collected the ball and fired a short handball to Ryan Stubbs. Stubbs broke one tackle and kicked truly from distance.

Three quarter time Manly Warringah Wolves 1.3.9 St George Dragons 12.11.78.

 

Fourth quarter

After a free-kick was reversed at centre half-back for the Dragons, they transitioned the ball into their forward half as they had been able to all afternoon. Their Captain Ben Jones centred the ball to the top of the goal square Wynn reacted the quickest poking the ball across the goal line from a few metres out.

Saunders kicked his first before Behagg (who’d spent periods in the ruck) got on the scoreboard for the Wolves.

On this occasion, it was Manly Warringah who was able to transition from their back half. Wearne’s clearing kick found Jack Field on the centre wing, Field played on quickly but found trouble in the centre corridor. The ball was then moved back onto the near half-forward flank where Wearne tapped on cleverly to Zachery Youlten. Youlten’s centring ball found Behagg who kicked his first from the top of the goal square.

Both sides kicked consecutive goals to finish off the match, Saunders (his second) and Nathan Kenny for the Wolves. Then Behagg’s second and O’Leary.

Full-time Manly Warringah Wolves 4.6.30 St George Dragons 15.6.106.

St George’s ball movement was superb for the duration of the afternoon. Wynn was one of the better players on the ground, Nabaki was solid in the ruck and impressive around the ground whilst Casalini was electric in the forward line.

For Manly Warringah Youlten’s usage by foot particularly was a feature, Wearne was solid running off the half-back flank. Whilst Behagg was effective (particularly when used in the ruck).

 

Manly Warringah Wolves 4.6.30

Goal kickers: L. Behagg 2, R. Stubbs, T. O’Leary

Best:  A. Butler, R. Stubbs, Z. Youlten, R. Wearne, A. Fraser, T. Donnellan

St George Dragons 15.6.106

Goal kickers: N. Casalini 4, A. Wynn 3, M. Saunders 2, D. Soffe 2, B. Hodgson 2, P. Tegg, N. Kenny

Best: B. Jones, C. Flanagan, A. Wynn, N. Kenny, N. Casalini, T. Gorman-Brown

 

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

East Coast Eagles vs. Sydney University – 2:00pm Kanebridge Oval, Kellyville

 

Photo by Merrillie Redden