Round 5 of the season kicked off a beautiful day at UWA Sports Park with a mouth watering double header on the menu for Uni fans. Chris Ninkov was seen asking each player desperately to find him a cloud but to no avail as blue skies overlooked the lush ovals.
The Showtime A-Colts continued their dream run with another convincing win over Kingsway as the C-Gulls road-tripped up the freeway to tick off another win, this time against Quinns Rocks.
The Reserves once again missing valiant leader, this time out through Wine-Tour Protocols, bounced back with a confidence building win – capped off by a spunky effort by returning club-favourite Jarryd McPhee. After a big week on the track, the A-grade were unable to add to their two wins for the year, falling agonisingly short against the reigning premiers.
Across the park at MCG2, the Pirates & Dingoes ticked off wins against Osborne Park with Erk-Dog’s self-proclaimed best on ground performance providing plenty conversation filler over a few beers. The Dingoes will welcome back reigning best and fairest Blake ‘Buckets’ Barrow next week after a break through Health & Safety Protocols.
After three weeks off, the Peacocks were finally back on the park which was great to see. Unfortunately they were beaten by a strong Coolbinia side but will look to bounce back next week when they host Curtin-Wesley. The Stormers added another win to the tally, with a strong return against Coolbellup.
Next week the Uni Footy Club will be hosting the inaugural Neil Donaldson Memorial Round, a momentous occasion, celebrating the life of a club legend. All teams will be wearing black arm-bands and the Stormers will be hosting North Beach in the 2022 seasons first night game. We invite all to join us in celebrating the inaugural Neil Donaldson Memorial Round. Post game celebrations include a raffle with all proceeds going towards our new club redevelopment, live music, a sausage sizzle and can bar.
Steinepreis Paganin A-Grade
University 11.5 71 def by Kingsway 11.12 78
The Uni A Grade took on the reigning premiers Kingsway at a perfect McGillivray setting. Similar to last week Uni jumped out of the blocks early playing some great footy however what followed after quarter time was really disappointing. Uni were outworked around the ground and exposed for defensive run. Leigh Kohlmann, Quinn Donaldson and Henrick Alforque were strong contributors whilst Nath Stewart, Jye Harris and Tim O’Hara fought hard all day. The side will need to regroup and prepare themselves during the week for a big contest vs Scarborough at Millington reserve.
4 Pines A-Reserves
University 17. 8 110 def Kingsway 6.4 40
The Reserves have rebounded with a strong 70-point victory at MCG 1 on Saturday afternoon. Coming into the contest the reserves had been a bit out of touch dropping 3 in a row, losing in agonisingly close fashion against TAs last week.
The team had a raft of inclusions most notably being Jarryd McPhee playing his first game for Uni in about 4 years, with other guys like the Macedonian Marvel and Winners also coming into the side.
Pre-game the message from the coaches was to avoid complacency and take the opportunity to play ourselves into some form. We were able to avoid this complacency almost immediately with a 3-goal burst stamping our authority on the game – Jarryd kicking 2 almost straight away. The boys got right around Jizza who just picked up right where he left off. Also of note from the first quarter was Willo’s strong in and under work and Winners having the ball on a string accumulating 13 touches and displaying pace and skill unmatched at this level. Kingsway kicked a couple late, but it was Uni carrying a 2-goal lead at quarter time.
The second quarter was another strong display by the men in green, with Hoppo starting to run the Kingsway ruckman into the ground and Dur finding his way to the footy. Fleabag also staked his claim for goal of the year early with a diving smother in the forward pocket, the gather and the finish. Whilst he didn’t brag about it, the rest of the ground and those on the bench were left in shock. Jarryd continued by adding another couple as we took a 40-point lead into halftime.
The message at half time was quite simple, finish well and play the 4 quarters out. To Kingsway’s credit they made it harder for us in the second half overall, but we were still able to add another seven goals.
Jarryd kicked another 3 making a total of 7 for his return, Waddles kicked a couple (and playing down back in the last quarter, becoming “Adam Hunter” in his own words), Cruddy rotating between the mids and forward and looking comfortable in the process and Joey and Rana brining that pressure all day.
Overall, it was a very good win to get off the back of last week. We played some good passages at times and the obvious inclusion of Jarryd changed the look of our forward line.
Hopefully we can carry on this form as we play Scarborough next week who are proving to be an early standout side. If we can bring the skill we displayed at different stages throughout this game, I am sure we will put ourselves in a position to win.
Votes: Jarryd (5); Hoppo (4); Crud & Dur (3); Winners, Rana & Joe (2); Josh, Willo & Flea (1)
Goals: Jarryd (7); Waddles, Dur and Crud (2); Flea, Josh, Willo and Joe (1)
Phil Scott Colts
University 15.14 103 def Kingsway 3.3 21
Brewhub C4-Grade Pirates
University 13.14 92 def Osborne Park 6.6 42
BDO C4-Reserves Dingoes
University 18.10 118 def Osborne Park 2.1 13
There was a lot of unknowns heading into the clash against the new opponent in Osborne Park Footy club. Will A.S. And Benny be robbed of their debuts again? Will the Dingos be able to keep their flawless start to the season going?
Fortunately all of these were achieved, with the boys taking a leaf out of Freo’s notebook and coming out as 105 point victors. A.S. And Benny had fantastic debuts, with Jerk having a dominant best on ground performance, and Erk Dog kicking a lazy 4 goals for his first game of the season. A really well rounded performance for the Dingoes, which has them sitting comfortably in the top two after 5 rounds of footy
Brett Jones Colts
Bye
Subi Hotel Laurie Keene Colts C-Gulls
University 10.11 71 def Quinns Rocks 8.5 53
The Gull Bus headed up the Mitchell to take on Quinns Rock in what promised to be our biggest challenge for the year. From the first bounce the undefeated Bulls were tough and skilful but in response Uni’s tackling pressure lifted to the best it’s been all season. Gulls debutant Flynn Halliday was locked in and gave our mids first use, with Ric and Mewo displaying their explosiveness out of the stoppage.
Quinns transitioned the ball through the middle of the ground skilfully and often looked dangerous. Thankfully, the whole backline was sensational, saving our skins and only giving up 5 scoring shots for the half. The key defensive twin towers of Kirky and Rohrzy were dominant in the air and mercurial in kick starting our ball movement. This left a 7-point lead for the Gulls at the half, with some inaccurate kicking preventing the margin being greater.
We came out hot from the break, with Broags and Yom leading up well as they did all day. Bray, Dez and Heav continued their clinical goal kicking form, each slotting third quarter snags. In the back half of the quarter however, it was the hard running Bulls who took ascendency. Again, the backline oozed with ticker, dominating their one on ones to help hold the Gull’s 6-point lead. The last quarter proved firey and competitive, with Uni again bursting out of the blocks. Mewo was shrugging tackles left right and centre and getting involved in everything going forward. Wheato’s effort for the day was exemplified with his crucial goal that came after a triple tackle effort. Dez cooly slotted the sealer, and the Gulls took home a very good 19-point win.
With Brentwood Booragoon next week and 3 games in a row at the home nest, look hungry to keep surging up the Laurie Keene ladder.
Saturn Player’s Player – Flynn
Best – Mewo, Broags, Flynn, Rohrzy, Bray, Heav, Wheat, Conk, Barbs
Goals – Bray 4, Heav 3, Dez 2, Wheat
Crossing Law A-Grade Women Stormers
University 8.13 61 defeated by Coolbellup 5.0 30
Steinepreis Paganin C4-Grade Women Peacocks
University 0.0 0 defeated by Coolbinia 7.16 58