Men’s Premier Division Match of the Round Review – Pennant Hills Demons v St George Dragons
Written by Lucas Holmes
Recap
The Pennant Hills Demons overran Manly Warringah by 26 points in round 17. The St George Dragons won a crucial contest against Sydney University by 18 points, which kept their hopes of a finals berth alive.
First quarter
It took less than a minute for Noah Casalini to make the Dragons’ intentions known.
From the opening bounce, Nelson Carey followed up his ruck work and sent the football deep inside the forward 50. Casalini took a juggling mark in the forward pocket, played on immediately and snapped across his body from close range.
St George had another forward 50 entry. On this occasion, Connor Matthews came in from the side and took an uncontested mark.
The Dragons had all the running early as Pennant Hills struggled to move the football past the centre.
Casalini was left one-on-one in the goal square. He screwed the ball too far across the face of the goal for a minor score.
The Demons first shot on goal came from a difficult angle through Theo Moraitis.
Nick Richards just found Moraitis just inside the boundary. His set shot from the arc was to the narrow side for a minor score.
Luke Skrivanic added the Demons first after 12 minutes of elapsed time.
Following a free kick, Skrivanic converted the long set shot from a tight angle.
Late in the term, Casalini went down with what appeared to be a soft tissue injury. Casalini didn’t return for the remainder of the match.
Both backlines made scoring difficult. Timothy Coenen and Jonathon Pearson didn’t give Moraitis much room to move.
Quarter time Pennant Hills Demons 1.1.7 St George Dragons 1.2.8.
Second quarter
With Casalini off the ground, St George’s structure immediately changed. Both Carey and Steven Nabaki were on the ground at the same time.
After a slow start to the contest, Pennant Hills had the first opportunity of the second term
It was Skrivanic once again. His set shot from 40 metres was to the near side for a minor score.
The Demons’ defensive pressure was on show as they forced an error as St George’s back line attempted a switch.
Pennant Hills took full advantage of this time inside the forward 50.
Moraitis after the early sighter, converted the set shot just inside the boundary. The lead was outside a goal.
St George replied straight away.
Matt Saunders cleared the ball from the stoppage. Alexander Wynn received a forward handball from Anthony Markos, straightened and kicked from 35 metres on the run.
Christian Webster took a contested mark whilst Mitchell Blow continued his strong start to the match.
A minor score from Sam Eynaud at one end whilst Timothy Tegg utilised his speed at the other.
Ethan Maher made the most of an opportunity inside the forward 50 after both sides gave away 50-metre free kicks.
Saunders added a late goal, and the Dragons’ lead was 11 points at the main break.
Half time Pennant Hills Demons 2.4.16 St George Dragons 4.3.27.
Third quarter
Webster was moved onto the ball to provide a spark, but the Dragons struck first.
After he took an athletic mark, Patrick Tegg centred the ball. Neither side could gain a clear possession as the football bobbled close to goal. Timothy Tegg got a boot to the ball from close range for the opening goal of the second half.
At the other end, the Demons peppered the goals.
Each goal post was hit once (the right twice) as Pennant Hills looked to reduce the two-goal margin.
The intensity lifted from both sides with their seasons on the line.
Pennant Hills employed the switch out of defence as they looked to quicken their ball movement.
Moraitis had a golden opportunity to kick his second, but his dribble kick did too much on the ground and went through for a minor score.
Moraitis was involved minutes later. His long set shot fell short, Eynaud roved then snapped from close range. The margin was back to four points.
Wynn replied with his second almost immediately as the Dragons steadied going into the last change.
Three quarter time Pennant Hills Demons 4.7.31 St George Dragons 6.6.42
Fourth quarter
St George went forward from the opening bounce of the fourth term. Ben Jones’ entry was cut off deep in defence by Michael Carroll.
Kye Pfrengle kicked his first minutes later.
Following a free kick, Coenen sent the football to the hotspot. Pfrengle stayed down and took the mark, then converted from 40 metres out directly in front.
The Demons replied through Isaac Franks as he made no mistake directly in front with the set shot. The margin was 10 points once again with six minutes of elapsed time.
The Dragons chipped the football around to slow Pennant Hills’ momentum.
There was a brief stoppage in play after Moraitis and Matthew Kannan collided in a marking contest.
Pfrengle got out the back to kick his second after the Pennant Hills defence was caught out of position. The Dragon’s lead was extended to 17 points.
St George didn’t let off. They kicked three late goals to the Demon’s one. All eyes would be on Sydney University and North Shore to see if the Dragons could clinch a double chance.
Full time Pennant Hills Demons 6.8.44 St George Dragons 11.9.75.
Mitchell Blow impressed not only in the ruck but around the ground. Connor Matthews was solid in defence, whilst Cooper Lee was dependable behind the football.
Timothy Coenen was superb in limiting Theo Moratis’ impact. Timothy Tegg’s speed broke the game open in a tight and physical battle. Ben Hodgson was a key exponent of this at stoppages.
Pennant Hills Demons 6.8.44
Goal kickers: L. Skrivanic 2, S. Eynaud, I, Franks, B. Matthews, T. Moraitis
Best: M. Carroll, S. Quirk, M. Blow, T. Edmonds, O. Nockles, C. Lee
St George Dragons 11.9.75
Goal kickers: E. Maher 2, J. Nicholls 2, K. Pfrengle 2, A. Wynn 2, N. Casalini, S. Nabaki, M. Saunders
Best: C. Flanagan, B. Hodgson, A. Markos, K. McKellar, K. Pfrengle, T. Tegg
As Sydney University defeated North Shore, St George will play in an Elimination Final next Sunday 1:10PM against Inner West at Henson Park.
