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.

Cannons Under 12 Div 2 round 11 v Glebe, June 26

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Cannons Under 12 Div 2 v Glebe

Round 11, Sunday 26 June

Drummoyne Oval

The numbers on the scoreboard were impressive, but the numbers on the thermometer had us all shivering.

The mercury struggled to reach six degrees as we made our way to a bracing Drummoyne Oval where we were confronted with no coffee cart and a wind chill factor that made it feel even colder.

So it was left to the kids to warm the crowd up with some pretty hot footy against Glebe after taking a quarter to thaw out.
We dominated possession early but couldn’t quite reap the rewards that efforts like Nic’s attack on the footy and Blake’s courage deserved.

Eventually the weight of possession was converted when Ben M, playing as a big target up forward, kicked the first of his four goals. Glebe answered quickly and scores were locked at 1.1 apiece at quarter time.

With the sun finally over Gladesville bridge and some warmth on their backs, the Cannons took control in the second quarter, kicking six goals to nil to virtually wrap up the match before halftime.

The goals all came at the end of terrific passages of play, most of which involved Cooper who not only marked everything that came his way and kicked with great skill, but chased, tackled and smothered all day.

Twice he combined with Alex who used his brain to move the ball quickly and set up Ben to run into open goals, while James read a

Glebe kickout beautifully to intercept and lay on a goal for Cooper who danced around a few defenders on the boundary before kicking a banana.

Will, as always, kept competing and scrapping and was rewarded with a goal while Hugh took a strong mark and kicked truly and

Alex finished the quarter with a determined chase and tackle that earned him a free kick and a goal.

While Ben was a dominant presence up forward, Tom rucked and competed tirelessly and one fearless contest for a loose ball in the middle ended with another goal to Alex.

It was a thorough all-round performance that featured plenty of skills and clever footy but, more importantly, also relied on the gutsy little things that win you tight games. Even with the game well and truly decided late in the final quarter, Dom and Matty were still chasing and tackling, Ben C was throwing himself into the ruck contests and Thea kept running and competing.
When we return from the school holidays, we’ll need every part of our game to click as we head into the final stretch of the season.

Goals: Ben M 4, Alex 2, Cooper 1, Thea 1, Will 1, Finlay 1, Hugh 1.

U12 Div 2 v Pennant Hills

Cannons Under 12 Div 2, Round 10

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Canada Bay Cannons U12 Div 2 v Pennant Hills

Round 10, Sunday 19 June, Ern Holmes Oval

Canada Bay Cannons 4-10 (34) def by Pennant Hills 6-3 (39)

We were seconds away from doing it again.

After fighting so hard in torrential rain for so long to finally get our noses in front, it all came down to a sodden three minute arm wrestle.

Going into the last quarter with the scores locked at 32 points each, a scruffy, skidding rushed behind put us one point ahead with three minutes to go after trailing by nearly two goals early in the third quarter.

The final three minutes was enthralling, an intense and fierce battle as 30 kids from both sides threw themselves at the footy, at each other and into the mud and puddles in a desperate contest for the footy.

Matty pulled off tackle after tackle, the rain couldn’t dampen Cooper’s skills, Paddy was at the bottom of every pack, Connor was impassable in defence, Damo drove the ball forward.

For two and a half minutes the ball went back and forth and through the puddles on the members’ wing; the result hinging on a tackle, a smother, a hopeful kick forward.

It looked like time was on our side and we were going to hold on for another thrilling one point win.

With the seconds counting down, the ball spat out of a contest on the wing and tumbled into the Pennant Hills forward line and, all of a sudden, they kicked a terrific goal out of a pack to regain the lead.

But, as always, our kids never give in. With 15 seconds left, Tom, Nic and Paddy combined at the centre bounce and scrambled the ball forward to within 20 metres of goal and anything looked possible but, just as the ball spilled loose, the siren blew.

Who knows what would have happened if the game had another 20 seconds in it?

We’ve won a few tight ones and now we’ve lost one but, whatever the result, the kids should be very proud of the way they fought hard and never gave up in a great display of hard, wet weather footy.

It all started in light rain and we got off to a flyer with two goals to Finlay and one to Alex in the opening term to take a two point lead into quarter time.

But as the heavens opened in the second term, the kids struggled to adjust and could only manage four behinds as Penno kicked straight and took control to lead by six points at halftime.

Coach Tony called for a greater effort in the second half and got it. But it took time. Slowly we worked our way back into the game as everyone lived up to their halftime promise to Tony to have a crack and the momentum finally swung our way.

We chipped away and when Alex kicked a long range special to lock the scores, the stage was set for a thrilling final term.

As the crowd sat in luxury under a tin roof while the brains trust impersonated drowned rats, the kids put on a show which proved footy in the wet can be just as beautiful as in perfect conditions.

We must thank Hornsby council and Pennant Hills footy club for keeping the ground open and giving the kids such a rare experience and muddy knees.

A full photo gallery is available at: www.canadabaycannons.com.au/photos.

CANADA BAY 4.10.34

Goals; Finlay 2, Alex 2

PENNANT HILLS 6.3.39

 

 

U17 Div 3 Canada Bay Dockers v St Ives, Round 10

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UNDER 17 Division 3 Canada Bay Dockers v Manly Pittwater

ROUND 10, Sunday 19 June
Weldon Park

Canada Bay Dockers 5-10 (40) defeated by St Ives 7-5 (47).

Round 10 and our ninth game for the season and the third time we’ve played St Ives at ELS.

With the impending threat of the second East Coast low in a fortnight the game was played in fine weather or a fine mist for most of the fixture. Given how wet it got for a while towards the end, the phrase “one that got away” has a certain aquatic consistency.

As usual we started slowly giving St Ives a near match winning lead midway through the second quarter. We jagged a couple of long goals late in the piece and went into the long break three straight kicks down.

The team responded in the third quarter and got back to within a kick and then got the score tied up early in the last quarter.

But St Ives found a way to force the ball forward and made the last two scoring shots and won by seven points.

It wasn’t a day for marking forwards and the back-men ruled the day.

Some highlights of the day: Gator Wresting, Turtle Catching TV shows? Watch out, Rory B took to the conditions as if he was auditioning for a role. In addition bombed an outrageous long distance goal from the boundary in the second quarter. Best game he’s played. Another swamp rat who was in, under and sometimes submerged throughout the game Tim R looked to be having a ball.

Ben C and Tyler F were productive all day; Luke G had a barnstorming game; Samuel P provided plenty of endeavour and Ben R kept making a contest

As usual Harrison G rucked all day and was the best big man on the ground.

Ehsen S played an exceptional game, Oscar S provided a consistent goal scoring avenue all game and in my view was our best forward on the day. Conditions suited Nicholas T, who had his best game for the Dockers so far.

Congrats to Dylan S who played his 100th game of AFL.

U15 Div 1 v Manly

U15 Div 1 v Manly Pittwater, Round 10

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U15-1 Canada Bay Cannons vs Manly/Pittwater Bombers

Round 10, Weldon Park

With the season tally of one win each, it was always going to be a close match as Cannons 15-1s returned to Weldon.

From the bounce it was clear it would be an arm wrestle as the rain and mud made clean marks and fast runs hard to find.

It was also clear that the Cannons had come to play, with every player throwing himself into the game.

From the start Louis M led the defence, as the back line scrambled to make goals hard to come by for Manly. Tommy played hard footy all day, and Josh H started strongly, instrumental in getting the ball forward resulting in two goals for Cannons. Quarter time: Cannons 13 Manly 8.

Manly then came out strongly and played two dominant quarters with nine scoring shots to two through to three quarter time. Was this to be another match where Cannons lost concentration in the middle and gave the match away? Not this time, as every Cannons player dug deep and forced Manly into kicking errors.

Jordan was notable winning the rucks, and the Joshes combining on the wings to force the ball wide.

Despite Manly dominating, they went into three quarter time only seven points ahead.

Again the fitness of the Cannons showed through as they started to get more ball into the forwards. Luke G was rewarded for his tireless efforts, playing on arguably the best U15 player in the comp, with two goals and a behind. With only minutes left, first Cannons, then Manly took the lead by 2 points.

Then the siren sounded. Cannons down by 2. Players coming off, officials and parents on. But what’s this? The Cannons’ frenetic attack in the last minutes had paid off, the umpire had blown a free kick in Cannons favour.

Thirty metres out, close to the boundary line in pouring rain with a ball like concrete. Who else but Luke G to kick the sealer! Cannons win by four points!

Hard though it is to pick stars in a game when every player tried so hard, Liam D joining the game in the third quarter with fresh legs and fearless tackling undoubtedly lifted the team.

The defensive line was hammered all match yet continued to push back every Manly advance, Ben W’s uniform completely covered in mud and Josh G an effective goal keeper.

Aaron played his best match so far this season, never giving up and instrumental in turning the ball around.

Brendan and Angus repeatedly gave second and third efforts.

And, of course, the boundary umpires Dave and Bruce who braved the mud, and Adrian for goal umpiring and his extravagant wave to signal the winning goal.

Well done, boys. Still well in the hunt for a finals’ berth.

Photo gallery online at www.canadabaycannons.com.au/photos

U12/2 v Cronulla

Cannons Under 12 Div 2, Round 8

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Cannons U12 Div 2 v Cronulla Sharks

Round 8, 29 May

Gwawley Oval

The sharks were circling Gwawley Oval, but yet again these Cannons showed they’ll shrug off any creature.

It was tough early, but with composure beyond their years, the Cannons took control to record another solid win. The backs and the midfielders led the way to start with and then the mids took the forwards with them to finish it off.

The boys withstood a challenging first quarter in which Cronulla came out hard and fast and dominated possession, kicking an early goal.

Our defence was under extreme pressure, but held up superbly. Ben and Jerry have created a new flavour – smother and tackle, topped with clearing kicks. Along with Connor and Damo, who mopped up brilliantly across half back, they were strong and held off the early onslaught until the momentum swung our way.

Damo’s first, second and third efforts were inspiring as he constantly fought for the ball and repelled the Sharks.

Tom took on the ruck work, and more. He chased and shepherded and tackled, while Nic worked his way into the game and was doing a mountain of tough work.

The headgear twins Cooper and Paddy combined in the middle and around the ground as they were winning us the hardball and setting the forwards up.­

They worked the ball through Alex who sent a bullet pass to Finlay who kicked our first goal late in the opening term and we went into the first break a couple of points down.

All that hard work and perseverance was starting to pay off and the rewards came in a dominant second quarter.

Cooper got it started as his silky evasive and foot skills sent the ball forward for Alex to kick the first of his six goals for the day (this week’s trick: one of those bendy dribble goals from the boundary).

Nic, Cooper, Damo and Paddy were dictating play as we took control of the game and, after two more goals to Alex and another to Finlay, we were well on top at halftime.

Blake was creative, Manfred threw himself into the tackles and Xavier kept providing a contest at either end of the ground.

It was Liam’s turn to influence the game in the third term, his intercept marks and attack on the ball setting up a couple of goals for Alex and James. Damo’s rebound off half back ended in Alex’s hands and another goal, while Archie’s pressure was crucial as we stretched our lead in the third term and fended off a mini Cronulla fightback.

A real sign of character is the way these kids finish a game off and, after quarter time, they extended the lead at each break. Another couple of goals in the final term, fittingly to Cooper and Alex, wrapped up a hard earned win.

CANADA BAY 10.5.65

Goals: Alex DP 6, Finlay 2, Cooper 1, James 1

 

U14-2 v Cronulla

Cannons U14, Round 7

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U14 Division 2 v Cronulla Sharks

Round 7, 22 May 2016, Drummoyne Oval

Canada Bay Cannons 4.10.34 d Cronulla Sharks 4.7.31

The Canada Bay Cannons’ relentless desperation in the contests frustrated the Cronulla Sharks out of a three-point thriller at Drummoyne Oval on Sunday.

The Cannons produced their best, most mature quarter of the season to haul in a deficit with just five minutes remaining and hold on in a match worthy of a grand final preview.

“Everyone just lifted when it mattered in the end”, coach Dean Lee told the post-match huddle. “In the backline and around the centre, they all did their job. They were hard at the ball, with their heads over it the whole time in that last quarter … And that was the difference today,” he said.

The home side had trailed for most of the low-scoring match.

Cronulla took a hard-earned nine-point advantage going into the last term but that fell away during an absorbing struggle around the ball – neither side willing to surrender without a fight.

Then Cannons’ big centre half forward Jordan swooped on a loose ball to goal and snatch the lead with five minutes to go. From there it was a character-building battle of wills.

The Cannons won 34-31 to retain their place on top of the premiership ladder after seven rounds.

The match was always going to be tight.

The undefeated Cannons against the third-placed Sharks and Lee’s pre-match warning that this was going to be this team’s toughest challenge so far this season was a reality within the opening minutes.

It was a hard, unforgiving first quarter that for the most part, was played in Cannons’ forward line.

And while both teams gave it everything around the ground-ball contests, the real difference early was in the forward 50 efficiencies.

The Cannons netted 11 points from six scoring shots to the Sharks three goals from three straight kicks. The home side was criticised for their rushed shots while Cronulla looked slick as they found their key targets around the ground.

Canada Bay was dominant around the centre through Joshua, Joel, Jack and Patrick who kept the forward line well fed.

And when the ball was pushed back by Cronulla they were met with a wall of strength in the shape of Michael, Jaden and Sebastian.

The second term started like the first. A glut of territorial advantage for the Cannons through the enterprising football particularly around the midfield.

Patrick, Joshua and Joel were in control but again the forward line could not convert the advantage, landing just 1.4.10 for the term.

Nonetheless, this was a term that showcased superb football from both teams – strong aerial skills, penetrating kicks and solid tackling.

But this time, the Cannons’ back six through Michael, Matt , Sebastian and Gus shut the Sharks down and kept them scoreless. The home side took a slender three-point lead into the long break.

Cronulla’s fast-moving forwards were frustrated out of the contest in the vital third term.

While the Cannons themselves were held scoreless they didn’t let the visitors get any easy shots in. The Sharks netted 12 points from seven scoring shots.

With just nine points separating the two teams, the last quarter was set up for a grandstand finish. The Cannons came out firing.

With strong running from Jack and support by George, the ball was fed to Joel who was lurking in front of goals. He made no mistake, slotting a major to get Canada Bay within three points.

And with Jordan’s sealer eight minutes later, the crowd erupted.

“It felt good to win like that,” Lee said after the game. “The boys should be proud of their effort.

“It was the test we needed as head into another tough match next week against Maroubra/Moore Park.”

Goals: George 1, Patrick 1, Joel 1, Jordan 1.

Cannons U12-3, Round 7

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U12 Div 3 v Westbrook

Round 7, 22 May 2016, Drummoyne Oval

It was evident at the pre-game spiel that Div 3 was in for a big day on the paddock. The game plan was to win the ball through tackling, going in hard and being first to the ball.

From the first bounce the signs were promising. The engine room made up of Tank, Whitey, Dominator, Alex, Jezza, Brayden, Frizzy, Ozzy, and Gab ran hard all day and kept the opposition thinking twice when attempting to get the ball with some solid tackles being applied across the park.

The backline held steady and kept our opposition scoreless for almost the first half with some determination shown by Jack, Ben, Luke, Max, and Declan.

Our forwards led well resulting in some impressive pack marks and our key target Charlie M, capitalising on every opportunity.

Also some excellent work from a very talented flashy forward in Hugh, snapping one of the best goals of his career from the sideline. Josh L also played the best game of his career, his work rate and intensity around the ball was the best I have seen.

All in all, some very positive signs of improvement across the playing group.

Cannons U15-1, Round 7

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Canada Bay Cannons U15 Div 1 v Easts

Round 7, Sunday 22 May 2016, Drummoyne Oval

The U/15-1s had their long awaited clash with their opponents from last season’s Grand Final, East Sydney Bulldogs, at a sunny Drummoyne Oval.

Despite Cannons’ home ground advantage, Easts dominated early with all the play in the first 10 minutes, Ben W leading the defence to restrict the scoring. A spectacular flying mark by Josh G turned the tide, 3 quicks goals to Cannons and into the first break leading 18-8.

Easts came out strongly again in the second quarter, using their height advantage and making better use of space when they had the ball in hand. Despite this there were passages of solid play from the Cannons – with highlights a banana kick goal from Tommy, and Josh P using his speed and tenacity to guard his wing. Half time Easts Bulldogs 5 point lead.

The second half saw a much tighter game. Cannons played to the game plan in the third quarter, holding possession and turning the ball back inside to create overlaps and using their speed and fitness to claw back into the game including a double side stop goal to Gus. Scores tied at 49 each at the final break. Easts dug in just that bit harder in the final quarter, and with more scoring shots, clung onto a 5 point win.

It was a match where numerous players had brief flashes of good play, but also had moments where a lack of attack at the ball or not concentrating on executing the important stuff. And at this level, each drop in intensity from the Cannons is met by the opposition scoring.

The good news is that the team holds onto 3rd place after Round 7, so still in finals contention. Coach Greg will make sure the boys get back to their consistent best doing what they have proven they can do and do well, ready for a trip to Manly next weekend.

Special mention to both Josh L and Patrick B for helping out. Patrick had an impressive 15-1 debut, including kicking a beauty from the pocket under pressure. Jordan also impressive with his ruck work against a much bigger opponent, with Josh G, Josh P, Luke L and Luke W having solid matches.