06/07/09

 The Under 18's had a big win over an undermanned Western Suburbs outfit. It was a strange sight to see 6 and 7 players on the bench at times but the coaching staff rotated the players well so that everybody received plenty of game time. Beau Black made an impressive debut and we hope to see more of him over the rest of the year as his commitments on the South Coast allow. The victory made it 5 wins in a row for the young Lions, but the next 6 weeks will tell us plenty about their finals prospects, as they face the other 4 teams in the top 5 starting with leaders North Shore.

The Reserves were desperate to record a victory over a Wests side who'd been in good form of late. Comeback kid Fred David kicked a couple of early goals and the signs were promising. However Wests had plenty riding on the result and were soon right back in the contest. Despite holding small leads at both half and three quarter time it was Wests who looked like victors for most of the final term until a goalsquare mark and goal from Brad Ainsworth in the final minute ensured a draw. A win would have been better, but it was a very important result nonetheless in the context of the Div.1 boys season.

 The Seniors were out to prove they'd made consistent improvement since a Rd.1 mauling at the hands of Western Suburbs. A 4 goal to nil opening quarter certainly made a statement. Wests had whittled the margin back to 12 points by half-time, but the home side were still playing well. The 3rd quarter saw a complete form reversal as the Magpies booted 4.4 to nil, took a 16 point lead into the last change and looked like going on with the job. Not to be denied, the Lions booted another 4 goals without a blemish, and lead by a goal late in the game. The Magpies levelled and only frantic Lions defence in the final minute earned a draw. It was another performance from which the boys can draw confidence, as we tackle a Bombers side who were too good for us earlier in the season.

Silvana Patterson of Wollongong is this weeks AFL Sydney Volunteer of the Week.

Silvana is one of those special volunteers who has endless energy coupled with a commitment to help out wherever she can which helps to make clubs like ours function and survive.

She is a tireless volunteer cooking “goodies” for game day, assisting in the canteen from the preparation early in the mornings right through and is still there at the end of the day tidying up the place.

In a previous week she also extended her “shift” to include assisting at one of the club functions into to the very early hours of the morning.

Additionally, she is a positive and enthusiastic supporter who routinely travels to the away games as well.

Silvana, with husband Peter are also excellent volunteer role models including for playing son’s Adam and Brad, who are also very active volunteers within the club.

The Under 18's continued on their winning ways but again were forced to work very hard for victory. The Docker side out enthused us in the 1st half and took a narrow, but much deserved lead into the main break. A different Lions side emerged after half-time, as if sensing the urgency of the situation. Now first in for the ball, using the first option more often than not, and moving the ball quickly into the forward line the boys slowly got on top, then powered away in the final term. Sluggish starts in recent weeks have been a concern and we need to be on top of our game from the outset against Western Suburbs today.

The Reserves were trounced by runaway league leaders UTS on Saturday, and need a huge lift to be competitive with the Magpies today. The boys fought hard in the opening term, but from then on the Bats dominated proceedings, keeping the Lions goalless in the 2nd and 3rd terms, before a late rally added some respectability to the scoreline. It's a big few weeks for the side and it starts with a good week on the training track and a committed performance today.

 

The Seniors got back on the winners list with a hard-fought 14 point win over the Dockers. Drummoyne Oval has not been a happy hunting ground for the Lions since our elevation to the Premier Division, but the players were determined to bury that hoodoo from the outset. Somewhat wasteful in front of goal early we trailed narrowly at quarter time, but the Dockers turned it on late in the 2nd term and the Lions trailed by 3 goals at half-time and looked in trouble. The group was asked to lift and delivered in the 2nd half. A more desperate team emerged and took control of the mid-field, which in turn put the Docker defence under pressure on the small Drummoyne Oval. In the end the boys delivered a great come from behind victory.