SSA National Champs Update

Day 3 Wrap

U16 Girls

NSW vs. SA

After a slow start, the ‘Bluebirds’ held their South Australian opponents to just one point after quarter-time, and ran out comfortable 33-point winners.

After beginning their campaign with a thumping win over ACT, before losing heavily to powerhouse Victoria on Monday, from the outset on Wednesday it was apparent this would be a much tighter contest for NSW than either of those games. 

The match started mid-morning, but for the opening 15 minutes it seemed the home side might not have fully awakened, the girls in blue butchering the ball and finding themselves down by 16 points at quarter-time, still yet to score.

The game continued as a decidedly scrappy affair in the second term, but encouragingly for the throng of local fans seated on the members’ wing, NSW got back into the game, and trailed by just eight points at the long break.

Whatever the home side’s coaching contingent said at half-time, it had the desired affect, the Bluebirds looking like a completely different side from the one which stumbled through the game’s first half hour.

The home side was sensational in the second half, their dominance kick started by a brilliant snap goal from Olivia Hall in the opening minutes of the third term, and underlined by two late majors in as many minutes from Britt Walker.

Hall was sensational through the midfield all day for the winners,  Zreika Haneen had some inspired moments, highlighted by a purple period midway through the last quarter, where she ran down and tackled an opponent, won two clearances, and backed into a pack and plucked a grab.

NSW 7.8.50 def. SA 2.5.17

NSW Goal kickers: B.Walker 3, E. Dalgarro-Fixter, V. Marriott, O.Hall, T.Tighe

NSW Best players: A.Parker, B.Walker, D.Hooper, C.Ardnt, M.Zagar

 

U12 Boys

NSW vs. TAS

New South Wales was left to rue a spate of missed opportunities in front of goal, falling by 14 points to Tasmania at Spotless Stadium on Wednesday morning.

The ‘Blue Pups’ were wasteful in front of the big sticks, and often made questionable decisions with the ball in hand, much to the frustration of the strong contingent of local supporters.

The home side completely dominated the first quarter but were unable to drive home their advantage on the scoreboard, kicking 2.4, and leaving several shots tantalisingly short of the goal line.

Hamish Dunstan, who was among his side’s best, was plucking marks at will, while towering spearhead Nathaneal Mooney looked set for a day out, completely dominating his Tasmanian defender.

But Mooney, and indeed the entire NSW side, struggled at times after that dominant first stanza, leaking a flurry of majors late in the third term, and entering three-quarter-time trailing by 20 points.

Playing on the wide expanses of the GIANTS’ home ground, with quarters running to 15 minutes sharp, the odds were always against the home side staging a comeback, but they started brightly, kicking the opening goal of the final term.

But that was to be the sole six-pointer of the fourth quarter, and the Blue Pups were left disappointed at dropping a game they could have put to bed with a more accurate opening.

Liam McCallum was brilliant for the home side, Clayton Marsh tried hard all day, and Harrison Garrett had moments of real class.

TAS: 7.5.47 def. NSW: 4.9.33

NSW Goals: D.Turner, H.Dunstan, B.Minogue, N.Mooney

NSW Best: L.McCallum, H.Dunstan, C.Marsh, H.Garrett, D.Melksham

U15 Boys

NSW vs. NT

After an even first term, NSW ran over the top of NT, recording a convincing 39-point win.

The victory means the ‘Blue Dogs’ advance to the semi-finals to face Victoria, a fantastic result for a side which has had limited time together.

The home side piled on five majors in a brilliant third term burst to take control of the contest, and with the result beyond doubt, the last term was a formality.

Kaporis Evans started the third quarter run with a classy left foot snap, before Andrew Phibbs kicked a composed major, before following it up with another, after a strong grab, five minutes later.

But the pick of the six-pointers during the third term deluge came from Corowa High School’s Jy Lane, who did his best Lewis Jetta impersonation, streaming into goal.

Lane gathered the football in the middle of the ground, turned on his hell, and accelerated away at a rate of knots, leaving NT defenders in his wake.

After five bounces and 60 metres of ground covered, the youngster sent the Sherrin sailing through mid-post height from 35 metres, bringing the crowd to its feet.

Lane was among his side’s best on the day, along with Brendan Myers, who won a ton of football through the middle, and Jack Hardman, who won his own football, and tackled with ferocity all afternoon.

NSW 9.13 .67 def. NT 3.7.25

Goals- 2 A.Paech, J.Hardman, J.Lane, E.Kaporis, A.Phibbs, K.McClure, B.Myers, J.Brander

Best – B.Myers, J.Brander, N.Parker, J.Lane, N.Eynaud, Z.Smith