Round Sixteen Men’s Premier Division Match Review, Pennant Hills Demons v North Shore Bombers

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Written by Lachlan Scott

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First Quarter

Fans at Mike Kenny Oval were treated to the long-awaited top of the table clash this weekend as the Demons looked to unseat the Bombers. Sitting two games clear at the top, if North Shore can win here they’ve got the Minor Premiership sown up and a commanding run into finals. Nipping at their heels, Pennant Hills needs to come out flying and upset the dynamic. Not content sitting in second, this is the perfect opportunity to shape the finals make-up.

North Shore come out in strong in now expected fashion. Short sharp kicks dissecting their way through the midfield but the Demons backline surges forward and forces the turnover. They swing it wide with the final kick directed at Maguire. And he’s been cleaned up! Well high and rightly called by the umpire, he lines up 40m out directly in front. He dusts off the cobwebs and takes his full allotted time to clear his head. Long run up, soaring ball, and Goal! First of the day to Pennant Hills and they’ve upset the apple cart early.

The Demons midfield are soaring after drawing first blood and pour into the contest, mining the Sherrin out with deft hands and hard heads. Ray kicks long to the pocket and a scrambling contest. Moriatis beats his man, chaos ball, flick handball out to Edmonds. He breaks away from his man, kicks across his body through outstretched arms. But they’re in vain as the footy evades the Bomber’s defence and scrambles through for another. Demons with 2 on the trot!

North Shore dig deep and power forward from the centre bounce through Crisafulli and Grace. The Demons defence swarms the drop of the ball and apply immense pressure to force the ball back out into the midfield through Blakemore. And they’re away! Pennant Hills must have been doing sprint drills all week because their two-way running is overwhelming now. The Blue and Red Tsunami carries the ball forward and over the Bombers defence as it presses up. The final pass misses the mark, but Moriatis collects of the deck, steps, and snaps. The Sherrin hangs in the air and the goal umpire is made to work but it hits its mark in the end. Three in a row for Pennant Hills.

North Shore need to reform their defensive line and do so promptly through Woodman. The zone forms across the 50m arc and shuts down any semblance of coordinated attack. Down the other end of the ground, they fire off shots from range but can’t find the big sticks yet, not for lack of effort by Loone and co. Slight breeze picking up now and the long-range shots are being pushed around mid-air. Not a problem for either midfield as play opens up in the centre of the ground and exact field kicking is the name of the game.

Quarter Time Pennant Hills Demons 3.3.21 – North Shore Bombers 0.2.2

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Second Quarter

Loone is a leader for a reason! After a disappointing first quarter, the Bombers midfield go to work from the first bounce. They extract the ball, find the man in space, and allow him ample time to pick his target. Loone charges out of the goal-square but the defence over-commits and blocks him from the contest, downfield free kick. He lines up from 40m out at a slight angle but will within his range. There’s no mucking about with the run up, calm and collected, he slams through North Shore’s first with a textbook play.

Barkley earns a holding free kick deep in the contest and the Bombers work hard to capitalise. He scans the forward line looking for targets before picking out Drum. Incredible body work by Drum! Pushes off his opponent and marks with ease. This is a big opportunity for the key forward to cement himself before finals. And he doesn’t waste it! Straight as an arrow, goal umpire doesn’t move. Goal North Shore.

Bombers pick their way up the wing before executing the switch. Their intensity has stepped up massively this quarter and its being led by the midfield. Another free kick for holding and they’ve got a chance to head inside 50 again inside a minute. Dillon’s first kick is smothered but he nabs it off the deck, and kicks again in a Zen like display. Big pack forming at the top of the goal square, ball spills to the deck and Rowles collects as he flies past. He sidesteps one, steadies and slots it straight through to make it three in a row to North Shore. Incredible see-sawing stuff!

The Bombers again showing off their skills as they chip pass up through the midfield. Suddenly it all comes unstuck as Boag crashes through to breaks it up. He collects to find Preedy, lighting fast handball to Steven Wray. Wray holds a moment to assess, spots Maguire leading into space with a step on his man and hits him lace out. After 11 minutes of bailing water Pennant Hills have righted the ship in seconds. Maguire lines up from just outside 50 and unleashes a mighty kick that sails the required distance and straight through the big sticks. Pennant Hills stems the flow with their first goal of the quarter.

The Demons are up and about again as their midfield pressure soars, with De Vries leading the way. Play grinds forward and North Shore looks to break away, but Kunigiskis flips the script. He slaps down a handball pass in mid-air, collects and starts the attack into the forward 50. The final kick comes in high, but Maguire stayed down. He collects off the deck, turns and kicks mid spin. The tumbling ball bounces over multiple defenders and Pennant Hills have 2 in 2 minutes!

The North Shore midfield can hold their heads high this quarter, their pressure is up and feeding multiple opportunities forward. They haven’t been able to capitalize however as they continue to plink away at the goals, but the threat is ever looming.

Wales lays a bone crunching tackle at half back and earns the Demons a free kick. He finds Moriatis who wheels and goes immediately, trying to clear the congested midfield. The tumbling ball heads in the Blow direction but is spoiled to the deck. Matthews collects and lobs a chaos ball forward, tumbling out of bounds just next to the goals. In the blink of an eye Pennant Hills have cleared the field and set themselves up nicely with seconds left on the clock. Ball in right next to the behind post, Preedy grabs it out of the ruck and slams it on the boot from point blank range right on the siren. Goal Demons with no time to spare!

Half Time Pennant Hills Demons 6.3.39 – North Shore Bombers 3.5.23

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Third Quarter

Play opens up through the spine of the ground early in the third as both midfields look to spread the ball wide and create space. The opportunities are there but the shots are offline as the forward lines exchange behinds. Matthews and Webster have an incredible start down back to the quarter for Pennant Hills, shutting down all forward forays and rebounding with zeal. On the other side of the ball Walker and Campbell are carving up the midfield for the Bombers. Slicing and dicing their way past opponents, they can only be held at bay for so long.

After constant turnovers heading into the forward lines, Hill finds Dillon streaming past the contest. As they charge once again into the forward line the Demons give away a devastating free kick gifting Vlatko a shot on goal from 20m out directly in front. His run up is careful and measured and it pays off immediately as the Sherrin soars straight between the goal umpire’s ears. Goal North Shore.

With their lead diminishing the Demons on ballers have ramped up the pressure across the park. They’re forcing hurried kicks and smothering wherever possible, and it looks to be working. The Bomber backline looks to initiate the switch but pressure on the kick forces the ball wide and Carey leaps up to intercept it. He’s nabbed himself a clear shot on goal, 40m out at a slight angle. He slams home a low dart that doesn’t deviate an inch and Pennant Hills are back in the driver’s seat. Goal Demons.

Pennant Hills is back in ascendancy late here. Boag and Wray dominate the midfield battle with bone rattling tackles and silky foot skills. Nockles also steps up the forward pressure to keep the ball in their forward 50 or send any kicks out wayward. North Shore aren’t helping themselves out with a series of free kicks against them allowing Pennant Hills to march the ball back in repeatedly. Finally the dam breaks as Moraitis is caught high in the contest and lines up for goal 35m at a tough angle. The sun is behind him though and he makes short work of the kick as we’ve seen him do all year. 2 in a row for the Demons.

The Demons maintain their stranglehold for the remainder of the quarter but none of their shots hit the mark, booting 4 behinds in 4 minutes to close out the quarter.

Three Quarter Time Pennant Hills Demons 8.9.57 – North Shore Bombers 4.6.30

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Fourth Quarter

The defensive lines are again strong early in the fourth. Woodman standing tall for North Shore on the last line of defence whilst Webster roams down back for Pennant Hills. The Demons hold on however and start winning the 50/50 contests to drive down the field. Maguire launches a massive kick down field, gets to Mccreedy who turns and burns, footy rolls out of bounds just next to the goals. Pennant Hills have had success from this area all day. Angel crumbs the tap down and slices it out wide to Nockles. Known to be a long kick for goal, he’s made the most of his appearances at Premier level this year. He takes his full measure and kicks the 50m required, ball doesn’t deviate an inch. Fantastic goal for Nockles and possibly the nail in the coffin for the Bombers.

Barkelt and Hill continue to dominate in possessions for North Shore as they transition out of defence. They wind their way through the midfield as far as Matthews who launches himself and takes a towering intercept mark on the half back flank. His kick back into the centre of the ground results in a ball up, but neither of the rucks contest it! The ball hits the deck as Elkander streams through and blasts it forward. Maguire collects and snaps through heavy contact, getting the ball as far as Nockles. Chaos ball tumbling around close to goals, he finally gets control of it and cops an arm to the head 10m out at an extreme angle. North Shore have struggled with the free kick count all day and its starting to take its toll on the scoreboard. Nockles arches the back and curls the kick beautifully to slot through his second in a row. Goal Pennant Hills.

Elkander charges through the centre again and the Demons are immediately back in their forward 50. They lock it in with repeat shots on goal for a series of minors and killing considerable clock. Finally the Bombers break out, execute an immaculate switch and look to go inboard. Hill is the target, jumps for the mark and WHACK! He’s taken out from behind, high and late, 50m penalty. Umpires alternate between trying to control players and marching towards goal. Rayner lines up for the shot and slots it without much fanfare as tensions boil over late here. This match means a lot to both sides so late in the season and there’s no love lost after that incident.

Umpires are keeping whistles to their mouths now and free kicks are cropping up everywhere. They’re keeping a tight leash on the remaining 5 minutes of this match hoping tempers don’t boil over any more than they already are. Kunigiskis breaks from the contest at half forward, runs wide and kicks a centring ball to the key forwards. A pack forms at the drop of the ball but Blow flies across and marks from nowhere. 35m out and at a tough angle, kick this and its game over. And he nails it! A thumping kick from well in front of the man on the mark. Pennant Hills put a cherry on top late in an incredible upset. If they can continue this form over the coming weeks finals might have a completely different make up to what we’ve been expecting all season.

Full Time Pennant Hills Demons 11.14.80 – North Shore Bombers 5.6.36

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Final Scores:

Team Name: Pennant Hills Demons 11.14.80

Goal Kickers: H. Maguire 3, O. Nockles 2, M. Blow, M. Carey, T. Edmonds, T. Moraitis, J. Preedy, M. Vidler.

Best: Joshua Boag, Christian Webster, Mitchell Kunigiskis, Harry Maguire, Stephen Wray, Oliver Nockles

Team Name: North Shore Bombers 5.6.36

Goal Kickers: T. Drum, C. Loone, J. Rayner, J. Vlatko.

Best: Nick Hill, Jake Veale, Mitchell Crisafulli, Harrison Rowles, Sam Barkley, Jack Woodman

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