Round 5: The Great Reading Revival

Wow, what a day, despite the best efforts of the M25, doing what it does best, I bounced into Kingsmeadow fifteen minutes before the start to watch an absolute classic between the Reading Kangaroos and the North London Lions in the Men's Socials.

The Roos had lost their opening couple of games but had been far more competitive than in recent seasons, and having seen the numbers they were putting out on Instagram during the week, it looked as though they were going to give it a real go - but would that elusive win come their way.

Early on it was all Roos, with debutants Damian McRae and Joshua Bethune pulling all the strings and getting the side going in the right direction, and it was no surprise when they fired home the opening goal. McRae launched the ball into Travis White who took the mark and converted to put the hosts ahead.

The Lions though were not going to go away quietly, and spells of pressure saw them cut the Roos lead to one point as the sides went into the first quarter break with the Roos holding a 1.1.7 to 0.6.6 lead.

The Roos continued to hold the upper hand as we moved into the second quarter, and a ball out wide left by Joe Trundle found Alex Toogood, and his run and conversion from a tight angle was too good for the Lions and the Roos had stretched the lead. Both sides were picking up points with behinds, but it was the Roos who struck again when White fired across the face of goal, Andy Whiteaker marked and converted and we went into the big break with the Roos firmly in control 3.5.23 to 0.8.8.

The couldn't do it could they...

The tension ramped up in the third quarter and it was a courageous fightback by the Lions, themselves stacked with debutants and for whom Ed McKenzie was proving unplayable.

Matthew Quinn found McKenzie who got the Lions first goal of the game, and almost immediately he notched a sharp finish from wide on the left - making a mockery of a long absence from the game - we are talking at least five years since playing. When a ball into the Roos 50 was not dealt with by the home defence and the loose ball forced home by David Sheehan the comeback was well and truly on.

A goal on the run by the Lions Patrick Higgins saw the visitors hit the front for the first time and asked the big question of the Roos, could they respond. Having gone close last time out, was it going to slip away again.

This Roos side though are made of stern stuff, and right on the siren, a fabulous pick up and shot on the turn by McRae restored the Roos advantage, and they went into the final quarter with a two point lead, going in 4.10.34 to 4.8.32 ahead.

The scoreboard swung back into the favour of the visitors early in the quarter, with a great mark by Luca Edmondson, a Brit on his Aussie Rules debut, and a ball into McKenzie who converted from a tight angle to put the Lions back in front, but once again the Roos fought back and the ball dribbled through the Lions defence to find the outstanding Bethune who restored the Roos lead.

Bethune then found White who converted with his left foot, and on the strength of a number of behinds the Roos looked clear. Edmondson gathered a low ball and converted to potentially set up a nailbiting finish, but the siren went and the Roos had done it, winning 6.15.51 to 6.8.44

It can't be overstated what this meant, a first win for the Roos since 9th July 2022 when they defeated the Lions 60 points to 51, but aside from how good they were on the pitch, it was off the pitch where some great strides were made.

I have seen numerous Roos games over the last couple of years where they have had two or three interchange players at best. Today they had a full 24 man squad. Of these only seven were Australian with the rest being GB/RoW players, there were four club debutants, and one of these were playing their first ever AFL game.

Having been to the Elimination Finals held at Kingsmeadow, I know how good the hospitality is by the Roos, and how they deserve to succeed. Hopefully today was a huge step in the right direction.

So whilst I was in Reading, there was a full programme elsewhere, so lets take a look at the results.

Up at Hackney Marshes, all four London Swans sides were in action against their West London Wildcats counterparts, whilst the Swans were also hosting the Mens Premiership clash between the North London Lions and Wildcats.

The day opened with the unbeaten Ealing Emus looking to solidify their position at the top of the table against an ever dangerous Swans side.

A tight opening to the game saw the sides trade goals, and a pair of behinds each, and we went into the first break locked up at 1.2.8 apiece. The Emus took the first steps towards maintaining their unbeaten run, keeping the Swans off the scoreboard, whilst two goals for them took them into a 3.2.20 to 1.2.8 advantage.

The Swans came fighting back in the after the big break and two goals dragged them back into the contest, although the one Emus goal kept the visitors in the box seat. The Emus going into the final quarter with a seven point advantage, 4.4.28 to 3.3.21

The Emus dominated the final quarter, and stretched away with another four goals rounding off a top day for them as they ran out 8.6.54 to 4.4.28 winners and keep themselves unbeaten this season and top of the table as we approach the midway point.

Goals for the Emus came from Jesse Rosomacki and Noah Boundy with two each and Ben Allen, Jeremy Costa, George Heptinstall and Charlie Vickers all with one; with Nic Dazeley with a double, and Darcy Johnston and Ryan Leaver, responding for the Swans

The second game of the day saw the Swans take on the Wildcats in the Women's Conference. Both sides were looking for their first win of the season and it was the Swans who ultimately triumphed in a tight encounter.

The Swans struck the only goal in the opening quarter and took a 1.0.6 to 0.1.1 into the break. The second quarter was an equally tight affair with the Swans one behind being the only addition to the score, and they led 1.1.7 to 0.1.1 at the big break.

The Swans stretched their lead to eight points at the end of the third quarter, but a goal for the Wildcats kept them well in the contest, but the Swans held a 2.3.15 to 1.1.7 lead going into the final period. The Wildcats gave it everything in the final quarter, and another goal got them to within two points of the Swans, but that was as good as it got, and the Swans picked up their first win of the season 2.3.15 to 2.1.13

On target for the hosts were Mandy Goodwin and Tori Long, with Jessica Faithful and Brie Thomas replying for the Cats.

Next up was the Men's Conference and the table topping Swans took on the Shepherds Bush Raiders.

The Swans have been in outstanding free-scoring form this season and for the second time they topped the 100 point mark, despite the valiant efforts of the Raiders.

A seven goal opening quarter saw the Swans leap out to a 7.5.47 to 1.2.8 lead at the first siren, and the free-scoring continued in the second quarter with another four goals, although a bit of innaccuracy with the boot led to six behinds. The Raiders did notch another goal, but at the big break were staring down the barrel of an 11.11.77 to 2.2.14 deficit.

There was no let up in the third quarter and another four goals saw the Swans top the hundred point mark. The Raiders once again hitting the target once, but going into the final period the Swans led 15.12.102 to 3.2.20.

The Swans took their collective feet off the gas in the final period but still ran in another goal, whilst restricting the Raiders to another one, and picked up an 18.16.124 to 4.3.27 to maintain their position at the top of the table.

On target for the Swans were Reed Jepson with five, Michael Batten with four, Charlie Whalley with three and a double for Josh Kemp, plus one each for Thomas Buffin, Jesse Dench, Riley Hunt and Max Whalley; Sam Bone, Benji Cornish, Trent Glennan and Matt Wessels responding for the Raiders.

Game Four saw the Swans against the reigning champions, and they turned in a fantastic performance to go top of the table on percentage and hand the Wildcats a rare defeat.

Having finished top of the ladder last season the Swans knew they were capable of pulling off the win, and they struck early to take a 2.2.14 to 0.1.1 lead into the first quarter break. The sides traded goals in the second quarter and a couple of behinds saw the Wildcats reduce the deficit to nine points. The Swans going into the half time break with a 3.2.20 to 1.3.9 advantage.

There is a reason the Cats are reigning champions and they dug deep in the third quarter to further reduce the arrears and went into the final period just seven points behind, the Swans having a 3.4.22 to 2.3.15 lead. The Swans though were in no mood to let this one slip away, and three goals in the final quarter ensured they picked up a 6.4.40 to 3.3.21 win.

Goal scorers for the Swans were Tara Barratt and Alexis Smith with two each, and Jaimie Wittervan and Hannah Moss with one each; for the Wildcats it was a Sarah Vague double and one for Emma Davis.

The final game of the day saw the Men's Premiership clash between the Lions and the winless Wildcats, in what for three quarters was an incredibly tight contest.

Two goals for the Lions gave them the advantage at the end of the first quarter with them taking a 2.4.16 to 1.1.7 lead into the break. The Wildcats came fighting back with a goal in the second quarter, whilst restricting the Lions to just one behind and as the siren went to end the half it was the Lions with a narrow lead, courtesy of that second quarter behind, the Lions being up 2.5.17 to 2.4.16.

It was equally tight in the third quarter but for the first time in the contest, the Wildcats hit the front. Two goals giving them a 4.7.31 to 3.9.27 lead but it was, or looked to be, very much all to play for.

In fact, it wasn't and six unanswered goals saw the Cats ease to a 10.7.67 to 3.11.29 win and get them off the mark for this campaign, and improve on last years winless performance.

On target for the Wildcats were Sam McInerney with five, Isaac Kenna with three and one each for Glen Burns and Trey Mason; replying for the Lions were Judah Edmunds with two and Daniel Beddison.

Over at Motspur Park there were another three games and they got underway at midday with the Wimbledon Hawks Aubergine Machine hosting the South East London Giants.

The opening quarter was dominated by the Giants, and they racked up four goals to one lead 4.1.25 to 1.1.7 lead at the first break. The Hawks though came roaring back in the second quarter and having restricted the seemingly free-scoring Giants to just three behinds, they notched a couple of goals themselves to narrow the gap at the big break to six points, with the Giants holding a 4.4.28 to 3.4.22

A strong showing in the third quarter saw the Giants stretch their lead to 17 points as they led 6.9.45 to 4.4.28 as we approached the final period. Again it was a dominant performance by the Giants, and they notched another three goals, whilst restricting the Hawks to just one goal.

The siren went with the Giants picking up their first win of the season on the back of a 9.10.64 to 5.4.34 scoreline.

On target for the Giants were Lincoln Powley with three, Geoff McKay with two, and one each for Mark Tuazon, Jayden Storer, Nathan Brown and Tom Brennan. Replying for the Hawks were goal machine Richard Beal, Angus Blair, Will Ryan, Alex Marchesani and Josh Evans.

Photos Courtesy of Andy Painter (andy_painter_sports_photos

The Demons were in town for the second and third game, with game two being a clash in the Women's Premiership.

Having picked up a narrow win over the Sussex Swans last time out, the Hawks were starting to find their feet in the Premiership and gave last years runners up a real run for their money.

The visitors were on top in the first quarter and took a 1.1.7 to 0.0.0 lead into the break, and although the Hawks got on the scoreboard, another goal and behind took the Demons into the big break with a 2.2.14 to 1.0.6 lead.

The sides traded goals in the third quarter, and with a behind each they went into the final quarter with the Demons holding still holding an eight point advantage 3.3.21 to 2.1.13. The final period was another tight affair, with the Demons adding another four behinds, whilst holding the Hawks scoreless, finishing up 3.7.25 to 2.1.13 winners

For the Demons its now three wins from four matches, whilst the Hawks, despite defeat, will no doubt be encouraged having pushed last seasons runners up all the way.

On target for the Demons were Natalie Meehan, Laura Beresford and the ever dangerous Lolita Viska, whilst Jane Astbury scored a double for the Hawks.

Photos Courtesy of Andy Painter (andy_painter_sports_photos

The final game of the day at Motspur Park saw a thrilling Men's Conference clash between the Hawks and the Wandsworth Demons, which saw the Demons come from behind to win a thriller.

After a tight first quarter where the sides shared a goal each, it was the Demons who went into the break with the narrowest of leads, 1.2.8 to 1.1.7, but they were rocked back on their heels by a strong second quarter performance by the Hawks. The Hawks goaled twice, whilst keeping the Demons scoreless and took a 3.2.20 to 1.2.8 lead into the big break.

The Demons came roaring back in the third quarter with three goals of their own and holding the Hawks to just one, and come three quarter time they had overturned the Hawks lead and took a 4.7.31 to 4.2.26 lead into the final period.

Two goals in the final period and three behinds saw them hold off a Hawks fightback, and they moved into second spot in the table, behind the Swans.

On target for the Demons were Nick Barker with 2, and one each for Luke Hogben, Mason Ness, Jonathan Newton-Jacobs and Monte White ; with Abel Mathews 2, Billy O'Loughlin, Damian Gleye and Sam LeCocq, replying for the hosts.

That's it for this week, more next week with the results from Week 6 and a mid-season round up.

Photos Courtesy of Andy Painter (andy_painter_sports_photos