Phil Doyle
16th April 2002, 04:22
Sydney AFL Round 2
Match previews and Player profiles
Match Previews
Sydney Redbacks v Campbelltown Panthers
Sydney Cricket Ground, Saturday April 20
Playing at the Sydney Cricket Ground has proved to be something of a hoodoo for Campbelltown over the last few years, and Campbelltown coach Geoff Valentine understands why:
“We use the Australian cricket team’s rooms as changerooms and when you look up at the wall and see Waugh and Warnie the blokes end up practicing their run-ups rather than their kicking.”
Valentine will be concentrating on keeping his charges focussed on the job at hand against a Redbacks outfit that were far from disgraced against last years premiers, North Shore, in the opening round.
“It’s a week to week proposition and it’ll take until quarter time before things settle down.” Said Redbacks coach Brett Allison, who is hoping to get two or three Swans listed players that are coming back from injury to bolster his young side.
Valentine sees the Redbacks unknown quantity as an advantage, allowing the Panthers to focus on their own game rather than countering the opposition, but he won’t be taking them lightly:
“They’ve got enough quality players to do the job. They’ll win more than they lose this year. It’s a very even competition across the board this year, if you’re down for five minutes you’ll get beaten.”
Allison agrees that his charges will be competitive.
Last weeks star up forward for the Redbacks, Lewis Roberts-Thomson, may find himself in a different role this week.
“He’ll probably be on the backline or at Centre Half Back and as an on-baller.” Said Allison, who noted that the Swans needed to develop a tall backman with good skills.
Campbelltown also have a healthy regard for Roberts-Thomson along with Tom Hill as the players they’ll have to watch in the Redbacks’ side this week.
Coming off a hard fought win over the young East Coast Eagles side last weekend, the Panthers only have the six day turnaround before they run out onto the famous Bulli soil.
Wayne Heath rolled an ankle and Martin Rodoreda has a corked thigh from last weekend, amongst a list of half a dozen or so Campbelltown players that will be carrying niggling injuries from last weekend.
While Valentine believes the venue won’t be such a factor this time around – most of the players have some experience at the SCG now – the tighter dimensions of the ground, and the Redbacks fitness, may be harder to contain. The young side finished strongly last week and this experience against quality opposition will give them some much-needed confidence.
If the Redbacks can keep the classy Matthew Chilton quiet early on they may just have the legs to run the Panthers down.
Prediction: Redbacks by 12 points
UNSW – Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs v Balmain Tigers
Village Green, Sunday April 21
Troy Luff’s Tigers make their debut against the early pacesetter for 2002, the UNSW-Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs, in what is shaping as the match of the round this week.
According to Luff the Tigers are fresh and itching to start the season.
Despite losing several of their 2001 squad Balmain have recruited well. Apart from Luff, who comes complete with his own supporter base, the Tigers also have the VFL/AFL experience of Michael Sier. They have also picked up Joel Cooney from Queensland and handy Centre Half Forward Warren Cruse from the strong Melbourne suburban club, Lilydale.
Regardless of the break Luff believes the Tigers will be full of running. Balmain played an intra-club match on the weekend before last. The game was played over five quarters to extend the players and prepare them for the long haul ahead.
Luff says the Tigers are ‘pretty much injury free’ going into season 2002. In fact depth is so good at Balmain this year that he believes his toughest job is the good players he has to leave out of his senior side when he names his team each week.
Meanwhile the Bulldogs are backing up after a tough encounter at Gore Hill last Sunday that has left the club with at least one player out through concussion and others carrying niggling injuries.
“Balmain have a good side from what I’ve heard.” Said UNSW – Eastern Suburbs coach Tim Jones. “They’ll be going hard at the ball and hard at the man.”
Even though they registered a big win on the scoreboard last week Jones believes that the Bulldogs still need to work on a few things. With a lot of new faces in the team it is taking a little time for the side to get organised.
Balmain had a look at the Bulldogs last Sunday and Luff believes he has a game plan that can deal with the Bulldogs style of play.
“It’s going to be tough but I think we’re good enough.” Said the former Swan.
It will be a rugged introduction to Sydney football for the popular utility player. UNSW – Eastern Suburbs will be hard to contain on the smaller Village Green ground. They have some quality players – captain Jason McPherson lead from the front last week and was ably assisted by some skilful tall players forward. Even so, they struggled to put away a depleted Demons outfit.
At their first home game for the season Tim Jones will be expecting a stronger showing from his charges, but if they give the Tigers a sniff the Bulldogs might find themselves in trouble.
UNSW – Eastern Suburbs by 15 points
East Coast Eagles v Western Suburbs Magpies
Roger Sheeran Oval, Sunday April 21
The trip to Roger Sheeran Oval will give a good indicator as to how much the Western Suburbs Magpies have improved this year.
They came from behind last week against the Crows but may find the going a little harder against an East Coast Eagles outfit that showed a lot of fitness in a tough encounter with last year’s grand finalists in round one.
The match also sees the return of new Magpie Cameron French to face his old club for the first time.
“We might play Rodney Frost on him.” Said East Coast Eagles’ co-coach Andrew Baxter who, along with Gus Seebeck, will be employing a youth strategy this year – encouraging the development of the young talent at the Eagles.
Baxter drew a lot of positives out of his young side’s narrow loss last week.
“I’m reasonably confident. We played eleven under-23’s last week and there were great signs in the second quarter.
“We’ve got a young side and we’re keen to develop the young kids and aim to play some smarter footy.”
As well as the younger players the Eagles have also recruited Gavin Walsh from the strong Diamond Valley Football League on Melbourne’s northern outskirts and one of Western Australian amateur football’s top players, Rod Pash.
Western Suburbs coach Laine Spencer noticed a big difference during last weeks opening round, with the game being harder and faster than the pre-season games, and he has no qualms about the trip to Roger Sheeran Oval:
“The big ground helps our game plan, with a running midfield and two key forwards going one-on-one in the marking contests.
“After last week I’m very confident.”
Confidence will be the key to this game. While the Magpies are an improved side from 2001 the Eagles won’t be making it easy for them.
“We have a good record against Wests. We’ll make sure we get on top of them early and don’t let them get too confident.” Said Andrew Baxter.
The Magpies will be looking for David Bugg and Adam Dennison to continue their strong early season form and will need Stephen Hudson to fire for them in defence. With no major worries on the injury front after the opening round Wests will hope to get off to a stronger start than last week.
The East Coast Eagles also got out of the blocks slowly in their opening encounter but showed plenty of spirit and fitness to come back, but the Magpies confidence and resurgence may prove to be too much for the youthful Eagles side.
It should be a close one.
Prediction: Western Suburbs by 4 points
St George Crows v Pennant Hills Demons
Bankstown Oval, Sunday April 21
With both of these sides on the rebound after round one there will be plenty for them to play for this week.
While the young St George side lacks a bit of height, Pennant Hills are also suffering from a depleted senior list – a problem Demons’ Coach, Danny Ryan, admits will be a factor in Pennant Hills’ start to the season:
“We’re still a little bit underdone. This first month will be very tough for us. We’re using this time to give some experience to some younger players.”
The Demons get a couple of players back from injury this week, but are still struggling for depth across all grades.
St George coach Craig O’Brien is expecting an improved from his side this week with some changes expected in the Crows line-up after a disappointing opening round.
“It’s hard.” Said O’Brien. “We’re a very small team with a lot of young kids. There’s a dozen or so local kids that have come up, which is a good thing.”
One of the Crows best from last week, the talented Adrian Seccull, will find himself in a new role this week, with O’Brien shifting him more onto the ball and running him at Centre Half Back to get him more into the game.
“We need to control what we’re doing and not worry too much about the opposition.” Said O’Brien.
The St George backline will need to be at their best if they’re to control the likes of the entertaining Chris Mahar who, while not at peak fitness, nonetheless has the ability to do some damage. Another Demon to watch is the up and coming Dylan ‘Cookie’ Triegaardt, who proved a handful last week despite some lapses of concentration.
The dimensions of the Bankstown ground doesn’t worry either of the coaches; Ryan will still be expecting his side to take the ball up the middle – especially if Demon ruckman Chris Yard, who plays his 200th game this week, can get a bit of the ball.
O’Brien knows that there is a bit of space, and that it’s not as tight as other grounds. This should create the opportunity for the game to open up forward.
Pennant Hills did enough against a strong Bulldogs side last week to remain in touch into the second half. It was a game that was a lot closer than the final score indicated.
If the Demons can convert their opportunities this week they should prove to be too much for the Crows.
On the other hand, with Pennant Hills’ long injury list, St George probably won’t get a better opportunity to give the Demons a shake.
Prediction: Pennant Hills by 12 points
Player profiles
Chris Yard
(Pennant Hills Demons)
Pennant Hills’ Chris Yard reaches a big milestone in his long career with the club when he runs out for his 200th club game for the Demons this weekend.
Chris, who turns 30 next week, was born in Broken Hill and started his footy in Western Australia, where he played for the Bencubbin club.
Away from football Chris likes his golf - he plays off a handicap of 14 - and works as a consultant. The lanky ruckman came up through the junior ranks at Pennant Hills and remains loyal to his club despite moving to within ‘a good par 5’ of Western Suburbs’ home ground.
Married with one daughter, he nominates Turkish cuisine as his favourite food and Tony Lockett as his most admired sportsman.
On the field Yardy knows he has a job to do, and his enthusiasm for the game is as strong as ever.
“I’d like to win another premiership.” Says the loyal clubman who has no intentions of hanging up the boots in the near future. “I’d like to play injury free for another couple of years.
“I’ve always enjoyed the camaraderie of the club. It’s a close nit club that fosters its juniors.”
Chris will backing up this week after again featuring amongst the Demons best players in their tough first up clash against UNSW – Eastern Suburbs last weekend, where his experience was a valuable asset to the injury depleted Pennant Hills club.
No doubt Dees supporters will be hoping he can continue to win the team plenty of possession in the middle for a few more seasons to come.
Phil Doyle
Clinton Austerberry
(East Coast Eagles)
No one was more surprised than Clinton Austerberry when he was named captain of the East Coast Eagles for 2002.
At the ripe old age of 19 he must be the youngest captain of a state league club anywhere in the country!
“It’s a big honour, but it’s a big ask. I was shocked!” Says the talented Eagle.
Being a second year apprentice greenkeeper at the Eagles home ground at Macquarie University Clinton has no excuses to be late for training!
Known as Bubble to his mates, Clinton likes alternative music and admires Mike Tyson for his toughness. Away from footy Clinton likes the ‘normal stuff for a 19 year old’ and loves to tuck into a roast dinner.
His ambition is to play football at the highest level he can and to enjoy his game.
Born in Melbourne, Clinton played his junior footy in Benalla before he moved to Sydney and started with Baulkham Hills. He went straight into a leadership role with the club’s junior sides, which he captained, and played state representative footy through the under 16’s and under 18’s before graduating to the NSW-ACT Rams squad.
Now back with the East Coast Eagles Clinton is focussed on his new role with the club:
“It’s going all right so far. I’m still one of the boys, but I have an on and off field leadership role. The boys show you a bit more respect.”
Clinton has earned that respect at the Eagles, who are developing the future of the club by encouraging the development of their younger players - and what could be a better sign of how seriously they’re taking this policy than naming one of their youngest players as their captain.
Phil Doyle
Match previews and Player profiles
Match Previews
Sydney Redbacks v Campbelltown Panthers
Sydney Cricket Ground, Saturday April 20
Playing at the Sydney Cricket Ground has proved to be something of a hoodoo for Campbelltown over the last few years, and Campbelltown coach Geoff Valentine understands why:
“We use the Australian cricket team’s rooms as changerooms and when you look up at the wall and see Waugh and Warnie the blokes end up practicing their run-ups rather than their kicking.”
Valentine will be concentrating on keeping his charges focussed on the job at hand against a Redbacks outfit that were far from disgraced against last years premiers, North Shore, in the opening round.
“It’s a week to week proposition and it’ll take until quarter time before things settle down.” Said Redbacks coach Brett Allison, who is hoping to get two or three Swans listed players that are coming back from injury to bolster his young side.
Valentine sees the Redbacks unknown quantity as an advantage, allowing the Panthers to focus on their own game rather than countering the opposition, but he won’t be taking them lightly:
“They’ve got enough quality players to do the job. They’ll win more than they lose this year. It’s a very even competition across the board this year, if you’re down for five minutes you’ll get beaten.”
Allison agrees that his charges will be competitive.
Last weeks star up forward for the Redbacks, Lewis Roberts-Thomson, may find himself in a different role this week.
“He’ll probably be on the backline or at Centre Half Back and as an on-baller.” Said Allison, who noted that the Swans needed to develop a tall backman with good skills.
Campbelltown also have a healthy regard for Roberts-Thomson along with Tom Hill as the players they’ll have to watch in the Redbacks’ side this week.
Coming off a hard fought win over the young East Coast Eagles side last weekend, the Panthers only have the six day turnaround before they run out onto the famous Bulli soil.
Wayne Heath rolled an ankle and Martin Rodoreda has a corked thigh from last weekend, amongst a list of half a dozen or so Campbelltown players that will be carrying niggling injuries from last weekend.
While Valentine believes the venue won’t be such a factor this time around – most of the players have some experience at the SCG now – the tighter dimensions of the ground, and the Redbacks fitness, may be harder to contain. The young side finished strongly last week and this experience against quality opposition will give them some much-needed confidence.
If the Redbacks can keep the classy Matthew Chilton quiet early on they may just have the legs to run the Panthers down.
Prediction: Redbacks by 12 points
UNSW – Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs v Balmain Tigers
Village Green, Sunday April 21
Troy Luff’s Tigers make their debut against the early pacesetter for 2002, the UNSW-Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs, in what is shaping as the match of the round this week.
According to Luff the Tigers are fresh and itching to start the season.
Despite losing several of their 2001 squad Balmain have recruited well. Apart from Luff, who comes complete with his own supporter base, the Tigers also have the VFL/AFL experience of Michael Sier. They have also picked up Joel Cooney from Queensland and handy Centre Half Forward Warren Cruse from the strong Melbourne suburban club, Lilydale.
Regardless of the break Luff believes the Tigers will be full of running. Balmain played an intra-club match on the weekend before last. The game was played over five quarters to extend the players and prepare them for the long haul ahead.
Luff says the Tigers are ‘pretty much injury free’ going into season 2002. In fact depth is so good at Balmain this year that he believes his toughest job is the good players he has to leave out of his senior side when he names his team each week.
Meanwhile the Bulldogs are backing up after a tough encounter at Gore Hill last Sunday that has left the club with at least one player out through concussion and others carrying niggling injuries.
“Balmain have a good side from what I’ve heard.” Said UNSW – Eastern Suburbs coach Tim Jones. “They’ll be going hard at the ball and hard at the man.”
Even though they registered a big win on the scoreboard last week Jones believes that the Bulldogs still need to work on a few things. With a lot of new faces in the team it is taking a little time for the side to get organised.
Balmain had a look at the Bulldogs last Sunday and Luff believes he has a game plan that can deal with the Bulldogs style of play.
“It’s going to be tough but I think we’re good enough.” Said the former Swan.
It will be a rugged introduction to Sydney football for the popular utility player. UNSW – Eastern Suburbs will be hard to contain on the smaller Village Green ground. They have some quality players – captain Jason McPherson lead from the front last week and was ably assisted by some skilful tall players forward. Even so, they struggled to put away a depleted Demons outfit.
At their first home game for the season Tim Jones will be expecting a stronger showing from his charges, but if they give the Tigers a sniff the Bulldogs might find themselves in trouble.
UNSW – Eastern Suburbs by 15 points
East Coast Eagles v Western Suburbs Magpies
Roger Sheeran Oval, Sunday April 21
The trip to Roger Sheeran Oval will give a good indicator as to how much the Western Suburbs Magpies have improved this year.
They came from behind last week against the Crows but may find the going a little harder against an East Coast Eagles outfit that showed a lot of fitness in a tough encounter with last year’s grand finalists in round one.
The match also sees the return of new Magpie Cameron French to face his old club for the first time.
“We might play Rodney Frost on him.” Said East Coast Eagles’ co-coach Andrew Baxter who, along with Gus Seebeck, will be employing a youth strategy this year – encouraging the development of the young talent at the Eagles.
Baxter drew a lot of positives out of his young side’s narrow loss last week.
“I’m reasonably confident. We played eleven under-23’s last week and there were great signs in the second quarter.
“We’ve got a young side and we’re keen to develop the young kids and aim to play some smarter footy.”
As well as the younger players the Eagles have also recruited Gavin Walsh from the strong Diamond Valley Football League on Melbourne’s northern outskirts and one of Western Australian amateur football’s top players, Rod Pash.
Western Suburbs coach Laine Spencer noticed a big difference during last weeks opening round, with the game being harder and faster than the pre-season games, and he has no qualms about the trip to Roger Sheeran Oval:
“The big ground helps our game plan, with a running midfield and two key forwards going one-on-one in the marking contests.
“After last week I’m very confident.”
Confidence will be the key to this game. While the Magpies are an improved side from 2001 the Eagles won’t be making it easy for them.
“We have a good record against Wests. We’ll make sure we get on top of them early and don’t let them get too confident.” Said Andrew Baxter.
The Magpies will be looking for David Bugg and Adam Dennison to continue their strong early season form and will need Stephen Hudson to fire for them in defence. With no major worries on the injury front after the opening round Wests will hope to get off to a stronger start than last week.
The East Coast Eagles also got out of the blocks slowly in their opening encounter but showed plenty of spirit and fitness to come back, but the Magpies confidence and resurgence may prove to be too much for the youthful Eagles side.
It should be a close one.
Prediction: Western Suburbs by 4 points
St George Crows v Pennant Hills Demons
Bankstown Oval, Sunday April 21
With both of these sides on the rebound after round one there will be plenty for them to play for this week.
While the young St George side lacks a bit of height, Pennant Hills are also suffering from a depleted senior list – a problem Demons’ Coach, Danny Ryan, admits will be a factor in Pennant Hills’ start to the season:
“We’re still a little bit underdone. This first month will be very tough for us. We’re using this time to give some experience to some younger players.”
The Demons get a couple of players back from injury this week, but are still struggling for depth across all grades.
St George coach Craig O’Brien is expecting an improved from his side this week with some changes expected in the Crows line-up after a disappointing opening round.
“It’s hard.” Said O’Brien. “We’re a very small team with a lot of young kids. There’s a dozen or so local kids that have come up, which is a good thing.”
One of the Crows best from last week, the talented Adrian Seccull, will find himself in a new role this week, with O’Brien shifting him more onto the ball and running him at Centre Half Back to get him more into the game.
“We need to control what we’re doing and not worry too much about the opposition.” Said O’Brien.
The St George backline will need to be at their best if they’re to control the likes of the entertaining Chris Mahar who, while not at peak fitness, nonetheless has the ability to do some damage. Another Demon to watch is the up and coming Dylan ‘Cookie’ Triegaardt, who proved a handful last week despite some lapses of concentration.
The dimensions of the Bankstown ground doesn’t worry either of the coaches; Ryan will still be expecting his side to take the ball up the middle – especially if Demon ruckman Chris Yard, who plays his 200th game this week, can get a bit of the ball.
O’Brien knows that there is a bit of space, and that it’s not as tight as other grounds. This should create the opportunity for the game to open up forward.
Pennant Hills did enough against a strong Bulldogs side last week to remain in touch into the second half. It was a game that was a lot closer than the final score indicated.
If the Demons can convert their opportunities this week they should prove to be too much for the Crows.
On the other hand, with Pennant Hills’ long injury list, St George probably won’t get a better opportunity to give the Demons a shake.
Prediction: Pennant Hills by 12 points
Player profiles
Chris Yard
(Pennant Hills Demons)
Pennant Hills’ Chris Yard reaches a big milestone in his long career with the club when he runs out for his 200th club game for the Demons this weekend.
Chris, who turns 30 next week, was born in Broken Hill and started his footy in Western Australia, where he played for the Bencubbin club.
Away from football Chris likes his golf - he plays off a handicap of 14 - and works as a consultant. The lanky ruckman came up through the junior ranks at Pennant Hills and remains loyal to his club despite moving to within ‘a good par 5’ of Western Suburbs’ home ground.
Married with one daughter, he nominates Turkish cuisine as his favourite food and Tony Lockett as his most admired sportsman.
On the field Yardy knows he has a job to do, and his enthusiasm for the game is as strong as ever.
“I’d like to win another premiership.” Says the loyal clubman who has no intentions of hanging up the boots in the near future. “I’d like to play injury free for another couple of years.
“I’ve always enjoyed the camaraderie of the club. It’s a close nit club that fosters its juniors.”
Chris will backing up this week after again featuring amongst the Demons best players in their tough first up clash against UNSW – Eastern Suburbs last weekend, where his experience was a valuable asset to the injury depleted Pennant Hills club.
No doubt Dees supporters will be hoping he can continue to win the team plenty of possession in the middle for a few more seasons to come.
Phil Doyle
Clinton Austerberry
(East Coast Eagles)
No one was more surprised than Clinton Austerberry when he was named captain of the East Coast Eagles for 2002.
At the ripe old age of 19 he must be the youngest captain of a state league club anywhere in the country!
“It’s a big honour, but it’s a big ask. I was shocked!” Says the talented Eagle.
Being a second year apprentice greenkeeper at the Eagles home ground at Macquarie University Clinton has no excuses to be late for training!
Known as Bubble to his mates, Clinton likes alternative music and admires Mike Tyson for his toughness. Away from footy Clinton likes the ‘normal stuff for a 19 year old’ and loves to tuck into a roast dinner.
His ambition is to play football at the highest level he can and to enjoy his game.
Born in Melbourne, Clinton played his junior footy in Benalla before he moved to Sydney and started with Baulkham Hills. He went straight into a leadership role with the club’s junior sides, which he captained, and played state representative footy through the under 16’s and under 18’s before graduating to the NSW-ACT Rams squad.
Now back with the East Coast Eagles Clinton is focussed on his new role with the club:
“It’s going all right so far. I’m still one of the boys, but I have an on and off field leadership role. The boys show you a bit more respect.”
Clinton has earned that respect at the Eagles, who are developing the future of the club by encouraging the development of their younger players - and what could be a better sign of how seriously they’re taking this policy than naming one of their youngest players as their captain.
Phil Doyle