The Under 9's 2007 season archive.

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Match report June 30 Vs Drummoyne Under9s A game of football starts a long time before the players run onto the field and a football team consists of more contributors than just those players. And so it was that team manager Henry found himself flattened by a beaut behind-the-play hip-and-shoulder before the first siren on the day the 9s took on Drummoyne. Henry, as every parent knows, has the difficult off field tagging role which involves rounding up people for canteen duty. This particular morning he found a rarely sighted parent and made his usual suave approach. Henry is, as we all know, a silver-tongued devil. “Hey, darl how would you feel about putting in some time selling sausages?” he said. Alas Henry was rejected in a way he hasn’t been since he was a 17 year old art student on the make. Unperturbed (he had plenty of practice with knock backs as a young man) Henry showed the Newtown never-say-die spirit, got back on his feet and went to work on the parent in question and had them selling sausages and snakes before you could say “go swans”. Well done Henry! The players were almost as good on the field piling on over 20 goals for the game. Zac, Michael and Harry got three each, Louis, Ryan & Sam L got pairs and 4 team mates kicked singles. Ahmad, Hamish, Isaac, Fred, Ryan, Daniel and Matthew all contributed to part of a convincing team effort. Coach Bill was impressed by the effort. "Todays game saw our best efforts at handpassing,” he said. “More often than not, we were able to get the ball down the right end of the field, keeping control by handpassing as opposed to kicking. "Our confidence was high as the score mounted which led to more running and handpassing. "I'd like to see more of the goalscorer high-fiveing or back slapping the player that delivered either the last handpass or the kick. "Thanks guys for putting up a great display of TEAMWORK".

Match report July 7th Vs Concord/Easts Under9s 'The under 9's turned up to play Concord/Easts at Goddard. The match was the postponed round 9 game called off due to bad weather. Concord were there, but where the heck were the Easts Bulldogs. Match time loomed and still no sign of Easts. A corum of Newtown parents made comment that perhaps Easts decided a game against the undefeated Swans was perhaps not the best way to spend a Saturday during school holidays, or perhaps butting one's head against a brick wall was not what they wanted on a cold Winters morn. Nonetheless, Concord and Newtown squared off and suffice to say, although Concord tried hard and had help from Declan and another Newtown 8's player who volunteered to play for Concord, there was really no match. We won't harp on the point, however Concord did not score a point the whole game whilst Newtown took turns potting goal after goal. The team played well especially in the 2nd & 3rd thirds when there was some terrific handpassing. Unfortunately, for some other inexplicable reason, we could not catch the ball today. We will have to work hard on this most important aspect of our game. By games end, the fixture was quite boring for both teams, but that's footy, and we can't do much about it after the game has commenced. 5 of our players had been asked to play up in the under 10's, due to number shortages, so our post match talk, song and awards were a non event, and we missed Henry who organises this aspect of our day. Anyway, another resounding win was had, and we hope that next week's game again V Easts @ Goddard will test our players. Cheer Cheer the Red & the White. Thanks Bill

Match report June 23. Under9s Somehow, in the middle of the longest wet patch since Noah knocked up his ark, someone let the sun and the Swans 9s out on this glorious Saturday for what was another shining performance against the Glebe greyhounds. What a pity the senior Swans could not put in a similar effort later that day against the similarly coloured Magpies. For one reason or another the 9s were a little short on numbers and so coach Bill went cap in hand to the 8s where he was able to borrow the services of Declan, Lawrence and Johnny. It was a well chosen trio. As a result Fred Pawle The Elder got to watch both his off-spring, Freddy and Johnny, running around in the same match and the crowd were delighted to see the siblings waxing late in the game. These two are to the Swans what the Abletts are to the Cats! Freddy jr kicked a remarkable goal, running out of the centre of the ground and launching into the ball from a long way out and Johnny was constantly in-and-under. The game was rough and a little willing that morning and our team seemed unsettled early, but they soon found their rhythm and confidence. Michael again showed that he has a lot of football smarts and is a clever player in and around a pack. He kicked the last goal of the game and is showing great potential. Another player who refused to give up all day was Matthew who played a tagging role on a bad tempered opponent but refused to be intimidated. He mightn’t have got a kick but he laid many a tackle and made his opponent earn every one. Mate, when it comes to join the 10s I think you might find yourself playing a Brett Kirk role stopping the show-pony midfielders! Harry is in a rare patch of form and took two screamers during the game that would have made the video highlights package if we had one and one of them and would be up there for mark of the year if we gave such awards. His steady work around the mid field and passing were excellent. Declan and Lawrence both punched above their weight, although not in a literal sense. Zac didn’t see a lot of the ball but when it was in his neighbourhood he owned it and his long kicking is something to see Hamish was again hard at it and shows some class and Daniel is shaping up as a gun forward. Louis is always a vote winner and while he might have had more kicks in other games there was a goal late in this one that had the Newtown parents roaring with delight. We want to see a lot more of them mate. Sam also put in another good game and is turning into a reliable footballer who would win his place in any side. Nobody wants to pick fault with the 9s outfit but there are areas they could improve. There’s a feeling that to take it to the next level and be truly elite they have to look to pass a little more and not rely so much on the players down field winning the contested ball. The game was willing and it took the team a little while to adapt to some of the interpretations but the 9s stuck at it and made the most of it and Bill was happy with their effort. "I was pleased there was no arguing with the ump at Saturday's game, even though some of our players believed some Glebe players were getting away with tackling,” he said after the match. “We must always play the whistle and respect the volunteer umpires right to make unintentional mistakes.” Bill conceded that the team had to start concentrating on its team work. “Lets continue to look for a team mate in a better position to either handball or short kick to. Well played again against Glebe," he said. Anyway, before we go it’s worth a passing thought for the Glebe Greyhounds and their terrible lot. One of their players returned home quite upset that Saturday. When asked by their mother why the player said “not only do we have to play a game against a team that wears the Swans colours, we then have to walk home wearing a bloody Collingwood jumper”.

UNDER 9 MATCH REPORT June 2nd 2007 The Newtown Under 9s faced their first Saturday without the rhythm of Ringo but did not miss a beat putting in a commanding performance against the Wests. On a sunny Autumn Saturday, with the smells of the bbq drifting across the ADO, the Under 9 side proved it is one of the brightest hopes of the Newtown Swans by putting on a showcase display of individual talents and wonderful team work. The team showed early they were not going to let poor old Wests into the game with Harry and Zac kicking four goals each in the first term and setting up a big lead. The pair played a great game all day but there were plenty of players putting their hands up for inclusion in the highlights package. Louis put in his best effort of the year at this level. Michael was magnificent and one of his goals on the run will be talked about for some time at ADO. Ahmed is only playing his first year of AFL but has turned out to be one of the most reliable and intuitive players in the side. He is the safest mark you’ll see, passes well and also piled up four goals while in the forward line. All the players contributed on the day, with the Sams operating in stereo and Fred showing admirable courage to come back on for the last term even though he’d been cleaned up in the middle of the match on the rock hard centre wicket. You suspect he didn’t want to miss a minute of what was easily the team’s best effort of the year. And you wonder why their coach Bill has that Cheshire cat grin …

Match report for 25/5/07 V Glebe at ADO; It was another perfect autumn day @ ADO and the under 9's were geared, as always, for a stellar performance. No loses for the year to date, has allowed the talented 9's to build enormous self belief and confidence in their own and their fellow team mates abilities to continue the rout of all opponents. The game started with a flash of leatheras the backs and then centres continuously moved the ball to the forward line where Harry potted 3 great goals. One could see in the eyes of the Glebe players that this was going to be another difficult day, as was the last match the 2 teams played. At the ball up our boys never failed to smash the ball towards the goal area that really mattered. The 1st third came and went with Newtown running amok and the score liine (if there was one) was mounting. The second third also came and went the way of the first. Newtown had potted 11 unanswered goals and with 2 minutes remaining in the match, Glebe finally through some great skills got 1 back. Another sterling performance from all concerned. We bade farewell to Ringo Taylor who is off overseas and won't be back until next season. We are going to miss the little fella, but we know that all our other team members will step up to the mark to ensure we can send positive emails to Ringo while he is away. Henry (our manager) had arranged for Ringo to be chaired off the field whilst his team mates sung the Swans anthem and had also arranged a farwell cake, which was very much appreciated by all concerned. We did allocate our normal match certificates (kindly supplied by Martin Fane) but would like to keep that between our team members and their parents. The buzz in the team is infectious and it appears obvious that this group will march onwards to victory not only this year but in the coming years. Cheer Cheer the under 9's red & white.

Match Report 31st March 2007 to come

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The Under 9's 2006 season archive.

Under 9's match report Sunday 13th Geez it was good to get the Sherrin in hand for a proper game. What with all the disruptions due to weather, unavailabilty of training grounds, coaching staff either on scouting missions down south of the border, laid low by the dreaded winter bug or distracted, hob-nobbing in 5 star restaurants, it was all hand on deck for our first game in what seemed like an eternity. And so it was back to the Magpie's Nest to face the always formidable Wests team. We were at full strength, give or take a couple of players recovering from colds, and had our game faces on. It was a good start to the match, plenty of ball, often in good field position, but it what was to sum up the match, we just couldn't convert this position into goals. Without referring to the stats, I would guess that shots on goal were just about even between both teams. They scored, we didn't! Nevertheless, it was a whole hearted effort and we took the game right down to the final minute. Moreover, we can walk away from the match confident that we should get 'em over the next couple of weeks during the end-of-season round robin tournament. Perhaps the most satisfying thing is that our team is taking training skills and tactics into the game and carrying them out. Further, players who have in the past found getting touches and making disposals a little tough, are now starting to play with confidence and making a more than worthwhile contribution. I am sure that a confident effort next week, backing ourselves to take that kick, playing on quickly when possible, staying alive in defence, and a continuation of our dogged defence will see us enjoy some end of season success. Well done guys, lets enjoy the next few weeks - its a long off-season. Michael Doherty ps get down and support the under 10's this Saturday at Goddard Oval.

Under 9's report 15.0.7.2006 The weather and end of school holidays seemed to conspire to ensure that we were understrength against the might of the Easts Bulldogs today. There is no doubt that the Bulldogs players always bring their 'A' game to 'the Pond' - and they didn't disappoint today. That we were short a couple of players just made it more difficult. But let's not dwell too long on this as our team, as always, did us proud. When our home ground actually resembles a pond as it did today it certainly makes for some interesting football. The wind seemed to come and go, and we had some showers throughout the game. However, despite these climatic hazards, the 9s played above themselves. Some good ruckwork out of the middle by Michael, Jacob, Djanala, and Jonny was supported by some good on-ball stuff by Curtis, Jay, and Cian. We seemed to be able to get the ball, but putting it 'downtown' and into scoring position was made difficult by some 'dogged' - (get it!) Bulldog defence. The fast paced passing game employed by Easts, along with some excellent kicking was enjoyable to watch but tough for the Newtown coaching staff as we seemed to never be able to put enough defenders in place to shut them down. Valiant efforts by Banjo, Riley, Daniel, and Sal made the Doggies work hard for every point scored. Hats off to our team today, it was difficult conditions and you tried your hearts out. Michael Doherty

The Under 9's had great day out at the SCG showing off their skills to the huge crowd.

Under 9's match report 17. June 2006 I am going to fess up right from the outset - I love our games against Drummoyne! There I got it off my chest. You may be intrigued why I feel this way and even if you are not I'm going to tell you anyway. The two teams are of equal ability, its always a close game, both teams love a scrap, and even when you think we've got 'em, they come back at you. So we headed west to Concord, the coach a little late after being geographically embarrased (although another member of the coaching staff almost had valuable team members playing a game of Rugby instead donning the red and white because he went to the wrong ground completely!) to face the Power. Something felt right today. The warm up was good, everyone completed their drill exactly as they should, ran through the supporters tunnel and faced up to the boys and girls from Drummoyne. Looks good I thought to myself. Looks can deceive - we actually started a little slow. We were getting our ball out of the middle but for one reason or another we invented ways to turn the ball over. It was neck and neck at the first break thanks to the efforts of Jacob, Michael, Djanala and Banjo providing us with enough ball to win a thousand games. How to start the quarter time address? Come in close guys and listen up, we need to respect the ball more, work to our game plan, keep our heads up when we go after the ball in defence and hunt in packs when we have the ball. Its all about having options. Hope that works. Well whack a red and white jumper on me and call me Barry Hall if these kids didn't go out in the next two quarters and play their best game of the season. Curtis remembered that he played a good game agianst the Power in the wet last year - Alexander's last game apparently ( and wouldn't I be happy to fly him up from Melbourne each week to play for us) - and decided that he would do the same today. Bryn thought that he might take this captaincy thing seriously and play his last game of the season like it was his last game of football ever. I actually had to take the ball out of his hands at the end of each quarter cause he wouldn't give it up otherwise. Louis and Harry remembered that they had as much skill in their little finger as most of us have in our whole bodies. I love watching them play and learn more from watching them than they will ever learn from me. We were a bit stiff in not kicking a couple of more goals, but you couldn't fault the effort and commitment from everyone. Across the park we ran, passed, kicked as a TEAM. Heck it even seemed that we were looking at each other when we passed the ball bewteen ourselves. Our defence scrambled and disrupted the Power whenever they thought they had it over us. So to those mentioned above add Daniel, Riley, Jay, Dominic, Jonny and Djanala. Take a bow the lot of you. You stood up today and were busier than scoreboard attendant in the last ten minutes of Socceroos World Cup match last weekend. You may also have noticed that there were only 13 names mentioned above and that we played short for the entire game. Your efforts in doing this should give you all the confidence to take on those Greyhounds at ADO next weekend - photo weekend apparently. So get a haircut, gel up, and polish your boots to look your best before the game cause the Dishlickers love to play us. You won't look so neat and tidy after we take them on. We owe them a good one and need to make sure that they leave the Pond licking their wounds. Finally, thanks to Pete and Raya for their umpiring skills, Carlos our runner, Graham at training and Kathleen for making sure we look spick and span each week in our 'OMOd' jumpers. Finally, get well Chicka we need you and the boy back. Michael Doherty

Under 9's report 27th may at ADO Well, the draw said that we were up against the Cats, Concord that is, but instead it was our rivals the 'Dogs who faced up at the 'Pond'. So it was necessary to re-evaluate our detailed match plan and make the necessary adjustments to tame those Dogs. As always Easts came to play. The skillful, quick passing, fast paced game is always a challenge for our team and this time we handled it quite well - even if the umpire found it tough going to keep up with the play. Our regular umpire was called away to 'higher' duties on the literary circuit, but assures me that he will fulfil contractual umpire requirements next home game - fortunately. With Coach Bartley's words echoing in their ears, 'They hunt in packs team, we have to be there to match them', Newtown Swans' defensive mettle was tested. Solid efforts by Aaron, Harrison, Banjo, Curtis, Louis and Harry ensured that all Easts goals were hard earned. Equally tough midfield efforts by Riley, despite copping one on the 'snoz', Dominic, Jackson, Jesse, Jonny, Djanala and Harry meant that we got reasonable quality ball when it counted. Competitive work in the forward line by Michael, Daniel, and Harry kept us in the hunt. Hang on, Harry has been mentioned in all three zones, he isn't triplets so that must mean he WON'T STAY IN HIS ZONE, despite the coach's pleas. Special mention to Sal who played injured, until he could go on no more and sought greater comfort in the bench. So all in all another good effort from the Newtown Swans. Thanks to Coach Bartley, Graham, Kathleen and Peter for their efforts getting us on the park each week, the team appreciates all that you do. The Bulldogs are a good team all over the park and we put on a show worthy of our club. Its the Maroubra mob this week and we will once again have to to be on our game because whilst they are few in number, their efforts are worthy of any of our opposition, and it will be game on. Michael Doherty

Under 9's Match report 20.5.06 It was back to the Greyhound's Kennel for our second clash with Glebe this season. Things started out well enough players seemed ready, good warm-up, attentive in the team meeting. As they say in boxing - lets git (sic) it on then Bro! Did someone say something nasty about Greyhounds not being as good a dog as Beagles or Malteses? Maybe a loose comment about how well we played last week against the Magpies and that we were therefore the best bet since Mundine to beat Green? Anyway, the Greyhounds were fired up and came out like they wanted to put us to the sword in the first third/quarter. It was shortly raining ... goals that is as Glebe got off to a flier. They seemed to have two plyers to our one everywhere on the field. We would drop the ball and there would be a Glebe player ready to swoop (sorry bird analogies still seem to flow from the computer after last week's game) and then it was down to the Glebe forward line before you could say ' Who let the Dogs out?' - no I've used that one already! Anyway it was down there really fast. But lets not dwell on the Glebe efforts. This after all is a Newtown Swans report. We played well in patches. Good passing when we took our time was supported by using the length and width of the field every now and again and with the occasional goal it was a fair day out. We are playing well and with a bit of confidence in ourselves to get in there and scrap like we did last week we can match these bigger teams. So Max, Sal, Bryn, Banjo, Michael, Daniel, Curtis, Riley, Cian, Jay, Jacob, Dominic, Jackson, Jonny, Djanala well done to you all. You hung in there even when Glebe got on top of you and we look forward to next week against Easts/Concord. Hawkeye

UNDER 9’S MATCH REPORT NEWTOWN SWANS Vs WESTS Part of the coaching staff lives in Magpie territory. As he travelled by the Magpies 'Nest' throughout the week he couldn't help but wonder how those Magpies were travelling this season. You could almost hear those 'Pies crowing, 'C'mon Swannies, were waiting for ya'. And with that in mind our team travelled to Picken Oval. There is one thing that you can bet on in these avian battles and that is that it will go right down to the wire. On this fine Autumn morning nobody left disappointed. Wests started off like they had been stopped from playing with a football all week. Wherever the ball was there were black and white jumpers right next to it. If a goal was for the taking, the Magpies took it. If a goal needed to be stopped, by golly, they stopped it. The coaches were worried. It wasn't supposed to be like this. Magpies are tough birds, protecting their territory with all of their might, but aren't Swans graceful and stylish in all that they do? We've got to get the ball down to the forward line fast... hang on Banjo's got the ball, he turns on a ten cent piece, zigs this way and then that way and looks like some Olympic gymnast as he bangs one between the big sticks, when he had no real right to do so. Its game on guys! The Swannies were set for the scrap. It was end to end stuff as players chased themselves to a standstill. As the ball moved from player to player there were plumes of dust behind them. No quarter was asked for or given as each team tried to assert themselves. Excellent kicking skills were displayed by Harry, Jacob, Michael, Banjo and Dominic.Bryn and Sal. The Wests backline was under more pressure than Leo Barry on a cold, winter's day in September. And they were up to it. Daniel, Curtis, Louis, Djanala and Riley were chasing the ball like a puppy with a new toy, and boy were they determined to get it back. Kurt, Jonny and Aaron did their best to make the Magpies players earn every pass, possession and kick.It was a tough, no nonsense game enjoyed by all. Do yourself a favour, get out the season's schedule, and locate the next match between these two. Do whatever you have to do to get your tickets fast because it is going to be a blockbuster. Standing room only, to be sure. Last I heard the Magpies were still crowing, 'See you next time Swannies'. You know what, I think that the Magpies players enjoyed the match as much as our guys did. See you next time Maggies. Hawkeye

UNDER 9’S MATCH REPORT NEWTOWN SWANS Vs GLEBE At Jubilee Oval, 8.4.06 There was a touch of winter in the air as we made our way to 'the kennel' to take on the Greyhounds. We always seem to have a good match against Glebe and this was no different. Newtown were understrength this week with the withdrawal of Harrison and Jonny earlier in the week and the late withdrawal of Sal just prior to the start. More on Sal's injury later. Along with the gusty conditions and the use of a proper 'Sherrin' - all leather, none of that rubber Auskick stuff - the coaching staff was in a real state with too many changes we didn't factor in to our game plan. After regaining some modicum of composure we were able to formulate a simple plan for today. Play the fringes, work hard in defence, and look for players in a better attacking position than yourself. That should be easy. Our team captain for the day, Djanala won the toss and quite rightly ran with the breeze at our backs for the first third. It was to prove a good toss to win as the remains of Cyclone Larry, Wati, Glenda, and every other cyclone that has hit northern Australia recently, seemed to be still sending gusts of wind down south. A speedy start saw a fair bit of the play in our forward line where Dominic and Banjo were able to convert field position into valuable points. They were supported by good team work from the likes of Bryn, Cian and Curtis. The middle of the field was an area of relentless tussle between the two teams. Glebe were determined to get the ball to their end and we were equally determined to keep the pressure on and scout for more points down ours. Louis (is he triplets - surely one person can't get around the field as much as he does!), Riley, Jay, Jackson, and Jesse ensured that any ball that Glebe got was going to be well earned. Just prior to the last change young Daniel who had copped more whacks (legally of course!) than Cassius Clay ever did throughout his career comes over and his body language suggests that he can't go on. The following conversation takes place. 'Its the finger Coach, along with me shoulder.' Daniel laments. 'Okay buddy', the Coach replies, disappointed but understanding, 'Have a rest, we'll play on with 14'. Sal, still favouring his injury, overhearing the conversation strolls over and quicker than anything Superman ever achieved in his heyday, had his gear on and was a part of the backline. Not a word to anyone. 'But Sal, your injury!' the Coach call after him, pleading. 'Think nothing of it Coach.The team needs me' Sal shrugs. And he was gone. You can't keep a good man down. The most satisfying aspect was the way we held off the 'Dishlickers' determined finish. It was like the favourite coming down the straight at 'Wenty' on Saturday night. The rabbit was in sight and nothing was going to stop the Greyhounds from getting their nose in front to grab the cash. Nothing except the Newtown backline. Sweat starts pouring off the coaching staff, John, Peter, and Michael. This is going down to the wire. We have to aim up in defence. A smile comes to Michael's face. Lucky we have Harrison to lead the charge in defence he will show the way ... hang on Harrison is not playing ... who is that guarding the posts? Apparently, Harrison has delegated the responsibilty of ensuring that 'none shall pass' to Michael, Jacob, Djanala, Daniel, Bryn and Harry. Their tireless work meant that we keep those Greyhounds at bay for another round. By the way we did play to our plan - well pretty much anyway. If we can just start to respect the ball, and not get sucked up the field and get caught out of position. Not to worry. Gives the coaching staff something to think about. Earn their keep over the next couple of weeks. And that we will as we prepare for the next game when those Bulldogs start barking once again at the Duckpond. Don't miss it. Sell your house if you have to - just get the tickets. It will be a beauty. Enjoy the Easter break team, but not too much. Strict chocolate rations are in force - no more than 5 eggs each! Michael Doherty

Some photographs from the Under 9's Round Robin...well done to all the players you are all stars...see you all in 2006.

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The Under 9's 2005 season archive.