U12/2 Canada Bay Cannons v Heathcote, Round 13

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U12 Div 2 Canada Bay Cannons v Heathcote

Round 13, Drummoyne Oval

The scoreboard lit up with the names of our 50 game veterans.

And the way they’re playing, they’re heading for Boomer Harvey’s record.

The Cannons racked up another good solid win against a physical Heathcote in, yet again, Arctic Drummoyne conditions whipping off Five Dock Bay leaving the families shivering in the stand waiting in vain for the coffee van to arrive.

But despite the cold, the Cannons fired from the start, straight from Tom’s first tap at the opening bounce.

Even when we didn’t have the ball the teamwork was impressive. Gang tackles were called for throughout the day as some of their big kids insisted on taking on three or four tacklers at a time. They might have got through one, they might have got through two, but there was always another Cannon there to help their teammates and eventually make the tackle stick. Teamwork doesn’t just apply when you’ve got the ball. Helping your teammates in every part of the game is a crucial part of footy.

Tom dominated the ruck all day and his beautiful tapwork created so much of our attack, as he provided silver service for Cooper, Damo, Blake and anyone else who wanted it.

He wasn’t just content with palming it straight to his midfielders.

He was also picking the ball off his toes and sending out a handball, or taking marks and finding a teammate with a pass. It was the complete ruckman’s game.

While Tom gave them the service, the midfielders used the ball well and there were so many examples of fluent teamwork through the middle as Cooper regularly connected with Nic, Thea, James and Will to send the ball forward where Liam and Alex were waiting.

Liam took some big marks up forward, including one on a high speed lead, and also read the play brilliantly, kicking two goals after roving the pack. And he was thinking about the team, finding Thea in front of goal with a perfect pass after he had marked near the boundary.

Thea did the right thing and duly kicked the goal, one of her three for the day, while Alex also pulled three goals out of his bag of tricks.

Finlay was a livewire on the wing, attacking the footy and tackling the man, shepherding, smothering and taking intercept marks on the wall. He was finally rewarded with a goal after Tom took a mark and passed to Nic who found Thea who shot the hands out to Fin for a clever  goal.

Ben C started the day with a strong shepherd and was reliable in defence where Brayden again took some telling marks. Archie as usual threw himself into everything, Dom was another key man in defence and Ozzy ran well through the middle where he picked up a handball from Damo and delivered a sweet pass to James to kick a goal.

Goals: Thea 3, Alex 3, Cooper 2, Liam 2, James 1, Will 1, Finlay 1, Damo 1.

 

Drummoyne Power U5 vs East Sydney

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Drummoyne Power U5 v East Sydney

Round 13, Five Dock Park

It’s a little known fact that Five Dock Park is the windiest place in Australia. It earned that reputation in Round 13 as a bitter westerly wind set the scene for a gritty battle between Drummoyne Power Under 5s and their crosstown rivals, the fearsome East Sydney Bulldogs.

With coach Paul laid up by injury, Nathan gamely stepped in as umpire. Judging that his boys’ superior aerobic fitness would give them an edge, Nathan mustered his six charges and opted to play on the biggest field ever sighted by a four-year-old. In the ensuing battle, this proved the deciding factor of the day.

It has to be said that the Drummoyne boys benefitted from a gale-force tailwind for the duration of the match. But fortune favours the brave and the local lads didn’t take any chances. In the centres, Oscar and Toby took control of the game from the outset, with confident taps to each other and dashing runs up the long field towards their forwards. Toby kicked a goal from near halfway and Oscar sent a perfectly weighted kick to Neddy who got under it to take his very first mark-in-a-real-life-game. Delighted, Ned spun and slotted the ball through the posts for his second goal while his supporters cheered. Koji snapped a six pointer as well and the opposition looked rattled. Things were quiet for Eli, Riley and Silas in defence, but they spent their time well – huddling from the gale and discussing tactics for next quarter.

Preparation paid off for Eli, Riley and Silas when they moved to the forwards and peppered the posts throughout the second quarter. Silas belted the ball through a wall of Easts defenders and bagged a goal to thunderous applause. Koji and Ned were busy in the centres, tirelessly taking the ball up to their forwards and stifling the odd counterattack from Easts. Drummoyne missed the dominant rucking of Oscar and Toby this quarter, as those boys were relegated to a quiet role in defence and their teeth chattered as they watched the action from afar.

Coach Nathan made a mercy call during the break and sent Ned in to play for Easts for the final quarter. Ned agreed to defect on the express condition that he could play in the forwards and kick some more goals – he wasted no time and slotted a couple before his erstwhile teammates realised he’d switched sides and stopped passing him the ball. Things took a turn for the worse when Eli copped a falcon, Silas took a breather and Riley left the field under a mysterious injury cloud. Suddenly Power were down several men and Easts were back in the game!

With only one Drummoyne lad in the centre in the final quarter, Oscar dropped back from the forwards to help out. He was busier than a one armed bricklayer covering both positions, time and again sprinting up the field with the ball tucked under his arm, rugby league style. Dad Nathan frowned from behind his umpire’s whistle at the cross-pollination of competing footy codes but he was powerless to stop the young man. A bunch of goals followed as Drummoyne wrested back control of the match and the crowd went wild.

Koji summed up the spirit of the game in his post match interview. Asked about the highlights of the match, he replied, “I kicked a goal and I had fun!”

Many thanks to Nathan for stepping in to umpire. Very best wishes to Coach Paul for a speedy recovery and thanks as always to Alison for her work behind the scenes.

U7 Black v Concord

U7 Black v Concord Giants, Round 12

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U7 Black v Concord Giants

Round 12, Goddard Park

The U7 Black played one of their best games all year against a strong Giants team. They showed some terrific team work – typified by a slick chain of hand passes between four players across the half forward line which lead to a great team goal. There was also some remarkable sharp shooting for goal combined with strong defence against a fast starting Giants team.

Thomas lead by example at both ends of the ground with some tough defence (including a goal saving mark) and he kicked some goals too, highlighted by a major after the quarter time siren. Austin D played great team footy with some perfectly targeted hand passes through the centre and then capped of his effort with three goals in the second term.

Akira had a fabulous game and earned the player of the week award with wonderful left foot kicks, brave marks and three goals in the final term. Lachlan was so strong through the middle of the ground, winning plenty of ball and passing beautifully – and if that wasn’t enough he kicked four goals in a very busy final term.  Austen P was on the highlights reel again with a remarkable goal from right on the sideline, and his ability to pass to team mates was equally good.

Alex V consistently pressured the opposition in defence and really enjoyed himself in the last quarter with plenty of shots at goal. Hamish ran and ran and ran, ducking and weaving, and it was great to see him developing his passing skills during the game. Arnaud was the team’s best chaser through the middle as he constantly marked the opposition and forced mistakes – centre pressure is critical to every AFL team. Tess was really strong in defence early in the game when the Giants were pressuring us, and capped it off with some big plays in the centre by winning several hit outs and forcing turnovers.

All the parents were tremendously proud to watch U7 Black play such a great game, enjoy themselves and improve as a team – and they are quite a formidable outfit! Thanks to Camille who ensured all the kids had a great time on their return to footy after the mid-season break.

U11 Teal v Easts

Under 11 Teal V Easts, Round 13

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Under 11 Teal V Easts

Round 13, Five Dock Park

Just one word for this slideshow of pictures from our U11 Teal game v Easts: supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.

Thanks Donald for making this slideshow, and congratulations  U11 Teal on a good win over East Sydney Blue. U11 Teal has cemented its third place on the ladder with just three games before the finals. Go Power!

 

U12-2 v Kellyville

Cannons Under 12 Div 2 v Kellyville

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Cannons U12 Division 2 v Kellyville

Round 12, 17 July

We had kids fly back from all corners of the globe; Ireland, Japan, England, Geelong, so a trip to Kellyville was an easy 40k jaunt up the M2.

Awaiting us in the Hills was a great challenge against Kellyville, only two weeks after they outclassed us. And the kids answered it brilliantly.

Inspired by Archie L leading his cheersquad on the terraces, the Cannons were back to their trademark footy – team oriented, clever and persistent.

The Cannons responded every time Kellyville challenged, regularly setting up goals deep in defence and finishing them off up forward with smart and unselfish passes to teammates in a better position.

After the result last time, an early statement was important and Tank and Cooper made it loud and clear when they combined brilliantly at the opening bounce to win the first clearance of the game. It set us up to dominate early possession but we just couldn’t convert. Kellyville then took its chance and scored the opening goal.

But our response was swift. Tank and Cooper combined again at the next bounce, got the ball to Paddy who kicked inside 50 for Will to mark strongly and slot the goal to put us in front, where we stayed.

Tank has really developed his rucking as the season has gone on and he was crucial in winning the clearances, while Brayden on the last line of defence had his best game of the year. He was poised and clever, took strong marks, tackled, kicked long and beautifully and saved the day many times, but also set up many attacks. The only forward line he’ll be in for the rest of the year is the opposition’s.

Cooper has added grunt to his silky skills and was always in and under extracting the ball for teammates while Finlay also kept going into the contest and coming out with the footy.

Thea was taking marks, running and providing a great link on the wing, combining with Nic to set up James for a first quarter goal, while Ben C and Dominator were cool when under siege in defence.

The passing, leading and marking was composed and impressive – James sent a precision ball in the second term to Will who did likewise to Alex DP for the first of his four goals. Will did it again in the third quarter when he took a strong mark on the wall and with a short pass found Nic who kicked his first goal. And after marking on the 50, Paddy found a strong lead from ADP and hit him on the chest.

Archie G made an immediate impact when he came on, crunching some Magpies with massive tackles, one of which spilled the ball loose for Nic to scoop up and kick a terrific running goal from the boundary to give us a handy halftime lead.

Alex DP turned his defender inside out a couple of times for a pair of third quarter goals after good lead up work from Damo and Blake and Nic’s major gave a big lead going into the final break.

We cruised home in the last quarter for an impressive win, but the highlight of the day was Archie L’s even more impressive cheersquad.

CANADA BAY 9.8.62
Goals: Alex DP 4, Nic 2, Will 1, Paddy 1, James 1
KELLYVILLE 6.4.40

Cannons U15-1 v Easts, Round 12

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U15 Division 1 Canada Bay Cannons v Easts Bulldogs
Round 12

First match back after the break saw the 15/1s playing long term rivals Easts in a must-win match to keep in finals contention, at East’s home ground. No pressure then, boys.

As the team took the field it was clear they had their game faces on. They gave it all they had from the first bounce, scrambling, smothering and determined to send the ball forward. And forward it went to the goal square, Josh H got his foot on it in the melee – goal to Cannons. Great start. Easts immediately responded with a strong attack, only to be repelled by a committed defence, co-captain Gus leading by example, and solid as a rock Ben W running the ball out. With the centres at full pace, Ely and Pierce using their strength and height to hold up play and the running combination of Luke G and Tommy taking the ball forward, Cannons attacked again. This time a kick forward, mark and goal from 40 out by Brendan. Strong play by Luke L and another score. Quarter time Cannons ahead to a goalless Easts.

The second quarter saw the centres start with the same desire and the same result, this time measured kicks and marks all the way to Gull at full forward – goal. By now Easts was frantic for a goal and threw extra players into its forward line, twice Ben W taking on three Easts players by himself and turning the ball back. Gus and Zac were also outstanding in mopping up play. Finally Easts goaled, Cannons up 20-10 at half time.

As Easts came out from the long break it was obvious they were fired up and ready to play. And play they did, getting right back into the game to even the score. Was this to be another match where Cannons lost focus and lost the match in one quarter? Not this time. The boys regrouped, refocussed and went hard again, with Louie M ignoring jet lag to run through the middle and kick the ball forward and Josh G grabbing mark after mark to frustrate Easts. Pressure, then more, resulted in goals to Josh M and Pierce. Cannons back in front.

The match see-sawed during the final quarter with Easts briefly taking the lead before a last push by the Cannons had Luke G and Gull kicking majors to see our boys home by 8 points (7.4.46 – 5.8.38).

Overall a great day’s play from every single Cannons player. Well done, boys.

U9 Teal v Concord

U9 Teal v Concord Giants, Round 12

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U9 Teal v Concord Giants

Round 12, Goddard Park

After a couple of weeks off, the boys were in action again in a cold but dry morning at Goddard Oval. Both teams were low on numbers being the last weekend of the school holidays, and the field looked huge with only nine a side.

U9 Teal showed no signs of rust though, and everyone was running well all game.

The boys took advantage of an undermanned Concord team and started the game with superb defence and some great attacking footy. The ball didn’t get into our backline at all due to the great play of our centres and forwards.

As usual, Nick C was tackling everything that moved and linked up well with our forwards. If they did happen to get past Nick C and Sean G, Callum C was reading the play well and was there to kick it right back to our forwards. The forwards had a fantastic start, with all three of them finding each other. Tom C and Tom N both kicked some great goals; and Ethan N kicked a super one from right on the sideline.

The defence dominated again in the second quarter with Ethan D, Scott W and Kaya O in the centres. There was some big clearing kicks from Ethan D and both Scott W and Kaya O were putting their bodies on the line taking some big hits as they attacked the ball. That provided some good go forward for Nick C to kick some long goals and also set up Callum C who took a tough mark in traffic and (just!) kicked a goal.

In the third quarter it was more of the same. Fantastic play in the centres from Ethan N, Tom C and Tom N who were making string tackles with some help from Nick C. Our forwards were also fantastic in defence, with some great hustle from Ethan D, Scott W and Kaya O. The ball hardly crossed the half way line again, and the forwards (Ethan D in particular with his big long boot) had some unlucky bounces that should have been some nice long goals.

By the fourth quarter, I think the boys were getting a bit tired on such a big field. The backs had to get a little more involved but the defence was still awesome. The forwards had plenty of chances and Ethan N continued his brilliant goal kicking on the day.

It was a really impressive game of footy from the boys, and everyone one of them ran hard, tackled hard and seemed to be in the right place on defence. It was also great to see that everyone one was looking for their team mates and there were some really great kicks and marks on the day.

The Concord Giants played hard all game, even though they were missing a lot of their players. I am sure that it will be a tougher game next time we play them, but if we keep tackling, reading the play and finding our team mates, I am sure we can play just as well.

Our player of the day was Kaya O for some great hustle in defence and all round good game.

Well done U9 Teal.

Drummoyne Power logo

End of Season Party: 5 August

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Let’s Party

We’ve stood on the sidelines in hot sun and pelting rain, washed jumpers and stinky socks, cut oranges, we’ve coached / managed / encouraged, driven all over Sydney and cheered ourselves hoarse.

After all that, it is time to party!

Friday 5 August at the Oxford Hotel in Drummoyne from 7.30pm.

Celebrate the end of another successful season of junior AFL, and meet other families from Drummoyne Power and the Canada Bay Cannons.

The $45 ticket includes canapes and music. Bookings open now:

http://tix.yt/drummoynepower 

The team with the most families attending the function will receive a $100 bar voucher.

We’ll also have fundraising auctions. Buy your ticket, gather your footy friends, and book the babysitter!

U14 Cannons

Cannons U14 v Wests, Round 12

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Cannons U14 Division 2

Round 12, Picken Oval

Canada Bay Cannons 6.8.44 d Western Suburbs Magpies 6.4.40

Canada Bay Cannons co-captain Joshua scored an inspirational running goal 20 seconds from full-time to snatch a four-point victory over a dogged Western Suburbs outfit at Picken Oval today.

In dour, slippery conditions the Magpies’ good basic football and hunger at the ball kept them in the match against the second-placed Cannons.

The visitors’ normally strong ball-handling skills had abandoned them for the most part of the match.

“We were sloppy today,” coach Dean Lee said after the match. “And it’s an area we need to improve on if we are to beat the stronger teams.

“After a slow start to the season last year, we came good around this time to make the finals. We can do it again but we have to be hungrier at the ball,” he said.

The Cannons did just enough today to escape with a win.

There were very good patches of play but the strong, well-directed kicks, thoughtful handballs and hard tackling – hallmarks of the Cannons’ match efforts of the past three games wasn’t on show against an under-manned Magpies.

The home-team kept their game plan simple: boot to ball and moving it forward. And they rattled the Cannons early who struggled to find their rhythm in the first quarter.

There were great passages of play from Ed, Joel and Joshua out of the centre, from Pat in the forwards and Jaden in defence but Wests were resilient. They earned turnovers in their defensive half and mounted their attack quickly.

Four minutes in, the homeside kicked their first goal.

A minute later Cannons’ Joel scored one back after some great lead-up work from Joshua, Jack and George.

When the silky-skilled Joel gathered a loose ball and slotted his second within 60 seconds, it looked as though the Cannons were away. But the Magpies would not give in.

After a glut of possession in their forward arc, they kicked the equalizing goal at the 13-minute mark and took the match to the first break 2.2.14 apiece.

With clouds closing in overhead and a light drizzle making the ball as slippery as soap, the match descended into a struggle for clean possession in the second term.

While there were bright moments through Jack, Daniel, Matt, Jaden and Jasper, play was lack-lustre.

Wests edged ahead with a goal and a behind to the Cannons’ two points.

Coach Lee challenged his players at the long break to unload the ball quickly, get back to basics with long kicks out of the contests.

And it appeared to work not long after the siren to resume play had sounded. The Cannons’ dependable midfielders stepped up through Joshua, Jack, Pat and Joel.

Fullback Jasper, playing a cameo in the forward line, kicked a goal just one minute in.

Jack followed with another at the four-minute mark, then Daniel broke through the pack to score one just two minutes later.

Wests regained their composure in the latter stages of the third term and managed a long-range running goal of their own to keep them in the match at just 11 points adrift of the visitors.

They took this momentum into the final quarter, scoring a goal in the opening minutes to cut the deficit to four points.

Another goal by the home team late in the quarter had them in front by just two and a whiff of a major upset in their nostrils.

The Cannons had their chances in attack but the Magpies were equal to the task.

Then with just seconds to goal, Joshua played on from a mark 40m from home and slotted the match-winner for Canada Bay. A real Houdini act.

Though it wasn’t the Cannons prettiest win, it was well fought in the end.

Good passages of play from Jonothan, Matt, Jaden, Jasper, Hugo and Daniel. Cassidy was good in the ruck until he injured ankle and was forced from the game.

Goals: 
Joel 2, Jasper 1, Jack 1, Daniel 1, Joshua 1

U15/3 v Manly Pittwater Bombers, Round 10

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UNDER 15 Division 3 Canada Bay Dockers v Manly Pittwater Bombers

ROUND 10, Weldon Park

Canada Bay Dockers 4-7-31 defeated Manly Pittwater 0-6-6

It is perhaps somewhat fitting that Canada Bay Dockers U15/3 broke their duck in weather more suited to ducks.

The Manly Bombers were heroic and the final score of 4-7-31 to 0-6-6 belied what was anything but a walk in the park.

In the first quarter, our ruckmen asserted themselves early and moved the ball into the forward line but the Bomber defence was having none of it, and cleared the ball after a stacks on skirmish.

A Bomber kick or two later, and Gully took an overhead mark that most would expect to be a ball for the crumbers. The ball was returned for our forwards to contest and some scrapping and snapping brought about our first score.

The ball was soaking up water and Canada Bay’s defence was soaking up Bomber running pressure, but Bryson would concede only a miserly behind. The scores were even and you just know Steven is going to get a mention.

The arm wrestle continued with the boys using a mix of brute force and finesse to secure our first goal. Brute force applied by Mitchell and Jack and finesse courtesy of William. At quarter time, we hit the lead, with the boys ticking all the boxes.

As the game progressed, the ball got heavier and handling became very difficult. Trying to get the ball on the outside of the ruck to open up the field was proving very difficult and many handballs missed the mark or were deemed throws.

So the boys traded flair and overhead marks for “get it on the boot” and a practical chest marks. With slippery ground underfoot, player turning circles were bigger than a team of 18 bullocks and wheeling out of the pack became a rarity. The battles across each line were great to watch and the key position players called on their flanks, pockets and wings to get to the fall of the ball and keep driving it forward.

The contest was slowly going our way and we scored several more behinds, small reward for such great effort, and easily nullified with just one straight kick. The Bombers had several such chances but were denied by Diesel standing alone in the goal square. Reset rather than rebound, the backs pushed the ball forward and we were eventually rewarded with George bringing up the double pistols and two very welcome flags.

Canada Bay had a 13-point lead going into the final quarter – job certainly not done. Coach Michael exhorted the boys to believe in themselves and keep reproducing the effort.

Several passages of play went unrewarded, denied by the last line of defence or a ball that stopped dead in a puddle. But effort does produce results and Liam F knocked in goal after some great tackling and Georgie boy got a second goal with his team mates making great second efforts.

Brilliant work, lads, and what a joy to hear those Dockers fire up!

The team would like to thank the U14s and U15/1s who backed-up for their support. We thrive in your company and your experience helps us bring a better physical and mental game to the paddock.

A big thank you to Adrian Walton and Bruce Wrigley for backing up and performing the goal umpiring and boundary duties.