Men’s Premier Division Match of the Round Review – UNSW-ES Bulldogs v Pennant Hills Demons

Written by Lucas Holmes

 

The UNSW-ES Bulldogs were looking to rebound after they were run down by 12 points in round 8 by Sydney University. The Pennant Hills Demons defeated Manly Warringah by 93 points.

 

First quarter

The Bulldogs showed their intent early as they attempted to switch the football out of their defensive 50. But early on it almost cost them.

Stephen Wray’s centring ball to the hotspot was spoiled by Jasper Hardy. Max Monaghan managed to keep his feet from the original contest and handballed short to Joshua Boag. His shot at goal was smothered at the last moment by Brodie Romensky, then was rushed through for a minor score.

After Pennant Hills had all the football inside their forward half in the opening 8 minutes, the Bulldogs had a golden opportunity through Colm Culligan.

Oscar Peter ran the near centre wing and delivered to Dean Towers on the half-forward flank. Towers delivered a perfect left-foot pass to where only Culligan could mark, just outside the goal square. Culligan hit the left goal post as scores were level once again.

Culligan made no mistake minutes later. Mitchell Conn centred the football from a boundary throw-in on the half-forward flank. Culligan was held in the marking contest just outside of the goal square on an angle. Culligan didn’t miss.

Pennant Hills had a chance of their own from a stoppage deep inside their forward 50.

Ben Matthews made his way through the front of the stoppage and somehow fashioned a kick without taking full possession. His quick kick was just outside the left goal post.

The Bulldogs added a goal on the quarter time siren (from a 50-metre free kick) as they opened a healthy margin.

Quarter time UNSW-ES Bulldogs 4.3.27 Pennant Hills Demons 0.2.2.

 

Second quarter

The Demons launched themselves into attack from the first bounce of the second term. Only this time they came away with a goal.

Matthews hooked the football to the hotspot from the forward pocket. Sam Eynaud came in from the side of the contest and put his head over the football and as a result, was collected high. Eynaud converted the set shot from 20 metres out almost directly in front as Pennant Hills looked to chip away at the deficit.

The Bulldogs replied straight away, and it was Culligan once more.

Fred Tricks sent the ball inside the forward 50 from the point of the centre square and Culligan soared over two Demon defenders and took a high mark and another goal from close range.

Both sides traded minor scores before Pennant Hills struck back through the right boot of Sebastian Quirk.

Demons ruck Mitchell Blow won a free kick on the centre wing. His high kick was met by a pack of players in the hotspot, Nicholas Eynaud kept his feet and fed a short handball to Quirk. Sebastian created space and snapped from 25 metres out just off centre.

After the Demons wrestled back some of the momentum in the early part of the quarter, the Bulldogs again put their foot down.

Goals in quick succession from Conn and Tom Banuelos and a late Oscar Peter goal rounded out a dominant first-half display.

Half time UNSW-ES Bulldogs 8.9.57 Pennant Hills Demons 2.3.15.

 

Third quarter

The Bulldogs had a great opportunity in the first 90 seconds of the second half. Liam Ross pulled his set shot from 25 metres out directly in front for a minor score.

Both sides traded minor scores before Pennant Hills transitioned the football from one end of Henson Park to the other.

Wilson Mudge did extremely well to create space at centre half back and barrelled the football into the middle of the ground. Thomas Tyson lost his footing as he reached back attempting to take the intercept mark. This allowed Boag to swoop in and take a bounce before he kicked from 30 metres out, directly in front.

Towers answered back immediately after being infringed in the ruck before the Demons finished the quarter the strongest.

Goals to Nick Sparks, Monaghan and a late goal to Mathews ensured the Demons had a fighters’ chance at the last change.

Three quarter time UNSW-ES Bulldogs 9.15.69 Pennant Hills Demons 6.4.40.

 

Fourth quarter

The Bulldogs had an opportunity to put the game out of reach in the opening minutes of the final term.

A downfield free kick was paid after Bulldogs ruck Jack Willis was tackled after he disposed of the football. Hamish Dunstan took the set shot from 30 metres out on the angle and pushed it to the right for a minor score.

The Demons immediately took the game on out of the back half as Tim Wales made multiple efforts before they linked up by hand in the centre corridor.

This change in mindset didn’t take long to pay dividends as Quirk added his second from a set shot 40 metres out.

Culligan kicked his fourth before Monaghan added his second and third in quick succession.

Late UNSW-ES goals to Ross and Jake Brown rounded out a solid 29-point victory.

Full time UNSW-ES Bulldogs 12.17.89 Pennant Hills Demons 9.6.60.

 

Brodie Romensky was outstanding for the Bulldogs not only around stoppages but also behind the football. Colm Culligan in his third game of senior football impressed in the forward line whilst Jasper Hardy was solid in defence.

Joshua Boag acted like a fifth onballer even though he rucked most of the afternoon for Pennant Hills. Cooper Lee stood out behind the football and Max Monaghan provided a focal point with the usual suspects in Maguire and Moraitis unavailable.

 

UNSW Bulldogs 12.17.89

Goal kickers: C. Culligan 4, J. Brown 2, L. Ross 2, T. Banuelos, M. Conn, O. Peter, D. Towers

Best: B. Romensky, C. Culligan, M. Conn, L. Ross, E. Eshuys, J. Willis

 

Pennant Hills Demons 9.6.60

Goal kickers: M. Monaghan 3, S. Quirk 2, J. Boag, S. Eynaud, B. Matthews, N. Sparks

Best: S. Quirk, C. Lee, T. Wales, N. Eynaud, L. Skrivanic, M. Monaghan