Saturday May 29
Highgate Recreational Reserve
Northern Knights vs Greater Western Sydney
This week saw Greater Western Sydney down in Melbourne up against the highly favoured Northern Knights. With the game starting off in wet conditions the GWS boys shot out of the block with a fantastic and aggressive start. With great flow of the football, GWS were looking dangerous against a very strong Knights side. Josh Bruce showed strong presence up front while Bayanda Sobetwa gave the boys plenty of run out of half back. After consistent pressure from the Knights quarter time saw GWS only one goal down and looking solid. Head Coach Alan, McConnell labeling the boys attack on the ball as very strong.
The second quarter kicked off with more pressure from Team GWS as they looked to go on with their great form in the first quarter. However a slight 10 minute lapse in intensity saw the Knights extend their lead at the start of the second term.
The GWS boys needed to lift, and they did with four key goals led by their three fifteen year olds Stuart Turner, Jed Anderson and Jackson Dwyer, who McConnell labeled a "promising live small forward", and showed that they are more than capable of mixing it with boys three years their senior.
Half time saw GWS trailing the knights by four goals in what McConnell described as a "Good first half, which was highlighted by the boys getting back in there to stem the flow.
The Knights came out very aggressive and focused after half time. Team GWS created enough chances with Cameron Bernasconi coming into the game linking up well with Blake Bray up forward, however, GWS missed chances in front of goals and were not being able to impact the scoreboard, kicking just the one goal to the Knights’ six.
McConnell labeled the stoppages as key issues as well as an overall inconsistent approach which let the boys down.
GWS came out strong in the final term, McConnell highlighting the tackling being its best all season. A couple of quick goals to the Knights saw a lift in their momentum and GWS struggled to maintain the pressure. Jordan Stenmark showed some presence in the ruck on debut as well as Bayanda Sobetwa consolidating his use of the footy in a best on ground performance, however the Knights ran away with it, kicking six goals to two in the final term to down Team GWS going by 81 points.
Next week Team GWS will line up against the Stingrays, another high class team in the competition. It’s sure to be a blockbuster weekend of footy at Blacktown Olympic Park with the national championships taking place as well.
With McConnell set to lose at least five of his players to the national champs GWS will look to play another four or five new players in what has a strong player list showing plenty of depth for the future.
Northern Knights 23.9.147
Team GWS 10.6.66
Goals: B. Bray 3, S. Turner 2, A. Flagg, J. Brain, J. Bruce, J. Dwyer, D. Williams
Best: B. Sobetwa, C. Bernasconi, D. Cooper, J. Anderson, J. Mahony, J. Dwyer
