Men’s Premier Division Preliminary Final Review – North Shore Bombers v St George Dragons
Written by Lucas Holms
Previous meetings
The St George Dragons won a tight contest by seven points over the North Shore Bombers in round 8. In round 15, with the scores level at three-quarter time, the Bombers produced a five-goal last term as they won by 33 points.
First quarter
It was a damp afternoon at Henson Park. A strong breeze favoured the Bombers in the first term.
After three minutes of elapsed time, North Shore opened their account.
Will Edwards got a right fist to an attempted forward entry from the Dragons. In the centre corridor, Sam Barkley’s long kick got over the back of the St George defence. Max Thomas tapped the football onto Felix Rogers, who dribbled home from the left forward pocket.
Key forward Josh Rayner had the chance to make it two quick goals. His set shot started online but was dragged wide by the wind for a minor score.
Kye Pfrengle had the first shot on goal for the Dragons.
St George Captain Ben Jones burst out of the front of a stoppage on the near centre wing. His driving kick was marked by Pfrengle, who dove forwards. His set shot started (and stayed) to the right for a behind.
Daniel Widders had a long set shot into the teeth of the wind as St George started to create opportunities in their forward half.
For North Shore, Felix Rogers spent some time across half back. The Dragons kept adding to their total (0.4)
Jordan Law kicked a behind from a set shot after the quarter-time siren.
Quarter time North Shore Bombers 1.2.8 St George Dragons 0.4.4.
Second quarter
It was a physical start to the second term. North Shore looked comfortable in contested situations, whilst St George utilised the width of the playing surface.
After repeat stoppages inside the forward 50, Law kicked the first goal of the term after five minutes of elapsed time.
Law was awarded a holding-the-ball free kick and converted the set shot from 30 metres out, on a 45-degree angle. The first goal against the breeze.
The Bombers dominated both time of possession and territory as the Dragons had limited opportunities with the breeze.
Timothy Tegg kicked the first goal for St George after 10 minutes of elapsed time.
From a stoppage on the centre wing, the Dragons kept the football moving to their half-forward flank. Anthony Markos fed Tegg with a short handball. He kicked on the run from just inside the arc.
The margin was back to four points.
A rushed behind followed soon after as the rain arrived at Henson Park.
As a result, the number of stoppages went through the roof as both sides played a more direct style.
Scoring during this period became extremely difficult. St George added two late behinds as the margin was a solitary point at the long break.
Half time North Shore Bombers 2.2.14 St George Dragons 1.7.13.
Third quarter
North Shore went forward earlier in the third quarter. Jamie Vlatko’s clearance was marked with one arm by Matthew Kannan as he backed into the pack.
The St George defence held firm as the Bombers had the majority of time with the football.
Felix Rogers almost kicked an identical goal to his first. On this occasion, the ball thudded into the padding of the left goal post.
The physicality lifted halfway through the term.
Matt Saunders was displeased with the treatment from Jake Veale. Jason Roach limped off with what appeared to be a soft tissue injury.
Jack Campbell made a crucial decision and left his direct opponent, which broke up a counterattack as the Dragons streamed forward.
After 17 minutes of elapsed time, North Shore kicked the only goal of the term through Liam Puncher.
After a free kick forward of the centre wing, Rayner found Puncher, who marked on the second attempt.
From the right forward pocket (kicking directly down the breeze), Puncher kicked truly.
The margin at the last change was eight points.
Three quarter time North Shore Bombers 3.3.21 St George Dragons 1.7.13.
Fourth quarter
It was a stoppage-laden start to the final term.
St George required a fast start to get themselves within a goal. An advantage for the Dragons was they were kicking with the breeze.
Ben Hodgson laid a superb tackle on Nicholas Brewer as the Bombers looked to enter the forward 50.
St George looked to counterattack. Markos looked for Widders, who was one-on-one inside the forward 50. Unfortunately for the Dragons, the football trickled out of bounds.
Roach returned to the ground midway through the final term as the Bombers maintained an eight-point advantage.
Puncher kicked his second soon after.
From a stoppage inside the forward 50, Vlatko’s rushed clearance went laterally, which found the chest of Puncher.
From 25 metres out just off centre, Puncher kicked North Shore into the 2022 Premier Division men’s Grand Final.
Full time North Shore Bombers 4.3.27 St George Dragons 1.8.14.
Jordan Law was instrumental at stoppages for North Shore. Jack Woodman was stout in defence whilst he laid the platform with his ball use. Whilst Christian Loone followed up at ground level in the ruck.
Kyle McKellar was outstanding in the back half for St George. Ben Jones’s clean hands were on display in the difficult conditions, and Ben Hodgson impressed on the inside.
North Shore Bombers 4.3.27
Goal kickers: L. Puncher 2, J. Law, F. Rogers
Best: J. Law, N. Campbell, C. Loone, J. Veale, J. Woodman, L. Puncher
St George Dragons 1.8.14
Goal kickers: T. Tegg
Best: T. Coenen, B. Hodgson, C. Flanagan, B. Jones, M. Kannan, K. McKellar
The UNSW-ES Bulldogs will take on the North Shore Bombers in the 2022 Premier Division men’s Grand Final (their fourth meeting of the season). Which will be played on Saturday, September 10 at 2:00 PM at Henson Park.
