Men’s Premier Division Match of the Round Review- Manly Warringah Wolves v North Shore Bombers

Written by Lucas Holmes

 

Manly Warringah entered this round 2 matchup following a 28 point victory of the East Coast Eagles. Whilst for North Shore, after having the bye in round 1 they will be looking to replicate their form of season 2021.

 

First quarter

After some early pressure inside the forward 50 for the Bombers, Manly Warringah counter-attacked which led to the opening goal.

A boundary throw-in fell into the waiting arms of Kieran Le Jeune. His kick inside the forward 50 was collected by Hayden Washington, who fired a handball to Alex Fraser. Who steadied and kicked from 30 metres out.

As the midway point of the first term approached, neither side could enter their forward 50.

This was before North Shore registered a major 15 minutes in. The Bombers were able to keep the ball inside the forward 50 where Miles Gugger converted the set shot on the angle from 25 metres out.

North Shore had two goals in quick succession. Jake Veale was awarded a 50-metre free-kick following an infraction on the mark. Veale made no mistake from just outside the goal square.

Gugger’s second goal came later in the quarter for the Bombers, Who after a slow start, ground their way back into the contest.

Quarter time Manly Warringah Wolves 1.4.10 North Shore Bombers 3.1.19.

 

Second quarter

It didn’t take long for North Shore to find the scoreboard early in the second term.

Jack Campbell was the beneficiary of a 50-metre free-kick and didn’t have any issues with a set shot just off centre as the Bombers’ lead stretched to 16 points.

Another act of ill discipline led to the Wolves’ second goal.

Ben Cunningham engaged with Kale Gabila after a marking contest. The 50-metre free-kick bought Gabila on the edge of the forward 50. His kick found Washington just outside the goal square for an easy set shot. The margin was closed to 10 points.

After Veale’s snap fell just the wrong side of the left goalpost, North Shore had their second of the term. After Ned Campbell took a strong mark in the forward pocket, yet another 50-metre free-kick was awarded. Another set shot from point-blank range.

Half time Manly Warringah Wolves 2.4.16 North Shore Bombers 5.5.35.  

 

Third quarter 

After Christian Loone followed up his ruck work, Tom Meacham’s snap around the body went very close to opening the Bombers account with under a minute gone in the third term.

However, Manly Warringah capitalised with their first entry inside the forward 50. After he laid a strong tackle in the forward pocket, Jack Field executed a perfect check side kick from the opposite pocket and the Wolves were away. The margin was cut to 14 points.

As it has been up until this point, as soon as the Wolves had the momentum the Bombers hit back straight away.

Ned Campbell’s initial set shot fell just short of the goal which created a stoppage. From the resulting ball up, Law was taken high and had no trouble with the free-kick from the tight angle.

Jake Monk almost made it two goals in less than a minute if not for a touch on the goal line from the Wolves’ defence.

Although nothing stopped North Shore minutes later.

Nathaniel Cooper’s short, spearing pass found Ned Campbell just inside the forward 50. Campbell went back and slotted his second goal for the afternoon. The margin was now 27 points.

The final goal of the quarter belonged to Bombers ruck Loone as the three-quarter time siren approached.

Three quarter time Manly Warringah Wolves 4.4.28 North Shore Bombers 8.8.56.

 

Fourth quarter

A slight concern on the injury front for both sides as the final term commenced. Law limped off North Shore, whilst Le Jeune came off holding his right shoulder (and wouldn’t take any further part in the match).

After consecutive 50 metre free kicks, it was the Bombers who had the important first goal of the quarter. Jack Woodman (who spent the afternoon holding down a key defensive role) kicked truly from 35 metres out, directly in front.

Both teams imposed themselves physically around the football as the fourth quarter progressed. It was Manly Warringah who found themselves in a goal-scoring position.

From a ball up on the far centre wing, Tenzin Tenkyong’s clearance was met with a fantastic contested, overhead mark from Gabila. On the angle from 30 metres out from goal, Gabila’s kick just had the required journey. The margin was 27 points in North Shore’s favour.

Monk’s late goal put the result out of the Wolves’ reach, with the final margin being 33 points.

Full Time Manly Warringah Wolves 5.5.35 North Shore Bombers 10.8.68. 

 

For the hosts, Ky McGrath impressed in the contested situations at stoppages and around the ground. Mark Dignam played an important role in a key defensive position, whilst Kale Gabila provided a spark in the Wolves’ forward half.

In their first outing of season 2022, Christian Loone backed up his ruck work with efforts around the ground. Sam Barkley impressed, as did Jake Monk.

 

Manly Warringah Wolves 5.5-35

Goal kickers: A. Fraser, K. Gabila, J. Field, H. Washington, L. Cameron

Best: K. Gabila, K. McGrath, Z. Youlton, R. Wearne, D. Hayes, M. Dignam

 

North Shore Bombers 10.8-68

Goal kickers: M. Gugger 2, N. Campbell 2, J. Campbell, J. Woodman, J. Law, J. Monk, C. Loone, J. Veale

Best: C. Loone, S. Barkley, J. Law, J. Campbell, J. Veale, N. Campbell