On Saturday May 8, the (4) New York Magpies hosted the Philadelphia Hawks. With ESPN filming the game the Magpies jumped out of the blocks well and kicked out to a strong early lead. Dawkins and McMaster were proving a handful up forward and Sani was again showing his athleticism. Mason, playing his first game of the year, was at his intimidating best in the ruck and got a hand on everything. The back line was again the foundation for the Magpies in the first half as Lewis and Polulach showed their composure, Davis was at his ferocious best and Norman was welcomed back to full back, where he controlled the last line of defense.
The second quarter was much of the same as New York controlled the play. New Magpie Captain Andy Brennan was doing as he pleased across half forward. With Wittmer, Desai and Smith on top in the middle, the Magpies' forward line had plenty of supply. Buckets and Toby again provided a physical presence, while Guarino’s and Lawrence's injection of pace was crucial and telling. Boylan, in his first game of the year, played strongly and combined well with Oui across half back. The highlights of the first half were Jimmy McLoughlin’s one handed screamer in front of goal and Monica Robbins' first appearance in the men’s team for the year.
However, the third quarter proved to be a different story. Philly started to win more of the contested ball around the ground and peppered the goals. Flavel and McCormick were thrown back to steady up the defense (a masterstroke by ass. coach Shane Batty). If not for the solid work of those guys, plus Flavel, Builder, Robbins and Gluck, the Hawks would have been much closer at 3rd quarter time.
Philly's Paul Giacomin was outstanding both up forward and in the midfield. According to Philly Head Coach, Jon Loring "Paul Giacomin played fantastic in both the forward line and especially well when we brought him into the midfield throughout the game. He made a significant impact in both parts of the field with his ability to either get the footy inside 50 or keep it inside 50 on the day. He played very,very well for us."
The Magpies responded in the last quarter with Roberts and Sinclair dominating around the ball, the sure hands of Bulone and crumbing of Walkington and Demaio proving to be a strength. McConnell and big Will, in their first game of AFL football, had immediate impact while fellow debutant Dickins' attack on the ball was outstanding. This helped New York to kick away to a comfortable win.
Coach Loring was proud of the performance despite the loss. "Overall, how I felt about the play by the Hawks was a little disappointed. I was very proud of their effort, as I am every game as I know that they give me 110% every time but their actual use of the footy at times needs much more improvement as well as their overall discipline when it comes to following various instructions. However, considering that I had a number of rookies out there all sharing equal time, I'd say that it was an expected result with a very gutsy effort. Very pleased at times though, throughout the course of the game. The Pies impressed me the most with their ability to find the open man, mainly in the forward line. I was also impressed with the run from their midfield. They've got some tremendous fitness to that particular group especially this early in the season."
New York 5.3 7.6 8.11 11.13 (79)
Philadel. 1.0 1.1 1.1 4.3 (27)
GOALKICKERS
New York: Andy Brennan 4, Toby Tornay 2, Iza Dawkins 1, Chris Georgiou 1, Sani Hadziahmetovic 1, Jimmy McLoughlin 1, Ashley Flavel 1.
Philadel.: Paul Giacomin 3, Matt Paton 1.
BEST PLAYERS
New York: Andy Brennan, Julian Mason, Scott McMaster, Toby Tornay, Iza Dawkins.
Philadel.: Paul Giacomin, Patrick Miller, Alex Lyden-Horn, Matt Paton, Jon Loring.
Field Umpires: Rod Marr, Arne Pulle.
Photos by Robert Oliver.
