Round 10 Men’s Premier Division Match Review, Manly Warringah vs UNSW-ES Bulldogs

–

Written by Lachlan Scott

–

First Quarter

Plenty to play for in this match at Weldon Oval, and the weather did not disappoint. The Bulldogs looking to hold onto their ladder dominance, whilst the Wolves looking are looking to break away from the pack at the middle of the ladder.

A scrappy start to this match as the midfields feel each other out and shut down any attempts to break away from the contest. Finally, the Bulldogs find a way forward through Lanham who kicks across his body perpendicular to goal and finds Robin streaming out of goal. Robin takes plenty of room with the run up, the distance doesn’t bother him at all as he slams through the first goal of the game. UNSW-ES out to an early lead.

Tikkeros is in everything early, flying through the midfield every chance he gets. He takes a bump off the contest and earns a free kick for his troubles. He points towards goal, but it’s a long way out past the 50 and players congregate at the top of the goal square. The Bulldogs must have been practicing long kicks for goal because he absolutely launches it well above the heads of waiting players and the goal umpire for the Bulldog’s second in a row. A blistering start here for UNSW-ES.

Manly’s pressure is relentless, but the Bulldogs midfield and defence are getting the pass away with milliseconds to spare. The Wolves are up and about but haven’t been able to convert on the scoreboard yet, plinking away with a plethora of behinds. Tikkeros continues his early dominance unopposed. Emery remains the main target up forward for the Bulldogs, but as the latest forward entry flies in he sees Tikkeros soaring past and taps down deftly to him. Without breaking stride he collects and snaps, smashing home another one for the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs train keeps steaming down the tracks as they attack again, this time down the wing to a contest at the 50m arc. Kilpatrick dives headfirst into the contest and emerges with the Sherrin. On hands and knees, he flicks it to Robin streaming past with blistering pace. Robin collects and kicks off a step, stands in disbelief for a moment, and then cheers along with his teammates as he realises he’s kicked it straight through the posts. Another goal to UNSW-ES in a very strong early performance.

Jack sends the Bulldogs forward again, wheeling around his opponent and launching a kick from the boundary line to a mad scramble of forwards. Gaden appears like a thief in the night, soars across in front of the pack and takes a towering grab from nowhere. He walks back to take his run up, thinks better off it and dumps the kick off to Romensky who has managed to find himself alone and in space 30m out. Romensky catches it on the bounce, steps around oncoming traffic and snaps across his body for another Bulldogs goal.

Gabila continues to be a Mark of the Year machine, this week being no exception as he times his run to perfect, stutter steps up behind the pack and launches. Fans and players alike cry out in disbelief as he clunks an unbelievable mark over countless outstretched arms. Manly find another gear after that performance and launch a rapid-fire attack forward. The ball bursts out of the contest to McClennan who snaps cross his body from 40m out and manages to keep the kick just above the defender’s heads. A much-needed goal for Manly and the Wolves faithful make their voices heard after a difficult first quarter.

UNSW-ES are having none of it and drive straight down the spine in a sizzling display of gut running and foot skills. Emery breaks up the forward entry, but it bounces into the arms of Robin, who bulldozes his way through defenders, gets a leg free and stabs at the ball. He hits it sweet and it flies through for his third of the first quarter, Manly are going to have to put some work into him because he is completely off the chain.

Quarter Time Manly Warringah Wolves 1.3.9 – UNSW-ES Bulldogs 6.1.37

–

Second Quarter

UNSW-ES continue their ascendancy in the second, this time in the form of more lightning quick Tikkeros speed. A tumbling ball forward forces him into the contest as he chases the footy through defender after defender. Finally he breaks into space, turns on the jets and breaks away from everyone else on the field to stream into an open goal and kickstart the Bulldogs faithful.

Manly lock the ball forward and apply some ferocious pressure but continue to pepper the goals with behinds, unable to convert. They really need to because this Bulldogs defence can’t be shut down forever. And in the blink of an eye an errant handball leads to a turnover and UNSW-ES are streaming down the field. Sprinting in a supporting wave they transition rapidly reminiscent of the Giant’s orange tsunami. The final kick finds Robin with arms outstretched 30m out at a tough angle. He continues to make it look easy as he takes a slow and methodical run up, shooting through a pinpoint kick. Goal Bulldogs.

Again Manly look to hold the ball forward with repeat entries and squeeze the Bulldogs defence till it breaks. And finally it does! Fraser lays a seismic tackle deep in the forward pocket and earns a free kick for his efforts. He elects to kick the drop punt despite the angle, hits the ball low and hard and darts it through for a Wolves goal.

Robin continues to shine in a best on ground performance. He’s beaten to the drop of the ball but latches onto his opponent and hangs on for dear life in a titanic effort. The whistle blows and he collects his just reward, a shot on goal 30m directly in front. He wastes no time and kicks truly, adding another notch to his belt and another goal for the Bulldogs.

A much more even battle in the second half, Manly manufacturing and capitalising on more opportunities up forward. A poor Bulldogs kick in gives Adams a sniff and he wraps up an overwhelmed defender to a free kick. Knowing the importance of the kick to maintain their momentum, he paces out his run up and kicks deliberately. It pays off as the goal umpire doesn’t move an inch and Manly get another on the board.

The back and forth continues as UNSW-ES break forward from the centre bounce before anyone can react. The ball bounces around near the boundary deep in the pocket, a rushed kick out of the contest finds a lurking Robin nearly perpendicular to the behind post. He sees the time left on the clock, no one standing on the goal line, and throws down a quick check-side kick with the confidence of Stevie J. And rightfully so! Another goal for UNSW-ES.

Manly are thriving and striving off the centre bounce, as they find McMeeken doing laps along the forward 50m arc. McMeeken knows his range and sets a towering bomb to the top of the goal square, almost like he just wants to see more flying Gabila pack marks. And he doesn’t disappoint! Soaring over what seems like the entire back line, Gabila nabs the mark from the throng and soars over the front of the pack back down to earth. The kick for goal isn’t too shabby either as he keeps Manly in touch heading into the main break.

Half Time Warringah Wolves 4.6.30 – UNSW-ES Bulldogs 10.3.63

–

Third Quarter

The momentum has certainly shifted after the main break, Manly are seeing a real resurgence around the contest as they look to eat away at this sizeable Bulldogs lead. Both sides pepper away at goals early with only behinds to show for it until Manly breaks the ice with a rapid forward entry through a long bomb from Lawford. Youlten hangs back from the drop of the ball and snaffles up the crumb, kicks off the outside of the boot without breaking stride and Manly have the first of the second half!

Emery has been uncharacteristically quiet up to this point, but that changes now. Lanham kicks forward for UNSW-ES from the top of the 50 as players swarm from all over to the drop of the ball. Emery bursts through the forming pack and leaves defenders bowled over in his wake as he clunks a magnificent mark from nowhere. He takes his time with the kick, he’s seen enough footy to feel the momentum shifting against the Bulldogs. The kick is straight and true and UNSW-ES extend their lead through their leading goal kicker.

It’s not over yet as the scales tip again in Manly’s favour. Lawford collects from a favourable bounce and sprints away from the contest at top gear. His momentum carries his kick 60m deep into the forward line towards Gabila, locked arm in arm with his opponent. Fans hold their collective breath expecting some magic. And he delivers! A miraculous one-handed mark leaves the ball nestled tightly in the crook of his arm and 30m out directly in front. A must kick goal for the Wolves to stay in touch, and he delivers with a superb slice straight through the uprights.

The Wolves immediately go again as the Bulldogs defence finds itself on the back foot. Gabila lays a smothering tackle on his opposite number and the footy shoots out tumbling around chaotically. McGrath stoops low to collect with surprisingly little effort for a tall, takes a step to steady, brings out the 9-iron and launches a long, towering bomb across the body. Cheers ring out from the Wolves fans as the goal umpire watches it pass overhead, two in a row to Manly!

Robin has been silent so far this half after a devastating 6 goals in the first. He continues to run his leads however, and finally it pays off. He charges out to the pocket and gains space on his opponent, marking cleanly 30m out at a considerable angle. With the sun slowly setting behind him he lines up for number 7 in an unprecedent display. The kick is high and long, hanging in the air for an eternity before crashing back to earth between the uprights. UNSW-ES get one back late and hold on tight to their lead.

Three Quarter Time Warringah Wolves 7.10.52 – UNSW-ES Bulldogs 12.7.79

–

Fourth Quarter

UNSW-ES turns the heat down to start out the final term. They’ve maintained a sizeable lead all day and look to kill as much of the clock as possible. They flick it around across half back looking for the best option, eventually finding it in Tricks. He marks deftly just outside 50 right alongside the boundary and seems in two minds whether to pass it off or go for home. In the end he’s called to play on and sends a mammoth torpedo towards Emery in the goal square who has problems of his own with defenders swarming him. Footy nous shines through as he manhandles his opponent out of the way and watches the kick tumble through for the first goal of the quarter. Bulldogs slowly building an insurmountable lead.

Manly aren’t going down without a fight. Gabila marks on the 50m arc, spots Adams in a better position and hits him with the centring pass. Adams looks across the forward line, assessing his options. But doesn’t get to take his kick as the man on the mark infringed and it’s a 50m penalty! He lines up at the top of the goal square, kicks true and makes the Bulldogs pay the full price.

The back and forth continues, Manly striving with everything they have to force the ball forward, UNSW-ES picking off passes and trying to maintain possession. Foster intercepts a wayward handball in the centre sends a long looping handball into the waiting arms of Jack at the top of the arc. Off a step he swings across his body and hits it to perfection, the Sherrin soaring the full 50 with plenty to spare, directly through for a major. The Bulldogs really looking to close this game out and make a statement.

The Wolves won’t be deterred as the minutes wind down, and attack rapidly from the centre bounce. The Bulldogs defence gain possession but take too long to get it out in the face of dogged opposition. Marsh spoils a slow kick, knocking it down to Youlten who steps his man and gains some breathing room. He straightens and finds Marsh who has sprinted past him deep into the forward line, leading towards goal alone in a paddock of space. Marsh spins 360 to turn around, mark, turn back around, and slam home a powerful kick to cheers of Wolves faithful.

From the centre bounce they go again, Manly flying forward in a rampage fans wish they’d shown earlier. Crouch pummels the Sherrin forward with a fist, sprints to follow up, collects and pummels it again with a monster kick. A pack forms at the drop of the ball but the sun beats them all and it tumbles out the back into the waiting hands of Youlten who spins and goals in the blink of an eye. The Wolves have been dangerous all day but needed to find that edge earlier after a sluggish start.

Manly came home strong in the second half but UNSW-ES managed to plink away at the scoreboard and maintain their lead. Terrific efforts on both sides in a match up that always promises fireworks and plenty of goals.

Full Time Warringah Wolves 10.10.70 – UNSW-ES Bulldogs 14.10.94

–

Final Scores:

Team Name: Warringah Wolves 10.10.70

Goal Kickers: A. Adams 2, K. Gabila 2, Z. Youlten 2, A. Fraser, N. Marsh, C. McClennan, K. McGrath.

Best: Tom Sheldrick, Lachlan Behagg, Aiden Adams, Brody Lawford, Kieran Le Jeune, James Lugsdin

Team Name: UNSW-ES Bulldogs 14.10.94

Goal Kickers: J. Robin 7, J. Tikkeros 3, K. Emery, B. Jack, B. Romensky, F. Tricks.

Best: Jed Robin, William Foster, noah wood, Brodie Romensky, Brandon Jack, Oscar Peter

–