NEWS

Finals Week 1

This weekend saw a mixed bag of results, with a number of teams suffering difficult losses. A-Grade and the C-Colts were the only winners on the day, both progressing to the next round of finals.

For the A-Reserves, C5-Grade and C4-Grade Women’s, the 2021 season came to an abrupt stop, all suffering close loses in a disappointing day.

The A-Colts and E1-Grade lost their finals but survive for another week. You can see the remaining teams this weekend:

  • 10:40am | A-Colts v Curtin Uni Wesley @ Charles Riley Reserve – Semi Final
  • 2:30pm | A-Grade v North Beach @ Charles Riley Reserve – Semi Final
  • 2:30pm | E1-Grade v Collegians @ UWA Sports Park – Preliminary Final
  • BYE | C-Colts – Grand final next weekend
Images @sportingimageswa

 

Steinepreis A-Grade (Elimination Final)

University 14.5 89 def Fremantle C.B.C 7.4 46

On a perfect day for football, in front of a good crowd at the McG, the WAAFL/PFL’s two oldest clubs went at it again just like they have been doing now for 100 years. University, the league’s most successful club, and CBC were playing off for the right to stay alive in the A Grade competition.

The previous games this year had seen the results evenly balanced at one a piece with Uni winning the centenary clash at Fremantle Oval and CBC winning at home in the return game so this game looked like it would be a cracker. Uni were very much the younger team with CBC boasting the most experienced team in the competition comprising a number of hardened veterans. A good start and not allowing the CBC old heads to control the game was essential.

Funnily enough it was Uni’s youngest player, young Sam West who kicked the first goal of the day. CBC responded quickly but goals to Taylor and Doc Blakely gave Uni a narrow 13 point advantage at quarter time. CBC responded well and look to have the game in their control when they kicked the first four goals of the second quarter however, as they have done time and time again, Uni were able to respond with two late goals to the dynamic Davies, whose goal kicking yips seemed to have been repaired in the two up ring in Broome, and we went into half time even at 5.2-32 apiece.

We urged the boys to run the old CBC boy off their feet and this exactly what happened with the Uni mids getting on top , our backs led by Sticks O’Hara , Nobby Harris, Nath Stewart and Tommy Bertola (who nearly killed another bloke today) getting right on top and our forwards looking dangerous (2 goals to both Davis and Trombetta) .

The premiership quarter was a ripper and we finished the game off well to kick 9 goals to 2 in the second half and run our comfortable winners 14.5-89 to 7.4- 46, a 43 point margin. So now we have the Beach at Beach. Always a formidable challenge but one the boys will relish. The boys are focused on one week at a time but have a strong belief that they can go all the way and win the clubs 21st A Grade premiership.

Commiserations to the Louis, Shiney and the Ressie’s as well to the other sides who bowed out this weekend. There are four of us left, including the two Colts team and we need three of us to win to make it 100 PFL flags. Good luck to all for this weekend.

Match Report by Jim Malone

Goals: Davis 5 Trombetta 3 West 2 Evans 2 Taylor 1 Blakely 1 Best

Best: Davies, O’Hara, Harris, Murray, West, Bennett, Stewart

4 Pines A-Reserves (Elimination Final)

University 3.5 23 def by Fremantle C.B.C 10.7 67

The Ressies went into Saturday’s final as the underdogs, running out onto the McG in the white clash strip as they “away” team. The start of the game was just as milky as the uniforms, with a perfect passage of play ending with Jack Durward slotting a set shot from 40 metres out to open Uni’s account before CBC touched the footy. The rest of the quarter wouldn’t be so straight forward, with a fierce midfield battle unfolding as Uni tried to negate a dominant CBC ruckman. Uni’s second came in unusual circumstances, with Ollie O’Meehan floating a high ball on Troy Culloton’s head on the wing. Darts’ kick turned out to be perfectly weighted so as to tempt the CBC man into tunnelling Culloton, resulting in a 50m penalty, which soon became a 100m penalty and straightforward set shot.
The second quarter was unfortunately all CBC’s, with Uni failing to execute as the pressure rose. The backmen were under siege, with Halliday, Poodle Culloton, Dykes, and T-Ferg all put on incredible displays of spoiling, while Lantzke and O’Loughlin doing their best to mop up the crumbs. CBC took a four goal lead into half time. With the side a bit flat, assistant coach Shiney gave  a well needed rev up, challenging them to turn the tide and play in a way that better represented our scrappy and hard fought season. The boys responded well in the third and lifted the pressure and attack on the ball. It was a relatively evenly matched quarter, though Uni struggled to hit the scoreboard against a tidy CBC defence.
We threw the magnets around at 3 qtr time to try and extract something from the last 20 minutes. Captain Poodle went to centre half forward and presented well, while a number of players rolled through the midfield to provide a spark. We finished off the game playing a solid brand of footy, but were ultimately beaten by a stronger, experienced side. Alex Dykes was Uni’s best on the day, showing courage and determination for the full 80 minutes.
So the ressies season comes to an end, with a lack of continuity ultimately holding us back from going further than the first round of the finals. It hasn’t been without its highlights and memorable games, and the boys enjoyed an afternoon in the can bar followed by a high time on the old town. Special thanks goes to Greg Shine who has been the most reliable member of the team and a cool, experienced head on the sidelines. Both Shiney and I agree that there’s a lot of talent in the ressies and the side should go from strength to strength over the next few years.
Well done to all sides this season, and good luck to the A Grade, A Colts, and C Gulls, who are looking to go all the way.
Best: Dykes, Dent, Monkhouse, Hopkinson, Culluton, Culloton, Winmar, Shackles, Durward
Goals: Cullton, Offerman, Durward

Phil Scott Colts (Qualifying Final)

University 7.6 48 def by Trinity Aquinas 6.14 50

Brewhub C5-Grade Pirates (Semi Final)

University 7.5 47 def by Trinity Aquinas 8.8 56

The Pirates have fallen agonisingly short of making their fifth preliminary final in a row going down by 9 points to a strong Trinity Aquinas side at Billy Grayden on Saturday afternoon. Coming into the game the Pirates had won 4 in a row and after a stellar performance against CBC last week there was some hope coming into the contest.

The mantra for the group was to maintain their status as the Road Warriors and brace ourselves for a fierce contest from the first bounce. The ferocity of the contest was felt particularly in the first quarter as the skilful TAs side took control kicking away in the first quarter. A lead of 22-1 for TAs at the first break triggered some alarm bells.

But as this side has done the whole year it dug in for the contest despite all the odds being stacked against them. Injuries to Mike Nin, Harry Don and Senior in the first quarter and a half, and many other sides would roll over. But this group has been built different. The boys won the second quarter, with the Macedonian Marvel willing the team into the contest and Nelma proving dangerous on the lead.

The boys were down by 3 goals at the main break and the third quarter maintained this physicality. Skaz man down back was outstanding and Ado was his usual courageous self. As we came into the final break, still 3 goals down, we implored the boys to give it one final push to keep the dynasty alive. A couple of goals in row brought the margin back to 3 points, with Pat Don and Con the new dangerous combo. Yet it was the experience of the TAs boys and an unbelievable goal that got them over the line in the end.

This game was a microcosm (a word used post-game by one coach) of this entire season. Playing from behind the 8 ball, but continuously fought their hearts out. It was honestly one of the gutsiest performances I have seen from a Pirates group in all the years I have been involved. It was a performance of great character, with the veterans of the group like Pat Don, Diamo, Demon all just willing themselves in the contest. Overall, the effort of the group cannot be faulted and the boys can hold their heads up all things considered.

Before I pass on my final words for the campaign a few acknowledgements. Firstly, to the gents in the leadership group – Bailsy, Diamo, Con and Skaz. The group could not have asked for better leaders, each of these boys have shown so much commitment to the cause for several years now, and I can honestly say the group is so much better for having them around.

Secondly, to LP who came on later in the season. His work with strategy and game day assistance is greatly appreciated by both Driz and I. Hopefully, after a couple years away from the club this will see him stick around more – it’s a better place when good people involved.

Thirdly, to the great Luke Driscoll. Driz has been a constant source of assistance and mateship in a difficult campaign. He has been an amazing person to bounce ideas off, and whilst his football knowledge is far greater than mine will ever be, it’s his ability to build a culture that I think is his greatest attribute. Driz, thank you for coming back into the fold and once again I hope you’re inclined to stick around the club.

Finally, to the remainder of the club and specifically the UFC Committee. The club is in an excellent position, 8 out of 9 teams making finals (Dingoes being robbed of a spot) is indicative of the clubs strength. The women’s teams continue to grow and the colts program is thriving. I can honestly say it’s as an exciting time to be part of this football club as it ever has been. Jaws and Nova, you deserve a lot of credit for that, so congratulations.

In any case though, to the loyal readers who have powered through this essay, thank you for the opportunity to coach at the best football club in the world, it is an absolute privilege. The men that have helped build the 2021 Pirates should be recognised just as highly as the 4 groups that preceded them – not because they helped lift the Pirates to another flag, but because this was the year that the group solidified the fabric of lower grade football at the UFC.

See you in 2022.

COYP

Brett Jones Colts C-Gulls (Semi Final)

University 8.5 53 def Trinity Aquinas 4.5 29

Subi Hotel E1-Grade Mutts (Semi Final)

University 5.8 38 def by Wembley 8.7 55

Steinepreis C4-Grade Women Peacocks (Preliminary Final)

University 1.1 7 def by West Coast 4.0 24

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