AFL Sydney Round 3 preview

By Luke Turner

The AFL Sydney match of the week doubles as a battle of the top two sides at this early stage of the season with UNSW/ES hosting Balmain at the Village Green on Saturday afternoon.

UNSW/ES were impressive in their 85-point victory over Sydney Hills Eagles away last weekend. They played with a much better structure and sense of purpose than previous years and are well-placed leading into this clash.

Matt Rawlinson and Jeremy Kiel were strong in their win last week, while Sam Tagliabue is developing into an effective ruckman with an ability to go forward and kick goals. Leigh Lavery has also been potent as a figurehead up forward, with seven goals against the Eagles.

Balmain, after a first round bye, kicked 27 goals in their 125 point win over Campbelltown on Sunday afternoon at Henson Park. They were aided by an eight goal second quarter, and nine goal to nil final quarter. Playing co-coach, Craig White was superb with six goals from the centre, and Ben Taggart was dynamic across half-forward with three goals.

The Dockers switched effectively across half-back, something the Bulldogs will look to nullify this week.

UTS host Sydney Hills at Waverley Oval, with both sides sitting on one win from two matches.

The Bats won a 37 goal shootout by 42 points over Western Suburbs, quashing any questions over their attacking potency. James Caica was most prominent with seven goals.

With their high number of new players this year, it was last year’s regulars in Luke Trimboli and Frank Boland who were among their best.

Sydney Hills Eagles as noted above were soundly beaten by UNSW/ES with their playing depth exposed in all facets. Stuart Turner and Aaron Savage tried hard in a losing side but the side will have to improve their disposal efficiency and ability to break the opposition press if they are to win this weekend.

North Shore come off a bye last round and will start as favourites at home against Campbelltown.　

The home side will be looking to register their first win of the campaign after a 21-point first round loss to Pennant Hills. In that game, Danny Roberts starred in a forward role with four goals, and Chris Murphy continued his strong pre-season with an impressive showing. They will be looking to improve on their second-half showing where they only kicked four goals to the Demons’ eight.

Campbelltown, after being even with Balmain at quarter-time fell away and only managed four goals for the last three quarters. Patience will be needed with a young side, especially as they face another tough test this weekend.

Shane Doherty was a shining light with five goals in a losing side, while Paul Green and Mitch Hogan worked hard against the dominant Dockers outfit.

In the final game of the round on Saturday evening at North Dalton Park, Illawarra host St George.

The night time fixture and the strong rain this week may well favour the home side and they will need it against St George who have started very well in the first two rounds.

They defeated Pennant Hills in Round 2, helped by a seven goal to two opening quarter. Jordan West added plenty in the ruck, with Nick Ryan the leading goalkicker with five majors. Declan Donohue and Reuben Bajada will again be important this weekend.

The Lions will need to improve markedly after a five goal win in a dour twelve goal contest against Sydney University.

Troy Bartlett and Ryan Woodward were among the Lions best last week, while Ryan Price is still the main target up forward, kicking three of the Lions’ eight goal total.