Week 6 Update

SO CLOSE YET SO FAR

The A colts started the day in spectacular fashion by clawing back from a four goal deficit with 10 minutes remaining to play to record a fighting one point victory over arch rival North Fremantle. This game set the tone for the remainder of the day with the A reserves losing a close one by 2 points and the A grade going down by 17 points. The A reserves had various chances to seal the game however were unable to capitalize. A similar story in the A grade where they relinquished a handy half time lead after some very promising play. The thirds poor start to the season continued with another loss to Hamersley Carine while the Dingoes continued on their merry way with another strong outing. The c-colts had the bye. For full match reports see below.

A Grade 9.13 - 67 lost to North Freo 12.12 - 84

A Res 5.8 - 38 lost to North Freo 4.16 - 40

A Colts 11.12 - 78 def North Freo 12.5 - 77

Thirds 5.4 - 34 lost to Hamersley Carine - 15.12 - 102

Dingoes 12.18 - 90 def Hamersley Carine - 3.5 - 23

C colts - bye

4 of the 6 sides remain in the top five - A grade 4^th, A colts 4^th, Dingoes 1^st and C colts 3^rd.

FAMILY DAY 23 MAY

This week sees the club host our first family day with various supervised kids activities and an Auskick game from 2 - 2.30 prior to the all important A grade game against the much improved West Coast Cowan. A must win game with only percentage separating both sides which will see the winner remain in the final five. The improved recent performances of the A reserves will be tested against a strong West Coast Cowan and the A colts will be out to continue their current form and consolidate a position in the top 3. The thirds, Dingoes and c-colts all travel to Whitfords, it is a must win game for the thirds to remain in contact with the finals, while the Dingoes will look to maintain top spot and the c-colts are looking to continue their early season form.

If you wish to participate in the Auskick day please e-mail Sam Alexeeff before COB Thursday. alexeeff@cyllene.uwa.edu.au

4 PLAYERS MAKE STATE UNDER 23 SIDE

I am pleased to report that 4 members of the University Football Club Simon Jones, Matthew Breen, James Grabski and Brad Mumford represented the WAAFL under 23 side against the Country side last Friday in the build up to the game against the Victorian Amateurs on June 6^th at Fremantle Oval. Congratulations to all and good luck with the up coming program.

PAST PLAYERS COCKTAIL PARTY - JUNE 20^th

Just a reminder to keep Saturday June 20^th free for the past players cocktail party more details to follow shortly.

A GRADE

Uni went into this weekends clash full of confidence and with plenty to play for. Not only were we coming off two solid wins but it was also club legend, Peter Tolls 200th game for the club.

Having not beaten North Freo in A-grade for a number of years, the boys were confident they could change that stat on the weekend. After starting the game brightly, the first quarter ended up fairly even with both teams pressuring the ball carrier with some impressive tackling. In the second quarter, Uni were on top for the majority however couldn't capitalise on their dominance, going in at half time only one goal up. North Freo were consistently dropping numbers back into our forward line making it hard to penetrate past half- forward.

The third quarter was again an arm wrestle however North Freo crept ahead by three goals at the final change. The last quarter was a very low scoring affair with North again throwing numbers behind the ball, clogging up Uni's forward line very effectively.

In the end Uni went down by 2 and a half goals. Good players on the day were the half back line of Mumf, Stewy and Beardy who battled manfully all day as well as Breeny who continues his great start to the year and Wiesey who has injected plenty of vigour into the side since his return two weeks ago. The team were very disappointed after the game, not only because they let a great opportunity to knock off North Freo slip but also because we couldn't win for Tolly. Playing 200 games for Uni is a pretty rare occurrence, but for Tolly to play his 200th game still in the A-Grade side just shows his durability and versatility as a player. Congratulations Tolly.

The month ahead is crucial for Uni as we play teams either level or below us on the ladder and need to start stringing some wins together.

A RES
In a big week for the A-Res we couldn't get over the line in a tough battle and eventually went down by only 2 points. With North Freo having 10 shots on goal in the first quarter we were a bit lucky to be only trailing by 2 goals at quarter time but just couldn't close to the gap until the last quarter when the guys had a real crack for skipper Yards 100th game. Another 5 minutes may of seen a different result but well done to Yards on a typically solid 100th game, Burna for 3 goals and a welcome return by Mitch Ippson.

A COLTS

The rivalry in colts between these two clubs is always strong due to the strong performances of both teams over the last 4 years. The games are always hard fought irrespective of ladder position. The game marked the re-appearance of colt's coaching legend Greg Shine who sponsored the boys for the day. The game started with each team kicking 4 goals in what was an entertaining opening quarter. However North Freo responded better in the second quarter opening up a 2 goal lead at half time.

Uni however fought back in the third quarter but could not put the dominance of play onto the scoreboard and still trailed by 2 goals leading into the last change. After 10 minutes of good contested footy North Freo looked to have had the game won (taking both key forwards off and coaches and co looking very smug on the bench) with a lead of 4 goals with about 10 minutes to play. However Uni finally put their good play onto the scoreboard kicking 4 goals and Sarge kicking the all important point (part of a 7 point play) from 10 meters out directly in front to snatch the game. Most promising was the fact the boys managed to run down the clock in the dying stages, something we couldn't do against North Beach.

Best Players Were: Dacry Thompson who received the Greg Shine memorial

6 votes, Rory "rocket' Avis-Foster, Tom ?cloone dog' Knight, James Smart, Blair Humphries, Stu McGukin and Damien Verazzi.

THIRDS

The 3rds took on Hamersley Carine in a game we had to win to stay in touch with the top sides. However, in what has become typical of the 3s this year, we failed to switch on from the first bounce and were punished for lazy and unaccountable football and went into the first break 5 goals to nil done. The second quarter proved when we want to do we can match it with any side. We dominated the quarter but again failed to put it on the scoreboard.

The third quarter was the same as the second with long periods dominated by Uni. Despite this dominance we were only able to kick two goals for the quarter. The last quarter was probably the worse for the year with the margin blowing out to 11 goals. Another very disappointing display by the 3s, who now sit at 1-4. Better players for the day were Harry Seaward, Rob Wylie, Walks, Kane Moyle and Hahny.

DINGOES

This week the Dingoes trekked out to Hamersley Carine, to play on the aptly named "Carine Open Space". Hamersley Carine are new in the E Reserve competition this season, so were somewhat an unknown opposition. The first quarter proved to be the teams best for the day, pilling on 5 goals whilst holding the opposition scoreless, with the UFC kicking into a slight breeze. Linga started on fire across the half back line, and the midfield was well on top creating real havoc across the ground. From there however the standard of the game dropped significantly, with the Dingoes missing a real opportunity to fine tune their game plan in the lead up to games against some more formidable opponents.

The indirect and stop start ball movement of the last three quarters showed on the scoreboard as the dingoes kicked 7 14 to Hamersley Carine 5.2 after ¼ time. The final scores was the UFC 12 17 89 to Hamersley Carine 3 5 23. Despite the one sided scoreboard the Dingoes left the ground realising they need to play a better brand of football if they wish to succeed in September this year. Better players on the day were Swannee out of the midfield, Dave Travaskis down forward who kicked 4 goals, Stralow in the ruck and philthy phil off the half back line. Plenty for the Dingoes to work on, starting this week with a massive family day bus trip to Whitfords.