Round 5 Match Review – Men’s Premier Division: UNSW-ES Bulldogs VS Manly Warringah Wolves
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First Quarter
On a beautiful Sydney day with perfect weather, both teams find themselves at the middle of the ladder and looking to distinguish themselves and rise.
Ryder starts things off, streaming through traffic and soccers it off the turf to jump start the scoring for UNSW-ES. A quick kick from the bounce soars deep into the Bulldogs forward line and finds the chest of Emery, planting himself and securing the mark. He strolls back and sends it straight through the middle for his first and the Bulldogs second.
Emery nabs a free kick in the contest as the Wolves swarm him. He showcases his almost mechanical kicking motion to score his second of the quarter. Manly drive forward from the bounce but can’t hold the ball in their 50 and the Bulldogs transition back down the field along the wing. Foster is the beneficiary this time as he kicks from an impossible angle to continue the Bulldogs free flowing scoring. Gaden tries the same from the opposite pocket but the curling ball slams into the post for a minor.
Cooper provides lace out delivery to Emery leading out of the goal square who for the first time this quarter isn’t quite online as the kick drifts right. Manly drives multiple times through the spine of the ground but just can’t connect with their forward line yet leaving many opportunities out on the field.
Behagg shifts back for the Wolves killing multiple drives forward, but his luck runs out as he gives up a push in the back free kick to Hardy 30m out. Hardy lines up and shoots straight for the Bulldogs fifth of the quarter. Manly flies out of the centre showing they have the ability but the forward connection struggles again as Haynes kicks across his body mid tackle for a behind.
UNSW-ES gives away a 50m penalty for dissent giving the Wolves another opportunity to steam forward but the story of the quarter continues as the Bulldogs send the ball straight back down the middle and find Emery who at this point must be getting sick of scoring. He sights his target and scores with no qualms.
In an absolute blood bath of a first quarter UNSW-ES dominated possession and scoring, keeping the Wolves out of the contest despite some glimpses of skilful midfield movement and forward craft.
Quarter Time UNSW-ES Bulldogs 6.3.39 – Manly Warringah Wolves 0.2.2
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Second Quarter
Manly finds more success transitioning the ball to start off the second and turns up the pressure to dry up the Bulldog’s scoring. UNSW-ES doesn’t help themselves though with two kicks hitting the post in as many minutes. The Bulldogs forwards and midfields continue to pressure at every opportunity leading to multiple intercept marks forward. Tikkeros makes the most of his moment and slams through the first goal of the quarter with a low dart for UNSW-ES setting off alarm bells for Manly-Warringah.
Jacob’s sends a long bomb from outside 50 giving Manly a glimpse but it’s touched on the line, still showing their drives forward are meeting with more success now as they shift up a gear. The Wolves defenders also ramp up their pressure and turn off the taps as they lay their bodies on the line with smothers and intercepts throughout their defensive 50.
The Kilpatrick brothers combine to find a gap in the Wolves’ armour, but the final kick drifts left in the breeze. Peter also gets a glimpse thanks to another 50m for dissent, but this also drifts right, UNSW-ES unable to capitalise on their opportunities so far this quarter. Peter tracks the ball and sneaks out the back of the contest, picks the Sherrin up off the turf and slips it through for a goal for UNSW-ES. Gaden continues the Bulldogs dominance with a massive goal from outside the arc which was never in doubt.
Another impressive quarter from UNSW-ES as Manly goes up a gear in defence and in the midfield but just missing that final connection to make it count on the scoreboard.
Half Time UNSW-ES Bulldogs 9.7.61 – Manly Warringah Wolves 0.3.3
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Third Quarter
A congested stalemate starts off the third as both sides throw extra numbers into the middle. Manly breaks forward and Behagg receives a free kick but his shot for goal slides right for a minor. UNSW-ES flies down the field with ease as Emery gets separation out the back out of the forward line and strolls into goal to continue his scoring stream for the Bulldogs.
Hawkins puts his name forward for goal of the year, side stepping two defenders, keeping the ball alive on the boundary line and sending it soaring straight between the posts and drawing cheers from the UNSW-ES fans. Baxter provides another avenue to goal for the Bulldogs, securing a mark directly in front and 30m out. The kick never looks in doubt as he slots it through with little effort.
Emery continues to look dangerous with a powerful pack mark and kicking UNSW-ES’ 13th for the day. Manly just don’t have the answers as the Bulldogs put their foot to the floor here in the third.
Baxter tries for another with a running kick across the body, but it’s touched on the line. A free kick in the centre square allows Manly to get the ball into the hands of Laws. He lines up from the 50 but the gargantuan kick hits the post. They go again on the other side of the ground through Youlten who absolutely punishes the Sherrin, sending it soaring from 55m out and lands himself Manly’s first and only for the day so far.
Emery takes a mark that surprises everyone, coming out of nowhere and juggling it to his chest. He once again lines up and shows zero deviation, adding to UNSW-ES’ goal tally for the quarter. Manly flies along the outer wing to Youlten who slams it forward to a contest. Laws breaks off his man and runs out the back, getting the handball and spearing through Manly’s second for the quarter to raucous cheers.
Peter gets a glimpse at his second thanks to a free kick from the contest, but it drifts right in the air to wrap up the third.
Manly get themselves on the board in the third but still have no answers for the Bulldog’s forward prowess.
Three Quarter Time UNSW-ES Bulldogs 14.10.94 – Manly Warringah Wolves 2.5.17
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Fourth Quarter
Manly pushes forward from the bounce to start the final quarter with Jacobs taking a monster intercept mark to hold it in. His kick glides left for a minor to open the scoring. Youlten nabs the ball straight out of his opponent’s hands, kicks the ball across his body from a step and launches it goalward. It soars straight through the middle and Manly lands the first goal for the quarter.
Emery must be tired of scoring as he handballs off to Baxter instead of kicking for goal. Baxter strolls towards goal and kicks high and around the body, goaling with apparent ease for the Bulldogs. Baxter gets involved immediately again from the bounce, sending the ball into the hands of Thorne who shoots from the 50 but it’s touched on the line by Cameron. Thorne goes again but his bad luck continues as he kicks into the man on the mark and Manly push out of defence.
Behagg continues to battle up forward for the Wolves, every contest he’s finding himself up against 2 or 3 defenders. Manly have had more time up forward this quarter but UNSW-ES’ defenders are swarming the ball endlessly and not giving any breathing space. Wearne breaks the stalemate and goals for the Wolves giving them something to cheer for in a frustrating final quarter. Behagg receives a free kick for high contact but can’t convert his effort onto the scoreboard as the kick stabs to the right for a minor.
In a real show of force UNSW-ES put their stamp on this game from the outset and never looked back. Manly-Warringah will be disappointed with the final score and their inability to stop runs of goals but certainly showed glimpses of brilliance throughout.
Full Time UNSW-ES Bulldogs 15.12.102 – Manly Warringah Wolves 4.9.33
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Final Scores:
UNSW-ES Bulldogs: 15.12.102
Goal Kickers: K. Emery 6, T. Baxter 2, W. Foster, S. Gaden, J. Hardy, N. Hawkins, O. Peter, M. Rider, J. Tikkeros.
Best: Hamish Morrison, Thomas Unger, Sam Thorne, William Foster, Joel Crocker, Brandon Jack
Manly Warringah Wolves: 4.9.33
Goal Kickers: Z. Youlten 2, B. Laws, R. Wearne.
Best: Lachlan Cameron, Zac Youlten, Tom Sheldrick, Byron Laws, Willem Smit, Cooper Mcclennan.
