Phil Doyle
23 Apr 2002, 12:59
Previews and Player profiles for AFL Sydney Round 3
Previews
Pennant Hills Demons v East Coast Eagles
Gore Hill Oval, Saturday April 27
With both of these sides yet to register a win in season 2000 this game is important for two clubs that share a bit in common.
They have both been ‘blooding’ younger players in the early rounds – in the Eagles case as part of a long term youth strategy employed by the club, and in the Demons case as a result of an extensive injury list.
“Our club has probably got twice as many kids under 20 in the senior side as any other club…including our captain, our rover and most of our midfield which is usually where you have your strongest guys and most experienced players.” Said a disappointed Gus Seebeck after the East Coast Eagles narrow loss to Western Suburbs last week. “The Club has a strong junior development program on the go and we want to compliment that and put a lot of faith in these kids.”
Pennant Hills’ coach Danny Ryan is hoping to turn things around after a big loss to St George last week.
“We’re not getting too carried away.” Said Ryan. “We’re just focussing on this week.”
Ryan will be hoping for the return of several senior players. The Demons were forced to make seven changes to the side beaten in the opening round and it may be a similar story this week. Pennant Hills will welcome the return of Chris Yard and Chris Maher from injury and Damian Philpott from suspension to relieve the pressure that’s fallen on older hands like Tim Nunan and Richard Gerke.
The Demons coach remains positive, pointing to the fact that despite the end result his young side started well and that it is a learning experience for the club’s younger players.
The Eagles have been desperately unlucky two weeks running. They took what should have been a match winning lead into the final quarter against Wests. In ex-Tiger Andrew Ryan they have a good option in the ruck that frees up Gus Seebeck to create options up forward or bolster defence down back.
Pennant Hills should improve from last week, but East Coast is not far from a win and should come away with their first points for 2002.
Prediction: East Coast by 30 points
Balmain v St George
Drummoyne Oval, Sunday April 28
St George completed a remarkable form reversal to record a resounding win over the Demons last weekend to set up an unlikely match of the round against Troy Luff’s Balmain Tigers - who play their first home game this week after a narrow loss to early season pacesetters, UNSW – Eastern Suburbs.
The Crows kicked ten goals in a devastating second quarter after changes were made to the side that capitulated to Wests the week before.
Young Adrian Seccull kicked seven last week and will be a danger for Balmain, who had a feast of possession despite their loss.
“We lost it rather than they won it.” Said a disappointed Troy Luff of the Tigers’ effort last week. “If we play that badly and only lose by a goal then we know that if we play better we should win.”
St George will take a lot of confidence from the win – important for a young side that is still gaining experience. While Craig O’Brien will be pleased with his team’s turnaround he will no doubt be aware of the depth and experience available to the Balmain club in 2002, not the least of which is playing coach, Troy Luff.
Luff will be looking to the Tigers to improve their manning up and disposal this week. Despite conceding six goals in the last quarter they had ten different goalkickers for their tally of eleven goals last week – an indication of the range of options Balmain has in attack.
If the Tigers get as much of the ball this week as they did last week they may prove too difficult for the young St George side to handle.
Prediction: Balmain by 21 points.
Western Suburbs Magpies v Sydney Redbacks
Bankstown Oval, Sunday April 28
Despite two wins on the trot Western Suburbs coach Laine Spencer was not satisfied with his side’s performance against the East Coast Eagles last week:
‘We didn’t play our football and I believe we were a long way below par.’
He is hoping that the space at Bankstown Oval will give the Magpies more of an opportunity to move the ball around.
For the Redbacks the venue and opposition will be something of a mystery – Coach Brett Allison has never seen the ground or Wests in action this year.
Nonetheless he knows that the Magpies are a big, strong team that will be a big test for his young side that is coming off a dominating win over last year’s grand finalists, Campbelltown.
Allison will be planning on moving the ball on quickly and hoping his players skill, speed and fitness will prove telling against the Magpies.
With two come from behind wins under their belt Western Suburbs are certainly a fit side, and they won’t be taking the Redbacks lightly.
“They’re are a good side. There’s a lot of talent there.” Said Wests’ coach, Laine Spencer. “We’ll go one on one. The wide open spaces suit our game plan, which is to move the football around.”
Magpie Lee Campbell is playing well – he was kicking goals even after shifting into the midfield last weekend – and Peter Costantino has returned to the sort of form that gives the Magpies some real match winners in attack.
On the other hand Wests’ backline has been found wanting on occasion, and Redbacks of the caliber of Mark Powell may be able to exploit this area.
Western Suburbs are very much a confidence side. If the Redbacks can rattle them early they may be able to prove a handful as the game wears on, but if they let Wests big men, like Dale Odgers, get going the Magpies will prove hard to stop.
Prediction: Western Suburbs by 24 points
Campbelltown v North Shore
Monarch Oval, Sunday April 28
The grand final replay shapes up to be a big test for the Panthers.
Last week Campbelltown Coach Geoff Valentine was pleased his side didn’t get beaten by twenty goals at the SCG, where lack of mobility on the forward line and poor disposal across the midfield cost Campbelltown dearly as they put in a disappointing showing against the Redbacks.
Valentine’s charges will have a hard week on the training track before they take on last year’s premiers.
“For us we’ll be going back to basics; getting numbers to the contest and applying pressure in the midfield.” Said the Campbelltown coach.
North Shore will be fresh after the bye.
The Bombers cruised after they had their opening game under control by half time, against a side that will take a bit longer to get into its rhythm than Campbelltown. This will be a good indicator of the fitness level at North Shore this year.
North Shore is a very different side than the premiership winning squad of 2001 and they will be up against a very determined Panthers outfit. They will need to be at their best to stop Campbelltown on the rebound.
It’s hard to believe a team with as much talent as Campbelltown would put in two games in a row like last week. They were backing up after a tough encounter with the Eagles the week before and they can be expected to be out of the blocks quicker on their home turf.
There is plenty to play for. They take on a revamped version of the team that denied them ultimate success last year – an experience that has made the Panthers hungrier in season 2002.
The Panthers plan a big day for their first home game of the season. In addition to the rematch of both of last year’s grand final sides there will be an Old Boys reunion as well as a little league game from two local Campbelltown Clubs during half time in the main game.
Prediction: Campbelltown by 5 points
Player profiles
Radlee Moller
Campbelltown captain Radlee Moller is a player who has tasted premiership success. Last year’s grand final loss to North Shore was the first ever premiership he has played in that he hasn’t won – and the experience has made him hungrier for success this year.
“We’ve got plenty of fire in the belly!” said Radlee, who is looking forward to lifting the premiership cup in September as a part of the Campbelltown Panthers campaign for 2002.
From 1998 to 2000 the Campbelltown junior played in the strong SANFL competition. This culminated in Radlee playing in the Central Districts Bulldogs’ famous first ever SANFL premiership victory in 2000 - an experience he regards as the highlight of his football career so far.
“Playing over there I realised how high the standard of footy could get.” Says Moller, who remains a fan of another Bulldog, the Sydneysider Terry Lamb, ‘for his toughness’.
Radlee’s talent was identified very early on in his junior football, at 16 years of age he began playing under 19 level before being a part of Campbelltown’s ‘94/’95 back to back premiership sides.
The big ruckman, known as ‘Radders’ around the Campbelltown club, is studying accountancy at the University of Western Sydney - Macarthur and loves scuba diving and fishing, in fact anything to do with water, when he is away from the football field.
On the paddock his mobility and ability to get the ball make him a big asset to the Campbelltown side, where he is passing on his experience to another generation of Sydney footballers.
Radlee is very happy at Campbelltown and hopes to continue playing his footy injury free into the future.
If determination counts for anything then the experienced Radlee Moller will be leading his Campbelltown side all the way to the top in 2002.
Phil Doyle
Cameron French
Cameron French, who turns 24 this week, is a fairly recent arrival in the world of football. The Western Suburbs midfielder is only in his third season:
“I was playing rugby at West Harbour and some mates were playing [at the Eagles], so I followed them over.”
Known as ‘Frenchy’ around the traps, he was born near Warnambool in Victoria before his family moved to the Riverina, where he grew up playing rugby.
The transition between the codes didn’t always go smoothly. He was playing both games at one stage and went for a ‘chip and chase’ and proceeded to have a bounce - while playing rugby!
Cameron loves his sport; he is a keen cricketer, playing at Shires level, who has a Masters of Sports Science from the University of New South Wales, where he does some research work. While Don Bradman is his sporting hero, in football he admires Nathan Buckley for his consistency.
His football highlight so far has been beating the Swans at the SCG in his first season with the East Coast Eagles.
Cameron shifted from the Eagles to link up with the Western Suburbs Magpies this year, where he has settled in well:
“Obviously there’s a lot of new guys, and the boys are really starting to gel.” Says Cameron, who has started season 2002 in good form – kicking a goal and being named amongst Wests’ best players in his opening round clash this year.
Cameron is a team man who enjoys being involved with junior development at Wests, which sees him involved in work at schools and special sessions before senior’s training with juniors to lift the number of players and standard of junior footy in Sydney.
Despite arriving in football only recently Cameron is keen to improve his game and would love to have a pre-season with an AFL club and ‘take it from there’.
Phil Doyle
Previews
Pennant Hills Demons v East Coast Eagles
Gore Hill Oval, Saturday April 27
With both of these sides yet to register a win in season 2000 this game is important for two clubs that share a bit in common.
They have both been ‘blooding’ younger players in the early rounds – in the Eagles case as part of a long term youth strategy employed by the club, and in the Demons case as a result of an extensive injury list.
“Our club has probably got twice as many kids under 20 in the senior side as any other club…including our captain, our rover and most of our midfield which is usually where you have your strongest guys and most experienced players.” Said a disappointed Gus Seebeck after the East Coast Eagles narrow loss to Western Suburbs last week. “The Club has a strong junior development program on the go and we want to compliment that and put a lot of faith in these kids.”
Pennant Hills’ coach Danny Ryan is hoping to turn things around after a big loss to St George last week.
“We’re not getting too carried away.” Said Ryan. “We’re just focussing on this week.”
Ryan will be hoping for the return of several senior players. The Demons were forced to make seven changes to the side beaten in the opening round and it may be a similar story this week. Pennant Hills will welcome the return of Chris Yard and Chris Maher from injury and Damian Philpott from suspension to relieve the pressure that’s fallen on older hands like Tim Nunan and Richard Gerke.
The Demons coach remains positive, pointing to the fact that despite the end result his young side started well and that it is a learning experience for the club’s younger players.
The Eagles have been desperately unlucky two weeks running. They took what should have been a match winning lead into the final quarter against Wests. In ex-Tiger Andrew Ryan they have a good option in the ruck that frees up Gus Seebeck to create options up forward or bolster defence down back.
Pennant Hills should improve from last week, but East Coast is not far from a win and should come away with their first points for 2002.
Prediction: East Coast by 30 points
Balmain v St George
Drummoyne Oval, Sunday April 28
St George completed a remarkable form reversal to record a resounding win over the Demons last weekend to set up an unlikely match of the round against Troy Luff’s Balmain Tigers - who play their first home game this week after a narrow loss to early season pacesetters, UNSW – Eastern Suburbs.
The Crows kicked ten goals in a devastating second quarter after changes were made to the side that capitulated to Wests the week before.
Young Adrian Seccull kicked seven last week and will be a danger for Balmain, who had a feast of possession despite their loss.
“We lost it rather than they won it.” Said a disappointed Troy Luff of the Tigers’ effort last week. “If we play that badly and only lose by a goal then we know that if we play better we should win.”
St George will take a lot of confidence from the win – important for a young side that is still gaining experience. While Craig O’Brien will be pleased with his team’s turnaround he will no doubt be aware of the depth and experience available to the Balmain club in 2002, not the least of which is playing coach, Troy Luff.
Luff will be looking to the Tigers to improve their manning up and disposal this week. Despite conceding six goals in the last quarter they had ten different goalkickers for their tally of eleven goals last week – an indication of the range of options Balmain has in attack.
If the Tigers get as much of the ball this week as they did last week they may prove too difficult for the young St George side to handle.
Prediction: Balmain by 21 points.
Western Suburbs Magpies v Sydney Redbacks
Bankstown Oval, Sunday April 28
Despite two wins on the trot Western Suburbs coach Laine Spencer was not satisfied with his side’s performance against the East Coast Eagles last week:
‘We didn’t play our football and I believe we were a long way below par.’
He is hoping that the space at Bankstown Oval will give the Magpies more of an opportunity to move the ball around.
For the Redbacks the venue and opposition will be something of a mystery – Coach Brett Allison has never seen the ground or Wests in action this year.
Nonetheless he knows that the Magpies are a big, strong team that will be a big test for his young side that is coming off a dominating win over last year’s grand finalists, Campbelltown.
Allison will be planning on moving the ball on quickly and hoping his players skill, speed and fitness will prove telling against the Magpies.
With two come from behind wins under their belt Western Suburbs are certainly a fit side, and they won’t be taking the Redbacks lightly.
“They’re are a good side. There’s a lot of talent there.” Said Wests’ coach, Laine Spencer. “We’ll go one on one. The wide open spaces suit our game plan, which is to move the football around.”
Magpie Lee Campbell is playing well – he was kicking goals even after shifting into the midfield last weekend – and Peter Costantino has returned to the sort of form that gives the Magpies some real match winners in attack.
On the other hand Wests’ backline has been found wanting on occasion, and Redbacks of the caliber of Mark Powell may be able to exploit this area.
Western Suburbs are very much a confidence side. If the Redbacks can rattle them early they may be able to prove a handful as the game wears on, but if they let Wests big men, like Dale Odgers, get going the Magpies will prove hard to stop.
Prediction: Western Suburbs by 24 points
Campbelltown v North Shore
Monarch Oval, Sunday April 28
The grand final replay shapes up to be a big test for the Panthers.
Last week Campbelltown Coach Geoff Valentine was pleased his side didn’t get beaten by twenty goals at the SCG, where lack of mobility on the forward line and poor disposal across the midfield cost Campbelltown dearly as they put in a disappointing showing against the Redbacks.
Valentine’s charges will have a hard week on the training track before they take on last year’s premiers.
“For us we’ll be going back to basics; getting numbers to the contest and applying pressure in the midfield.” Said the Campbelltown coach.
North Shore will be fresh after the bye.
The Bombers cruised after they had their opening game under control by half time, against a side that will take a bit longer to get into its rhythm than Campbelltown. This will be a good indicator of the fitness level at North Shore this year.
North Shore is a very different side than the premiership winning squad of 2001 and they will be up against a very determined Panthers outfit. They will need to be at their best to stop Campbelltown on the rebound.
It’s hard to believe a team with as much talent as Campbelltown would put in two games in a row like last week. They were backing up after a tough encounter with the Eagles the week before and they can be expected to be out of the blocks quicker on their home turf.
There is plenty to play for. They take on a revamped version of the team that denied them ultimate success last year – an experience that has made the Panthers hungrier in season 2002.
The Panthers plan a big day for their first home game of the season. In addition to the rematch of both of last year’s grand final sides there will be an Old Boys reunion as well as a little league game from two local Campbelltown Clubs during half time in the main game.
Prediction: Campbelltown by 5 points
Player profiles
Radlee Moller
Campbelltown captain Radlee Moller is a player who has tasted premiership success. Last year’s grand final loss to North Shore was the first ever premiership he has played in that he hasn’t won – and the experience has made him hungrier for success this year.
“We’ve got plenty of fire in the belly!” said Radlee, who is looking forward to lifting the premiership cup in September as a part of the Campbelltown Panthers campaign for 2002.
From 1998 to 2000 the Campbelltown junior played in the strong SANFL competition. This culminated in Radlee playing in the Central Districts Bulldogs’ famous first ever SANFL premiership victory in 2000 - an experience he regards as the highlight of his football career so far.
“Playing over there I realised how high the standard of footy could get.” Says Moller, who remains a fan of another Bulldog, the Sydneysider Terry Lamb, ‘for his toughness’.
Radlee’s talent was identified very early on in his junior football, at 16 years of age he began playing under 19 level before being a part of Campbelltown’s ‘94/’95 back to back premiership sides.
The big ruckman, known as ‘Radders’ around the Campbelltown club, is studying accountancy at the University of Western Sydney - Macarthur and loves scuba diving and fishing, in fact anything to do with water, when he is away from the football field.
On the paddock his mobility and ability to get the ball make him a big asset to the Campbelltown side, where he is passing on his experience to another generation of Sydney footballers.
Radlee is very happy at Campbelltown and hopes to continue playing his footy injury free into the future.
If determination counts for anything then the experienced Radlee Moller will be leading his Campbelltown side all the way to the top in 2002.
Phil Doyle
Cameron French
Cameron French, who turns 24 this week, is a fairly recent arrival in the world of football. The Western Suburbs midfielder is only in his third season:
“I was playing rugby at West Harbour and some mates were playing [at the Eagles], so I followed them over.”
Known as ‘Frenchy’ around the traps, he was born near Warnambool in Victoria before his family moved to the Riverina, where he grew up playing rugby.
The transition between the codes didn’t always go smoothly. He was playing both games at one stage and went for a ‘chip and chase’ and proceeded to have a bounce - while playing rugby!
Cameron loves his sport; he is a keen cricketer, playing at Shires level, who has a Masters of Sports Science from the University of New South Wales, where he does some research work. While Don Bradman is his sporting hero, in football he admires Nathan Buckley for his consistency.
His football highlight so far has been beating the Swans at the SCG in his first season with the East Coast Eagles.
Cameron shifted from the Eagles to link up with the Western Suburbs Magpies this year, where he has settled in well:
“Obviously there’s a lot of new guys, and the boys are really starting to gel.” Says Cameron, who has started season 2002 in good form – kicking a goal and being named amongst Wests’ best players in his opening round clash this year.
Cameron is a team man who enjoys being involved with junior development at Wests, which sees him involved in work at schools and special sessions before senior’s training with juniors to lift the number of players and standard of junior footy in Sydney.
Despite arriving in football only recently Cameron is keen to improve his game and would love to have a pre-season with an AFL club and ‘take it from there’.
Phil Doyle