Tasmanian University Football Club - Supporters Group - Game Preview and Review

Game Previews and Reviews by Michael Munday, Secretary OSFA

 

 Preliminary Finals - 16/09/2006
Review

Preview
Preview of preliminary final on Saturday 16^th September 2006.

The preliminary final in the Old Scholars Football Association to be played at Queenborough sees DOSA and University clash with the winner earning a berth in the grand final against Hutchins.

DOSA lost heavily in the second semi final last week but they have enjoyed a successful season and are a good team who will fight back with another shot at Hutchins their objective while University have not contested a Senior grand final since 1993 so the incentive is there for them to win.

DOSA have injury woes but should still field a strong team with coach Darren McConnon returning to boost their onball brigade where Nathan Abrahams, Luke Golding and Jason Coad along with midfielders Nick Benson, Joel Nielson and Mark McConnon have been prominent and although Brendan Rogers is an unlikely starter at full forward Peter Jelkic could line up there with support from the versatile Kim Harvey across half forward and Michael Robinson. DOSA’s defence worked overtime last week with Brendan Loveless, Aaron Davey and Tim Golding shining lights but they will need to be at their peak to combat University’s Cameron Burgess, Charles Jones, Chris Hess and Travis Little while the key for victory for University lies in their midfield and if Nicko Aird, Paul Brooks and Chris Carins are given too much latitude they will create havoc for DOSA while Michael Gowans and Craig Haremza lead a solid onball outfit and Dean Willcock, Shaun Suitor and Sam Maguire lead a stubborn defence.

 In the Reserves preliminary final University and DOSA meet again with the winner also to play Hutchins.

 The Association Best & Fairest Seniors award winner was Adam Palfreyman from Hutchins who also won the goalkicking award kicking 100 goals while in the Reserves Best & Fairest it was a tie between Matthew Ferguson of St.Virgils and Alistair Scanlon of Richmond and the Reserves goalkicking award was won by Simon Harris who kicked 66 goals.

Semi Finals - 09/09/2006
Review
Winners in the semi finals played on the 9^th September 2006 were Hutchins and University.

Hutchins advanced to the grand final in the Old Scholars Football Association after thrashing DOSA at Richmond.

In a scintillating display of team football Hutchins dominated all over the ground while twelve players kicked goals and although DOSA matched them in the first quarter when only 4 points separated the teams at the break the floodgates opened after that with Hutchins kicking 8 goals to nil in the second quarter to lead by 47 points at half time. Hutchins continued to dictate terms in the third quarter adding a further 8 goals while DOSA could not buy a goal and stretch their lead to 96 points at three quarter time. The final quarter was another goal fest for Hutchins as they piled on 9 more majors and even though DOSA did manage to kick 3 goals Hutchins proved far too strong running out 131 point winners. In a team performance by Hutchins Sam Palfreyman, Matthew Drury, Michael Egan and Josh Tyrell racked up countless possessions and with Richard Wilkinson and Richard Palfreyman were stand out players while none tried harder for DOSA than defenders Tim Golding, Brendan Loveless and Aaron Davey, onballer Nathan Abrahams and forward Kim Harvey.

 University will meet DOSA in the preliminary final after holding off OHA in the first semi final played under lights at Richmond. In a low scoring encounter University had the edge throughout the game leading by 2 goals at quarter time which they increased to 21 points art half time which was to be the biggest margin for the game. OHA fought back in the third quarter to whittle the margin down to 11 points entering the final quarter which proved to be a dogged affair with University prevailing by 16 points at the final siren. Defenders Dean Willcock and Shaun Suitor with midfielders Nicko Aird and Paul Brooks and onballers Sam Maguire and Will Owens were best for University while Matt McDermott finished the season with a fine display at centre half back for OHA with support from midfielder Warwick Dawson, onballers Mark Monks and James Tierney, Brad Marsland worked hard up forward and Ross Blaikie stood tall at full back. 

 In the Reserves Hutchins advanced to the grand final after easily defeating University and DOSA won narrowly from Richmond in the first semi final.

Preview
Preview of semi finals Saturday 9^th September 2006.

Its semi final action this Saturday in the Old Scholars Football Association with a gala day being held at Richmond where all Senior and Reserves games will be played throughout the day.

In the second semi final Hutchins take on DOSA in what should be a high class encounter as both teams have had considerable success during the season. Hutchins have enjoyed their best season for some time displaying team football of a high degree with the arrival of Matthew Drury and the return of Adam Doran, Kent Steele and Hugh Griggs plus the younger playing group showing maturity beyond their years which puts them in good stead for the finals. DOSA began slowly but hit their straps after that and put in some top performances during the season to finish in second spot. There will be several highlights none more so than the clash between Hutchins Adam Palfreyman at full forward opposed to Scott Hartill who has been a rock of Gibraltar at full back for DOSA, onballers Matthew Drury and Kent Steele against Nathan Abrahams and Jason Coad while Hutchins midfielders in Tim Johns, Michael Egan and Josh Tyrell along with forwards Josh Bean and Matthew Lister and an attacking defence led by Richard Palfreyman, Hugh Griggs and Marcus Windsor have been consistent. DOSA have been receiving drive from Jason Green, Luke Golding, Nick Benson and Mark McConnon while Brendan Rogers, Kim Harvey, Peter Jelkic and Michael Robinson are creative forwards who can be damaging if given too much latitude.  

 University meet OHA in the first semi final under lights with the winner advancing to the preliminary final. In their clash last week OHA won comfortably so University need to regroup and play to their full potential if they hope to progress any further but they have an even combination blended with players who can have an impact in forward Cameron Burgess, midfielders Nicko Aird, Paul Brooks and Chris Carins and onballers Michael Gowans and Craig Haremza while their defence works hard and Travis Little, Chris Hess and Mal Reeve are capable goalkickers. OHA have been in great form of late and will be hoping to repeat last weeks effort and with strengths on every line with key forwards Tim Scott and Steven Byers, defender Matt McDermott, forward Dan Ryan and runners Warwick Dawson, Brett Mitchell and Richard Wilson leading the way.

 In the Reserves University play Hutchins in the second semi final and DOSA meet Richmond in the first semi final.

The day gets under way with the Reserves first semi final commencing at 10.15 a.m. with the last game commencing at 6.00 p.m.

Round 14 - 03/09/2006
Review
 

OHA, St.Virgils and Hutchins were winners in the Old Scholars Football Association.

 OHA will contest next weeks first semi final in the Old Scholars Football Association when they edged out St.Virgils by percentage after thrashing University at University.

The first quarter saw both teams create several scoring chances and OHA held a 4 point lead at the break but from then on it was all OHA and with their accuracy on goal a feature they outplayed the home team in a preview of next weeks first semi final. OHA had control of the game at half time after kicking 8 goals to 3 and lead University by 44 points and they continued their good work in the second half adding another 11 goals while University to 4 goals and run out convincing 72 point winners. Best for PHA were defender Matt McDermott, midfielders Warwick Dawson and Brett Mitchell, onballers Matthew Phillips and Mark Monks with forwards Tim Scott and Brad Marsland while David Whishaw, Lachlan Allison, Michael Gowans, Nicko Aird, Dean Willcock and Morgan Maguire stood out for University.

 St.Virgils missed out on finals action but ended their season in fine style by upsetting DOSA in their clash at New Town. In a high scoring first quarter DOSA’s accuracy enabled them to lead by 27 points at the break but St.Virgils dictated terms in the second quarter by piling on 8 goals to 2 and lead DOSA by 15 points at half time. Both teams broke even in the third quarter with St.Virgils holding sway by 14 points entering the final quarter and they had all the answers kicking 5 goals to 2 by DOSA and win by 35 points. Onballers Scott Pretyman, Shaun Satori, Matthew Cracknell and Jarrod Free and defenders Ashley Rhodes and Murray Wise were best for St.Virgils with Jeremy Parker a livewire up forward with 7 goals while DOSA had triers in Matthew McCallum, Nick Benson and Damon Marsh.

 Hutchins finished the season as minor premiers after scoring a decisive victory over Richmond at Queenborough.

Hutchins set the scene in the first quarter and led by 25 points at the break but Richmond were not to be denied and they fought back in the second quarter to reduce the margin to 19 points at half time. The second half belonged to Hutchins as they added 7 goals to 1 in the third quarter and a further 9 goals to 3 by Richmond in the final quarter and win by 97 points. Matthew Drury was a star for Hutchins while ruckman Michael Pollard continued his startling form, Adam Palfreyman with 8 goals was a focal point at full forward and James Tyrell, Tim Johns and Matthew Egan lent support while Chris Ross capped off a consistent season to be best for Richmond and Adam daft, Martyn Sward, Nathan Williams, Jarrod Horne and Walter Dowling battled hard.      

Preview

With both teams level on points and only percentage separating them can OHA hang onto fourth position or will St.Virgils grab their spot.

These questions will be answered in the final roster games in the Old Scholars Football Association when University hosts OHA and St.Virgils clash with DOSA. In the other game Hutchins play Richmond. 

The clash at University between the home team and OHA should be a great contest from the first bounce as University need a win to give them confidence going into the first semi final especially after losing their last two games and they will need their midfield and onballers in Paul Brooks, Craig Haremza, Gavin Shaw, Michael Gowans and Chris Carins to supply plenty of opportunities for their led by forwards Cameron Burgess, Charles Jones, Chris Hess and Travis Little while key defenders Greg Farmilo and Sam Bouwman will need to play a close checking game. With the knowledge a semi final berth is at stake OHA will give their all with the bonus of having back star forward Brad Marsland who was in superb touch until hurt plus tall marking key forwards Tim Scott and Steven Byers and they will create problems for University’s defence while onballers Richard Wilson, Brendan Bateman, Mark Monks and Michael Bannister, midfielders Warwick Dawson and Brett Mitchell with defenders Matt McDermott, Brendan Hutt, Ross Blaikie and Martyn Kroon are in form.

The clash at New Town should see another great game as St.Virgils must win if they are to play finals football while DOSA will use the game for fine tuning for their up coming second semi final. St.Virgils form over the past two weeks has been good and the return of several experienced players has enabled them to play to the potential they are renowned for while Matthew Cracknell, Shaun Satori, Damian Hill and Jarrod Free have been consistent throughout the season and with a creative forward line led by Brad Hastie, Nick O’Reilly, Jeremy Parker and Conan Zeigeler, a solid defence and an experienced midfield they could surprise. DOSA have had a reasonable year and while they are minus several star players their replacements are doing well and Joel Neilson, Nick Benson, Darren and Mark McConnon, Jason Green, Luke Golding, Scott Hartill and Aaron Davey have been in form enabling plenty of chances for their forwards led by Michael Robinson, Kim Harvey and Brendan Rogers. Clashes between these teams are always of a high standard and this game should be no exception with the team that covers their missing players better winning out on the day.

Hutchins should prove too mobile for Richmond in their clash at Queenborough.

Hutchins have been in top form the last two months and with a strong onballers and midfielders led by Adam Doran, Matthew Egan, Kent Steele, Michael Pollard, Tom Fyshe and Sam Palfreyman they will provide forwards Adam Palfreyman, Josh Bean and Matthew Drury with plenty of chances to kick goals while Richard Palfreyman, Marcus Windsor and James Faulkner lead an attacking defence.

Richmond are undermanned due to injuries and players unavailable but led by Fabian Churchill, Cameron Johnson, Chris Ross, Tristan Martyn and Trent Moore they will give a good account of themselves.

Round 12 - 19/8/2006
Preview 12

University meet DOSA, Richmond host St.Virgils and OHA are home to Hutchins.

 The clash at University will be full of interest with the question being asked of how far University have progressed in the past two weeks and can they keep the momentum going when they clash with ladder leader DOSA. University have been in fine form with the move of Cameron Burgess from midfield to the forward line paying handsome dividends having kicked 13 goals in the last two games plus the steady form of onballer Chris Booth and ruckmen Chris Carins and Michael Gowans while Morgan Maguire, Sam Bouwman and Matt Gardner lead an attacking defence. DOSA could be strengthened with the return of rucks Jason Ratcliffe and Andrew Sherman which will ease the workload off Luke Golding and add extra height and if Luke Browning also returns his run out of defence and around the ground will strengthen an already strong on ball group led by Nathan Abrahams, Mark McConnon, Jason Green and Nick Benson.

Richmond host St.Virgils at Richmond in a crucial game for both teams as they are both vying for a spot in the finals but their but their chances are somewhat remote and a victory here will enhance their finals prospects. Richmond have not tasted success since mid July but the incentive is there and if they can produce the form they are capable of playing their hopes will stay alive especially with reliable Adam Daft, Chris Ross, Nathan Woolley, Cameron Johnson, Nathan Williams and Josh Woolley leading the way. St.Virgils have had a horror run since June with injuries and players unavailable but they are getting players back and if Nick O’Reilly, Brad Hastie and Matthew Parker can convert the chances given them by Matthew, Jarrod Free, Luke McGrath and Shaun Satori their season will still be alive.

 OHA face a tough assignment when they take on the in form Hutchins at Geilston Bay. OHA were gallant in defeat last week and a repeat of that form for four quarters will be required and defenders Matt McDermott, Dan Ryan, Warwick Dawson, Brendan Hutt with onballers Richard Wilson, Brett Mitchell and Luke Taylor to continue to produce their consistent form.

Hutchins more than not begin their games slowly but once they have settled down their fitness enables them to take control of games and they finish all over their opponents while boasting a formidable line up led by James Faulkner, Tom Fyshe, Matthew Lister, Kent Steele and Sam Palfreyman who link up well in supplying the dangerous Adam and Richard Palfreyman, Matthew Drury and Josh Bean to finish off the work up forward. 

Round 11 - 12/8/2006
Preview 11

With only four rounds remaining in the Old Scholars Football Association the battle for a semi finals spot continues when Richmond host University, Hutchins are home to St.Virgils and DOSA meet OHA.

A must win game is the challenge for Richmond in their quest to defend their title when they play a confident University at Richmond. Even though Richmond won the last time they met a four quarter effort is required if they are to throw out a challenge to the other teams but they are a proud combination led by a group of in form players in the diminutive Adam Daft who is consistent week in week out, the versatile Chris Ross and Nathan Woolley who can both play in defence or up forward, Nick Woolley in defence with Fabian Churchill and Cameron Johnson around the ground. University put it all together last week and look safe for their finals campaign and if they can continue to play that brand of football from here on in especially with the form being shown by Chris Carins in the ruck, forward Cameron Burgess, midfielder Nicko Aird, Matt Gardner and Sam Bouwman in defence with half forwards Travis Little and Gavin Shaw they will pose a threat to the other finalists.

 Hutchins should continue on their winning way when they play St.Virgils at Queenborough having lost only two of their last ten games they are taking all before them but will not want to take St.Virgils lightly. Hutchins has ruckman Michael Pollard dominating whether in the ruck or around the ground providing on ball drive from Kent Steele, Matthew Drury, Matthew Lister, Tom Fyshe and Matthew Egan which ensures plenty of opportunities for key forwards Adam and Richard Palfreyman backed up by a solid defence led by Hugh Griggs and James Faulkner across half back plus Marcus Windsor and Richard Wilkinson has been a winning formula but St.Virgils who have runners Matthew Cracknell, Jarrod Free, Damian Hill and Luke McGrath and defender Richard Oates playing well while the return of Nick O’Reilly and the addition of Brad Hastie strengthening their attack will push Hutchins all the way.

 The clash at Cadburys should be an interesting encounter as DOSA look to return to the winners list while OHA will be out to further consolidate their position in fourth spot. DOSA suffered a final quarter fade out last week but with Brendan Loveless, Kim Harvey, Nick Benson, Nathan Abrahams, Luke Golding and Mark McConnon leading the way they will make their presence felt.

OHA won a nail biting contest last week after loking beaten at three quarter time but they showed the game is never over until the final siren sounds and they will push DOSA to the limit with the knowledge of winning the last time the teams met while Brett Mitchell is having a great season around the packs and up forward with midfielder/defender Dan Ryan, onballers Mark Monks and Luke Taylor and Matt McDermott, Dale Potter and Brendan Hutt in defence in form. 

Review 11

DOSA, Hutchins and University were winners in Saturdays round in the Old Scholars Football Association.

 Ladder leader and premiership hopefuls DOSA received another scare when they were made to pull all stops out to defeat a plucky OHA at Cadburys.

OHA took the game up to DOSA from the opening bounce and led by 8 points at the first break and although DOSA frittered away scoring chances in the second quarter it was OHA’s accuracy that enabled them to hold a 4 point lead at half time with another upset looming. It took until midway through the third quarter before DOSA hit the front kicking 4 goals to 1 and enter the final quarter 17 points up which they increased to 22 points at the final siren but were made to work hard for their win. Paul Lennox in defence, forward Michael Robinson, onballers Peter Jelkic, Mark McConnon and Jason Green with ruckman Luke Golding were best for DOSA while defenders Brendan Hutt, Matt McDermott, Warwick Dawson and Dan Ryan with onballers Luke Taylor and Stuart James were shining lights for OHA who won many admirers for their display.

 Hutchins continued on their winning way after scoring a hard fought win over a gutsy St.Virgils at Queenborough.

St.Virgils had the better of the first quarter and led by 11 points at quarter time but Hutchins lifted the tempo in the second quarter kicking 7 goals to 3 and lead by 15 points at half time. Both teams peppered the goals in the third quarter with 12 goals kicked with Hutchins extending their lead to 27 points thanks to the brilliance of full forward Adam Palfreyman who finished with 9 goals while the accuracy at goal by Hutchins in the final quarter kicking 6 goals to St.Virgils’s 3 from eight scoring shots saw the home team win by 41 points. Other stars for Hutchins were Josh Bean up forward, onballers Matthew Egan Matthew Drury and Matthew Lister with Hayden Moore and Sam Palfreyman with onballers Matthew Parker, Jarrod Free, Matthew Cracknell and Luke McGrath, forward Conan Zeigeler and Shaun Satori who covered a lot of territory best for St.Virgils.

 A ten goal second quarter saw University prove too strong for Richmond at Richmond.

After an even first quarter University ran riot in the second quarter and at half time they led the home team by 44 points. Richmond refused to give in but they could not make inroads into University’s defence and while restricting University to 3 goals in the third quarter Richmond could only manage 2 themselves and trailed by 50 points at three quarter time. Richmond finally found space on their forward line for their forwards to run to and convert their chances and they outscored an inaccurate University in the final quarter but it was all too late with University comfortable 39 point winners. Charles Jones was a livewire on the forward line for University supported by ruckman Michael Gowans, onballers Will Owen and Chris Booth, defender Morgan Maguire and the wily Cameron Burgess up forward while for Richmond the consistent Adam Daft, Chris Ross, Cameron Johnson and Nathan Woolley provided constant drive along with Simon Banks and Walter Dowling.    

 Round 10 - 5/8/2006
Preview 10

The battle for third and fourth finals spots is hotting up in the Old Scholars Football Association with Saturdays round full of interest when Hutchins meet DOSA, Richmond play OHA and University host St.Virgils.

The clash of the round should be witnessed at Queenborough when second placed Hutchins meets ladder leader DOSA. Only one game plus percentage separates the teams and whilst DOSA were victors last time they met Hutchins form since then has been very consistent generated by the form of Matthew Drury, Adam Doran, Matthew Lister, Tim Johns and Kent Steele around the ground while clashes between key position players from both teams will be a highlight none more so than Hutchins Adam Palfreyman at full forward opposed to DOSA’s Scott Hartill while at the other end Hutchins Marcus Windsor should line up against Brendan Rogers. Although Hutchins runners have been in form the likes of Nathan Abrahams, Darren and Mark McConnon and Peter Jelkic if given any latitude create havoc for DOSA with the scene set for a thrilling encounter.

 Richmond and OHA clash at Richmond under lights with victory crucial to either team in their pursuit of a finals spot. Richmond lost heavily last week but their previous form has been reasonable given their bad luck with injuries with onballers Adam Daft and Cameron Johnson supported by Nathan Woolley and Chris Ross whether in defence or plugging a gap around the ground, Nick Woolley and Trent Moore in form.

OHA are struggling with numerous players missing through injury or unavailable and have not tasted victory for a month but with only a small percentage keeping them in fourth spot and Matt McDermott, James Tierney, Dale Potter, Mark Monks, Dan Ryan, Craig Unsworth and Brett Mitchell leading the way the incentive for OHA is there to win.

Another important clash takes place at University where the home team hosts St.Virgils. A win to University will help their chances of playing finals football but another loss will put added pressure on them to hold onto their position in the four with three other teams in OHA, St.Virgils and Richmond breathing down their neck.

University have the players to resurrect their mini slump in midfielders and onballers Nicko Aird, Cameron Burgess, Paul Brooks and Craig Haremza with defenders Sam Bouwman, Dean Willcock and Greg Farmilo but they will need a team effort for four quarters. St.Virgils welcomed back key players last week which gave them more avenues to goal and with Brad Hastie in form in front of goals, James Foster elusiveness across the forward line, Damian Hill and Matthew Cracknell giving plenty of drive and Shaun Satori and Ben Parremore leading the defence St.Virgils will make their presence felt.

Review 10

Winners in the Old Scholars Football Association played on Saturday 5^th August 2006 were Hutchins, University and OHA.

The clash at Queenborough between Hutchins and DOSA began in fine style with a goal kicking shoot out on the cards after twelve goals were kicked by both teams in the first quarter with Hutchins holding a 13 point lead at the break. Not to be outdone DOSA fought back in the second quarter kicking seven goals while restricting Hutchins to three and lead by 14 points at half time.  The goal kicking trend continued in the third quarter with Hutchins gaining the upper hand and reduce the margin to 1 point at three quarter time and the scene was set for a thrilling final quarter but Hutchins had other ideas and they slammed on nine goals to two by DOSA and win an entertaining clash by 43 points lifting them to equal top position on the ladder. Michael Pollard continued his fine form in the ruck and around the ground to be best for Hutchins with support from onballers Matthew Egan, Kent Steele, Matthew Lister and Matthew Drury while Richard and Adam Palfreyman with six and seven goals respectively finished off the work up forward while best for DOSA were forward Kim Harvey, defender Brendan Loveless, Jason Green across midfield and onballers Nick Benson, Luke Golding and Daniel Dwyer.

 University all but guaranteed themselves a finals spot when they proved too strong for an inaccurate St.Virgils at University.

After an even first quarter University held a 6 point lead which they increased to 14 points at half time after a 4 goals to 2 second quarter and following an even third quarter when both teams kicked the same score University’s lead remained at 14 points entering the final quarter but the floodgates opened for University as they piled on 13 goals and while St.Virgils had 11 scoring shots as well they could only manage 3 goals with University 69 point winners. David Welch, Matt Gardner, Sam Bouwman and Chris Booth won plenty of possessions for University with Cameron Burgess nine goals and Charles Jones seven amongst the goals while Nick O’Reilly, Jeremy Parker, Matthew Cracknell, Damian Hill, Richard Oates and Jarrod Free stood out for St.Virgils.

 OHA boosted their finals chances after storming home to defeat Richmond in their night game at Richmond.

OHA led by 6 points at quarter time but the home team took over in the second quarter kicking 3 goals to 1 by OHA and hold a 7 point break at half time. Richmond continued to show the way in the third quarter and they added a further 5 goals to 2 by OHA and hold a handy 28 point advantage at three quarter time but OHA refused to give in holding Richmond goalless in the final quarter while adding 4 goals and won a tight encounter by 3 points. Onballers Luke Taylor and Brett Mitchell and defenders Dale Potter, Matt McDermott, Dan Ryan and Brendan Hutt were best for OHA and Adam Daft, Nathan and Nick Woolley, Chris Ross, Tim Gibbs and Fabian Churchill played well for Richmond.