Men’s Premier Division MOTW: Bull-dogged determination causes North Shore to bomb out
Image courtesy of Leigh Gazzard
Written by Michael Shillito
North Shore Bombers vs. UNSW Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs – Gore Hill Oval on Saturday 22 June
The spirit of two great clubs was there for all to see at Gore Hill Oval on Saturday. Top spot was on the line as North Shore Bombers played host to UNSW Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs. It was a high-quality game of fluctuating fortunes, with a result that no-one saw coming at three quarter time.
Gore Hill was looking a treat and a healthy crowd was circling the ground while a high-desperation scrap took place in the first quarter. The Bombers would kick three goals to one to lead by 13 points at the first change, but there was plenty more drama to be played out.
The second quarter was an arm-wrestle between two sides that look destined to feature at the business end of the season. Both felt each other out for a weakness, only to come up empty-handed. The coaches were moving their players around like pieces on a chess board, fruitlessly searching for the checkmate in the first half. The Bulldogs added two goals to one in the second term, with the Bombers holding a five-point lead at the long break.
A gripping encounter was unfolding, and two early goals to the Bulldogs handed them the advantage. Then Bombers found their run and gained momentum as the third quarter unfolded. It began from the pocket in front of the scoreboard, as Will Taylor found space and snapped truly. A few moments later, Jack Campbell went long and straight and the Bombers were in front. A free kick to Jimmy McKenzie added to the advantage.
As the clock ticked into time-on, Andrew McConnell made his mark on the contest. Flying high and pulling down a speckie, he would make no mistake with his kick. Another mark and goal after the siren put the Bombers 23 points clear. With a lead of nearly four goals and the Bulldogs down to two on the bench, no-one could have predicted what was to come.
Early in the last Hayden Nichols snapped truly to pull a goal back for the Bulldogs, yet the Bombers still looked to have the edge as the minutes were ticking by.
In this game, you need to use the foot to score. Or, in the case of the Bulldogs, the Foote. As long-serving clubman Alex Foote soccered a goal off the ground and suddenly they were back in the contest. A minute later, another ball was soccered between the big sticks into the net behind the goal, and suddenly there was only a kick in it. The tension was building, the Bulldogs had a spring in their step and the Bombers were hanging on for dear life.
And then the Bombers’ lead was gone, as Max Ries snapped one through from an impossible angle. Then Lachlan O’Callaghan cleared the line by millimetres and the momentum had swung completely. The Bulldogs were on a roll and would add three more while the Bombers were held scoreless in the final quarter.
The eight-goal final term saw the Bulldogs home by 26 points and with the win they move to top spot on the ladder. Harrison Collins, Max Ries and Jarrod Wachman were best for the Bulldogs, but it had been a solid team effort that saw them pull off a remarkable result.
Selby Lee-Steere, Shaun Crane and Dale Fitzgerald featured prominently for North Shore. It was a tough loss for the Bombers after looking in a strong position at three quarter time. For the first time this season they drop off the ladder leadership and down to third. Separated only by percentage behind their Round 11 opponents Sydney Uni.
It had been an absorbing contest, played in great spirit. Only a brave tipster would suggest these two teams won’t meet again when the finals come around.
Around the grounds, Sydney Uni moved up to second place with a 58-point win over Manly at Weldon Oval. East Coast were given a scare by Camden at Fairfax Reserve when the Cats led by nine points at the last change; but the Cats were unable to score in the last quarter and the Eagles came from behind to pull off a 17-point win. Pennant Hills were untroubled in recording a 66-point win over UTS at Mike Kenny Oval. And a flying start was enough to give Inner West a 26-point win over St George at Picken Oval.
The weekend’s results have opened the gap between fifth and sixth to three games plus plenty of percentage. Unless something remarkable happens, we know who the final five will be. But in the next few weeks, the battle for positions within the top five will heat up with some more games that will be pivotal for how the final ladder unfolds.
Match Results
UNSW Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs – 1.2 | 3.5 | 5.7 | 13.8 (86)
North Shore Bombers – 3.3 | 4.4 | 9.6 | 9.6 (60)
UNSW-ES Goals – C Burgess-Hoar 2, M Ries 2, M Collins 2, J Pawle 2, L O’Callaghan, K Reynolds-Erler, A Foote, H Nichols, T Baxter
North Shore Goals – A McConnell 3, W Taylor, J Campbell, D Roberts, J McKenzie, O Bird, M Buskariol
UNSW-ES Best – H Collins, M Ries, J Wachman, F Rowe, J Pawle, B Foote
North Shore Best – S Lee-Steere, S Crane, D Fitzgerald, E Sertbas, B Caddey, J Campbell
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