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Often in a competition that is beginning to look like a one horse race it’s easy for a team who is undefeated after seven rounds to begin to get complacent. Unfortunately for the rest of the competition this is far from the case at North Shore. This can only be a direct credit to the Bombers coaching staff Chris Rourke and Simon Wilson who weekly focus on maintaining the players focus on not getting carried away with the wins.
The philosophy of if you want to stay in front then play like you are behind was reflected in the first term against the Balmain Tigers at Drummoyne oval. The bombers displayed the hunger and enthusiasm on and off the ball of a team that was looking for their first win of the season. In particular the likes of assistant coach Simon Wilson who was later to leave the field with a concussion lead from the front and pushed hard out of the middle to provide a great foundation for the rest of the team.
The second quarter was undoubtedly the Bombers best quarter of the season. It what could only be described as a complete point scoring frenzy North Shore booted an astonishing eight goals into the sun and wind. The highlights of this bag of goals came through the young Danny Roberts who secured three superb goals in as many minutes. Danny Roberts who only this week got the promotion from reserve grade after a strong game the previous week showed he is a class player who has no trouble scoring points in the higher grade. Along with Roberts Hosking’s grabbed two and the rest of the eight goals were secured by Webb, Carlyon and Tyrell who each shared in taking one goal each. With the Bombers completely dominating the play North shore extended a first term difference of 22 points out to a 57 point lead as they left for the sheds at the half break.
With the bombers looking more like the kings of the jungle than the tigers, Balmain were praying that the wind and sun that had helped the bombers in the last quarter might give them a hand as well. Whilst the third quarter looked like a much more even contest for the tigers it was still not the festival of goal that the bombers had enjoyed. It what is becoming the North Shores trademark the third quarter was a little quieter from the Bombers and as result the tigers gained a little face back by securing the advantage in this quarter. The tigers kicked three goals to two and whilst at no point looked like threatening did however show that they could move the ball around and kick points when given the opportunity. With one quarter remaining and the Bombers lead looking insurmountable they left for the break 43-94. The main aim for tigers was just to prevent the lead from exploding.
To the disappointment of the tigers fans the Bombers were rejuvenated in the fourth quarter and with the roar gone in the tigers were able to place another devastating six goals to two to almost replicate the success of the second quarter. The player of the day was undoubtedly birthday boy Marc Babjcic. Showing no after affects of his 24th birthday celebrations, who took a tonne of possession’s and showed great determination and enthusiasm to ensure himself a clean sweep in the voting to take away best on ground for the second week running. Dale also played a strong role at the back in the last with a spectacular grab directly in front along with a converted goal from fifty on the smallest of angles ended up with a total of 4 goals.
The Bombers finished 55-136 and with the competition near half way through, have just about secured themselves the position in the final already. Next week they take on New South Wales Uni at home and if the past games are any indication if you like to see teams kick goals Gore Hill oval will be the place to be come Sunday.
Reserves
North Shore 18.11 (119)
Balmain Tigers 7.7 (49)
U18’s
North Shore 23.19 (157)
Balmain Tigers 0.3 (3)
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