Few surprises in NEAFL Round One
Sydney Hills Eagles defeated Sydney University.
Sydney Hills won the battle of the new NEAFL teams on Saturday, accounting for Sydney University by 15 points.
The Eagles lead at every change to run out eventual winners 14.12-96 to the Students 12.9-81.
Hills Eagles jumped out to an early lead, with new recruit Ryan Houlihan kicking his side’s first goal with his first kick as an Eagle.
Sydney University fought back though, and gave the spectators a fantastic contest that was alive well into the final quarter.
Hills Eagles take on Queanbeyan at home next week while Sydney University take on Belconnen, also at home.
HILLS EAGLES – 5.5 9.6 13.10 14.12 (96)
SYDNEY UNI – 3.2 6.2 11.6 12.9 (81)
Sydney Swans reserves defeated UWS Giants.
Sydney Swans reserves opened their 2012 with a resounding 118 point victory over the UWS Giants at ANZ Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Swans were ruthless in their assault on the ball and man, showing their cross town rivals that there is still a long road ahead, recording a 23.13-151 to 4.9-33 win against Giants.
The reigning NEAFL Eastern Conference leading goal kicker Trent Dennis-Lane dominated the Swans forward line, kicking six goals, while Jesse White put his hand up for senior selection with four goals in a strong performance across half forward.
The Swans kept the Giants scoreless until the 14-minute mark of the second quarter, while kicking 11 goals of their own.
The Swans were able to play a full strength team, given they were playing a fellow AFL reserves side, and the gulf in class was evident with Jed Lamb, Jared Moore and Mark Seaby all kicking two goals each as well as gathering countless possessions through the midfield.
Both teams have the bye next week.
SWANS 8.3 15.6 18.11 23.13 (151)
UWS 0.0 1.1 3.7 4.9 (33)
Ainslie defeated Belconnen
Ainslie opened their 2012 campaign on Sunday with a solid win against Belconnen at Ainslie Oval. The reigning premiers set the win up with a blistering eight goals to two first quarter, running out eventual winners 22 .12-144 to Belconnen 18.8– 116.
Belconnen matched Ainslie for large parts of the game, and their efforts remained strong throughout the entire match, exemplified by 19 year old Jordon Harper, who in the second quarter pressured the Ainslie defenders with a fantastic smother and a clever check-side kick on goal.
The Ainslie midfield was ruthless in their attack on the ball, with turnovers at the Magpie’s forward 50 often resulting in goals immediately at the other end, while new recruit Ken McGregor made a great start to his NEAFL career booting four goals whilst providing a strong presence up forward.
Ainslie, who had come off a limited preparation with rain affecting their lead up matches, were forced to rest players late in the fourth quarter, allowing Belconnen to pile on eight goals to five in the final term.
Ainslie will host the first cross conference game this year taking on Labrador while Belconnen will travel to Sydney to take on Sydney Uni at Henson Park.
AINSLIE – 8.3 13.7 17.7 22.12-144
BELCONNEN – 2.2 6.5 10.7 18.8-116
Queanbeyan defeated Tuggeranong
In what was a massive day for Queanbeyan, with the unveiling of a plaque for Noel Miller on the Walk of Honor at DFP and half back Rou Jaques 100th Club game, the stage was set for a big win but no one expected it to be as big as it was.
The first 10 minutes provided some of the hardest hits of the game with both teams exchanging brutal blows and fighting for every possession and the score being locked at nil a piece.
However, after this initial onslaught it was all one way traffic as the young, energetic and high paced Tigers showing that this year would not be like last as they went about dismantling the Hawks.
The Tigers had many standout with new coach Kade Klemke and new recruit Jarrod Atkinson looking at home on the halfback line while forwards James Kavanagh and Daniel Campbell had a field day kicking 9 and 4 a piece.
The Stars in the Tigers outfit though would definitely have to be their midfield and wings who tackled, harassed and controlled the entire game. Kaine Stevens and Steven Jolliffe appeared to have the ball on a string while Will Griggs was relentless in his attack on the ball. Ben Clever was one of the few shining lights for Tuggeranong in what was a pretty disappointing effort.
Round 2 will see Queanbeyan travel to Sydney to take on the Hills Eagles while Tuggeranong have got the challenge of taking on a highly favored Eastlake.
QUEANBEYAN – 7.3 13.11 26.14 30.20-200
TUGGERANONG – 1.1 4.3 5.6 7.10-52
Photo by Ben Southall Photography
