NEAFL Round 5 wrap

Mt. Gravatt record their first victory against Eastlake

The only cross-conference match of the week saw Eastlake fall to Northern rivals Mt. Gravatt by 15 points at Dittmer Park in Queensland.

It was a five goals to one third term that set the win up for the Vultures, who held on to record their first victory of the year 14.18-102 to Eastlake 12.15-87.

The game was tight from the start, with both teams wasteful in front of goal, scoring only two goals between them whilst missing several easy opportunities.

The game seem to gather momentum as it wore on with 19 scoring shots in the second quarter, the visitors taking it up to the home team, trailing by eight points at the main break.

Eastlake would have fancied their chances coming out of half-time, with the Vultures winless so far in 2012, but it was the Queenslanders who started the second half in spectacular fashion piling on five goals to one.

Nick Gilliland caused havoc up forward, nailing three goals while having a hand in others, while former AFL players, Albert Proud and Gavin Grose delivered drive through the middle of the ground.

Grose especially was the standout, holding the Mt. Gravatt defence up single handily.

Although the Demons were able to kick six goals to three in the final term, it was a matter of too little too late for the visitors.

Aaron Bruce and Hayden Armstrong were again good for Eastlake, kicking five goals between them, while Justin Mesman and Aaron Wiles battled hard throughout the day.

Eastlake battles the UWS GIANTS in Round 6, which is the precursor to the GWS GIANTS v Western Bulldogs match at Manuka Oval.

Mt. Gravatt 1.3 6.9 11.16 14.18-102

Eastlake 1.3 5.7 6.10 12.15-87

Hills Eagles overturn a half time deficit to defeat Belconnen

The Sydney Hills Eagles kept their great start to their maiden NEAFL season going by downing Belconnen by 34 points at Bruce Purser reserve.

Trailing by ten points at half time, the Hills Eagles piled on 12 goals to six in the second half to run away winners 20.16-136 to the Magpies 16.6-102.

It was Belconnen who jumped out to the early lead, kicking three goals to one in the opening quarter, and maintained the ten point advantage into half time, after both teams kicked a combined 14 goals in the second quarter.

Matthew Lokan was fantastic again for the Magpies, kicking four goals and controlling most of Belconnen’s forward thrusts, he was assisted by 2012 sensation Shane Harris on offense, who was able to nail two of his own.

However, the Hills Eagles team that came out after half time were determined to turn the match around, kicking six goals to two in a third quarter that really dictated the end result.

Gus Seebeck was magnificent up forward for the Hills Eagles, nailing a match defining six goals, while Ross Tungatalum and Matthew Edwins complemented the dominance of Seebeck, combining for seven goals.

The three quarter time margin of 21 points was never threatened, with the Hills Eagles maintaining scoreboard pressure on the Magpies, who were unable to bridge the gap.

Round 6 will see both teams play on Sunday, with the Hills Eagles travelling to Greenway to tackle Tuggeranong while Belconnen host Ainslie at Manuka.

Sydney Hills 1.4 8.6 14.14 20.16-136

Belconnen 3.2 10.4 12.5 16.6-102

Swans reserves back on the winners sheet

Sydney Swans reserves recorded a massive victory over Tuggeranong by 172 points at the SCG on Sunday.

In what is one of the hardest trips in the NEAFL draw, the Swans were bolstered by their ability to adjust to the wet conditions, running out eventual winners 32.21-213 to the Hawks 6.5-41.

The Swans jumped out to an early nine goals to one lead in the first quarter, showing superior skill and goal kicking in the wet.

It was a margin that progressively grew throughout the day, with Tuggeranong unable to cope with the amount of ball coming into the forward line. The AFL experience came to the forefront for the Swans with former Richmond Tigers recruit Mitch Morton nailing seven goals and ex-St.Kilda Saint Tommy Walsh booting five.

Trent Dennis-Lane looks to have shrugged off a disappointing start to 2012 season with five goals and countless possessions through the midfield in a dominate display.

For the visitors, Ben Cleaver was fantastic again, getting a goal to reward his grunt work through the middle. Michael Stevens was the lone multiple goal kicker for the Hawks, booting three, but in the end the Hawks just did not have the man power to compete with a rampant Swans outfit.

In round 6, the Swans Reserves travel to TIO Stadium in Darwin to face the NT Thunder in their second cross-conference battle so far this year, while Tuggeranong host the Hills Eagles at Greenway.

Sydney Swans 9.5 16.13 24.18 32.21-213

Tuggeranong 1.1 3.1 6.4 6.5-41

Two in a row for the GIANTS as they down top of the table Queanbeyan

The UWS GIANTS have put the NEAFL Eastern Conference competition on notice with a thrilling four point victory over Queanbeyan at Blacktown on Saturday.

The GIANTS lead at every change, and were able to hold out a fast finishing Tigers outfit to run out winners 14.14-98 to Queanbeyan 13.16-94.

An entertaining start to the match saw the GIANTS jump out to an early ten point lead after the Tigers were wasteful in front of goal, kicking only three goals from eight opportunities.

AFL listed players Dom Tyson and Josh Bruce were in the best again for the GIANTS and will certainly be in contention for a senior call up, while Setanta O’Haolpin was great again in his second game back from injury, kicking three goals.

The GIANTS seemed to have all the answers all the way through the match, keeping the margin between 20 to 30 points throughout the second and third quarters, giving the undefeated Tigers plenty to think about going into the final change.

The match was far from over though, as Queanbeyan surged in the fourth, kicking five goals to one in a pulsating final quarter.

The Tigers ran out of time in the end though, failing to overturn the margin largely due to missed opportunities throughout the game.

James Kavangah and Jarrod Atkinson were the main goal kickers for Queanbeyan, with four and three goals respectively.

Coach Kade Klemke and Steve Jolliffe were the Tigers best, but in the end the GIANTS had all the answers, holding on by four points.

Round 6 sees the GIANTS tackle Eastlake in the curtain raiser to the GWS Western Bulldogs match at Manuka on Saturday while Queanbeyan host Sydney Uni at Dairy Farmers Park on Sunday.

UWS GIANTS 5.3 8.10 13.13 14.14-98

Queanbeyan 3.5 5.9 8.14 13.16-94