Men’s Premier Division Match of the Round Review – UNSW-ES Bulldogs v North Shore Bombers
–
Written by Lachlan Scott
–
First Quarter
Both sides looked pumped up and ready for a classic Grand Final Re-match on a beautiful Sydney afternoon, although the weather would have words to say about that in the second half. A Big mark by Loone to kick a captain’s goal in the opening minute gets the bombers on the board early and sets the tone of the quarter.
Argy Bargy simmers everywhere off the ball showing the spirit and rivalry between these two teams, spills over onto the Bulldogs bench with neither side backing down. Hopkins is on early with two massive run downs to stop the Bulldog’s run dead. UNSW’s defence is under siege but battling manfully until a lightning fast handball chain breaks the lines and Rayner strolls in to kick the Bombers second.
Beautifully precise kicking down the wing allows the Bombers to transition from their back 50. They get the ball into Meacham’s sure hands 35m out directly in front. He steps back and slots the goal to continue the Bomber’s first quarter stranglehold on the match.
The Bulldogs dragged themselves back into the contest with aggressive tackling and quick ball movement throughout. Their kicking inside 50 is precise and accurate but they just can’t convert it into goals yet.
The arm wrestle between the arcs continues until the Bombers start another kick mark chain, switch the play across the field and dive into the forward 50. Thomas breaks from his man and gains space, taking a towering mark which he converts into 6 points.
Down the other end Cunningham has kept Emery out of the contest so far in the first quarter in one of the most watchable match ups all season.
Quarter Time UNSW-ES Bulldogs 0.3.3 – North Shore Bombers 4.1.25
–
Second Quarter
The Bulldogs run and carry straight down the spine from the bounce giving Emery a chance to manhandle his opponent and get into space. He gets UNSW on the board with his first of the day.
Kilpatrick is stone solid in defence for the dogs with exceptional intercept marking throughout the defensive 50. The off the ball physicality continues as none of the heat has gone out of the game, both sides taking risky and aggressive kicks through the centre as a breakneck pace enters the game.
Unger continues the Bulldogs comeback, showing great skill picking the ball up off the deck and snapping across his body to close the margin. UNSW have shut out North Shore for the first half of this quarter, not for a lack of Bomber effort. UNSW’s defensive intercept marking and forward pressure to lock the ball forward has been superb at stopping the Bombers forward momentum.
The Bombers resort to chaos ball and handball chains to force the ball forward. Once inside 50, a momentum changing tackle by Hopkins nabs him a shot on goal which he slams home with surgical accuracy, giving North Shore some breathing room.
UNSW dominated in the second quarter, but a late goal keeps North Shore just out of reach heading into Half Time.
Half Time UNSW-ES Bulldogs 2.5.17 – North Shore Bombers 5.4.34
–
Third Quarter
The Heavens opened in the third and North Shore took full advantage.
Before they can start their engines Emery shows incredible marking strength and lockstep goal kicking action in the first minute to goal for UNSW and close the margin to 9.
Campbell is taken high just outside the 50m arc for the Bombers allowing them to lock it forward. A kick for goal by Loone is marked by Rayner who immediately plays on, but it’s smothered off the boot as UNSW shows again their determination and drive to prevent easy goals. Plenty of remonstrating going on across the ground in response to this, much to the crowd’s amusement.
Loone takes it personally and launches an accurate long bomb from just inside the 50 to continue to put his stamp on this match and push out the Bomber’s lead.
A free kick spotted in the depths of a rolling contest to Campbell gifts Northshore their 7th of the afternoon as they put their foot on the gas. The free kicks keep rolling in for North Shore as they consistently put their head over the footy up forward. This time Meacham is the beneficiary and a 50m penalty makes it a sure thing and he flicks it home from directly in front.
A Towering bomb from a contest in the forward pocket lands in Walker’s lap 30m out. He calmly walks back and goals for North Shore amid protests from Bulldogs defenders that the mark was touched.
The Bombers gained ascendancy in the third and some uncharacteristic sloppy defence and tackling cost UNSW.
Three Quarter Time UNSW-ES Bulldogs 3.5.23 – North Shore Bombers 10.7.61
–
Fourth Quarter
The Bombers came out swinging to start the final term with Ranyer blasting a goal across the body from the pocket to jumpstart the contest and continue North Shore’s ascendancy.
UNSW drive down the other end from the centre bounce, not converting but showing how closely matched the midfields of these two sides are. Thomas jumps on a poor kick in and thumps it into the carpark to give North Shore their 11th goal and continuing his drive to be the top goal scorer of the league.
The goals start pouring in as the Bulldogs slam the ball forward and into Emery’s hands who guides it home, reliable as always. Endemann is the next to get on the bandwagon with a silky one step snap from 35m out for UNSW. The run continues as Kilpatrick spins a banana from a very difficult angle in the forward pocket. Northshore just can’t keep the Bulldogs forwards in check in this last quarter.
North Shore drive home the win in the final minutes with goals to Thomas, Law and Rayner. A resounding victory from a club striving for the flag. UNSW showed true determination and grit but just weren’t able to connect through the middle or shut down the Bombers slick ball movement and fast forward entries.
Full Time UNSW-ES Bulldogs 7.7.49 – North Shore Bombers 13.9.87
–
Final Scores:
North Shore Bombers 13.9.87
Goal Kickers: M.Thomas 3, C. Loone 2, T. Meacham 2, J. Rayner 2, N. Campbell, W. Hopkins, J. Law, H. Walker
Best: Sam Barkley, Jack Woodman, Ned Campbell, Jordan Law, William Giacometti, James Tidemann
UNSW-ES Bulldogs 7.7.49
Goal Kickers: K. Emery 3, C. Kilpatrick 2, J. Endemann, T. Unger
Best: Sam Thorne, Jasper Hardy, Samuel Gaden, Thomas Unger, Cooper Kilpatrick, Jarrod Wachman
