Week 9

vs Port Kembla (Both Grades)

We had their most successful weekend in three years as both grades got up for a win over Port Kembla on Saturday. With the new building now located next to Tom Smith Oval and some results going our way we are picking up some momentum at the halfway stage of the season.

It started with Reserve Grade, who went into the game with some confidence after some promising results over the last couple of weeks. Both sides made a quick start and it was obvious that this would be a relatively high scoring affair despite the threat of rain as both teams were willing to move the ball quickly and take on the opposing side. We went into the first break with a handy lead set up by some great work in the centre by Jeremy Wild, Graham Vickers, Craig Godfrey and Lee Wright. Port come out fired up in the second quarter and some ill disciplined play and a lack of accountability saw them take the lead and it was not until near the end of quarter when we started to fight back with honours even at halftime. The trend continued in the second half with a tight arm wrestle of a match developing, with us holding on to a slender lead going into the last quarter. A couple of quick goals through smart play put us on the right track in the final stanza and it was a great finish to a good match by both sides. Standout players were the midfield, Scott McCurdy, Jake Gordon, James Inglish, Steve Wall, Ty Goodman and Trev Bennett. All in all a great team effort that ensured a promising start to the day.

First Grade buoyed after the win at Bargo last week also came into this home game with a bit of confidence and were looking to erase the memories of the close loss incurred earlier in the season at Kully Bay Oval. Another strong start had us leading by almost 5 goals at the first change with Jace Southwell playing strongly on the ball, Simon Levy and Scott Clarke resolute in defence and Chris Weller taking some strong grabs up front. Once again after a strong first quarter we seemed to take the foot off the pedal and with Port upping the tempo the margin was reduced to to 20 points at halftime. With conditions worsening the third quarter was a fairly dour affair as both sides struggled to get some flow into their play despite some flashes of brilliance from Sean Suridge and Liam Carruthers. We did not want to let this game slide as occurred the first time we met and a strong workman-like effort saw the four points come our way after a great sealer from Craig Godfrey. A really good team effort with only a few standouts such as Jace Southwell, Cameron Cullen, Jonathon Wilson, Liam Carruthers, Scott Clarke, Simon Levy, Sean Suridge and Tim Green.

Next week we travel to Norths for a night game at North Dalton Park. Reserve Grade starts at 4pm, with Firsts at 6:10pm. The teams are looking forward to testing themselves against Norths after some close losses in the first round, as well as playing under lights at North Dalton Park. There will be a bus for the game; stand by for details.

A quick note that it would be good to see some more numbers at training and on Thursday, please get there even if injured as we will not be running on the track. We have a real opportunity to knock off a Norths team that will be a little down after losing to Bommo last week.

Also there is a Trivia Night to be held in the clubrooms after the Bomaderry game (4 July) commencing at 1830. Tables of 6-8 at $5 a head ($2 for kids) with cash prizes for winning tables and lots of spot prizes as well. Bring your own nibblies with some catering to be supplied by Serco (thanks BK). For more info or to book a table, get in touch with Bulky.

It was good to see so many people back a the Clubrooms let's see if we can help make these events a success by getting a good turnout.

Scores:

Reserve Grade

Demons 4.4 8.5 10.9 15.9 99
Port Kembla 2.0 8.0 10.0 12.1 73

Goals: S. McCurdy 4, R. Drysdale 4, M. Kinnear 2, L. Wright, M. McDougall, G. Vickers, J. Gordon, J. Inglish
Best: J. Inglish, J. Wild, G. Vickers, S. McCurdy, L. Wright, S. Wall

Award Winners:

Coaches Cup: Jeremy Wild
Players Player: Lee 'Shiner'Wright
Aussie Hotel: Scott McCurdy
Sportscene: James 'Pommy' Inglish

First Grade

Demons 4.5 5.9 7.12 8.15 63
Port Kembla 0.1 2.7 4.9 5.11 41

Goals: L. Carruthers 3, C. Weller 2, J. Southwell, J. Wilson, C. Godfrey
Best: C. Cullen, S. Suridge, L. Carruthers, S. Levy, T. Green, S. Clarke, J. Southwell

Award Winners:

Coaches Cup: Bob Pritchard
Player's Player: Cameron Cullen
Aussie Hotel: Sean 'Rhubarb' Suridge
Husky Pub: Liam 'Emu' Carruthers
Trevi Fountain: Jace Southwell

Paper Story:

http://www.southcoastregister.com.au/news/local/sport/afl/demons-take-double-after-three-year-drought/1547175.aspx

Week 8

at Wollondilly (First Grade)
at Uni of Wollongong (Reserve Grade)

We had a mixed day on Sunday travelling to Bargo to take on Uni and Wollondilly in reserve and first grade respectively. The day started with a very experienced Reserve grade outfit taking on the competition front runners and looking to make a good account of the match. The was the case in the first quarter that showed despite a lack of the footy that we were there to play and held the favoured Bulldogs to only a couple of goals whilst creating a few opportunities at the other end. Unfortunately the pressure applied to the Bulldogs midfield and forwards could not be sustained and the Uni boys started to run away with the match after quarter time as their run and carry left us in their wake. There were a few bright patches in the day for the Demons though, with some strong performances particularly from Jace Southwell, Francis Walkers, Jeremy Wild and Craig Godfrey in the middle, Trev Barrett, Steve Wall and Ty Goodman in the backline with some good efforts from limited opportunities in the forward line from Tim Green and Scott McCurdy.

First grade knew it was going to be tough to travel to Bargo and get a win, but if we wanted to play finals footy this was a game we had to stand up and come away with the four points. A sparkling start with 5 goals to 1 in the first quarter was exactly the tonic for the team that had 8 players backing up from playing Reserve Grade earlier in the day with some great work all over the field highlighted by some outstanding forward play from Simon Levy and great determination in the midfield from Paul Serafin. The Knights weren't to be that easy to subdue however and were the better side in the second and third quarters reducing the margin to under 3 goals going into the last. Our boys were starting to feel the pinch with a few injuries and tired legs from players backing up beginning to tell. Despite a furious effort from the Knights we held off the challenge and came through with an important away victory that sets up our position in the top four. Great performance from Tim Green, Travis Brown, Andrew Newman, James Bayley, Brett Kelly and Clint Maynard in the backline supported by Justin Larkins, Jace Southwell, Paul Serafin and Sean 'Rhubarb' Suridge in the middle. Simon Levy, Chris Weller and Phil Henshaw were dangerous in the forward line as well.

Thanks to all those that assisted on the day and the guys that played two games, hopefully we can have some better numbers next week and get two wins at home against Port Kembla.

There will be a Trivia Night held at the Clubrooms on 4 July commencing around 1830 after the Bommo match. Tables of 6-8 with $5 entry fee ($2 for kids). An information flyer will be out by the end of the week.

Scores

Reserve Grade

Uni 2.7 9.7 16.10 25.16 166
Demons 0.0 2.0 3.0 3.0 18

Goals: T. Green 2, J. Southwell
Best: J. Southwell, T. Green, T. Bennett, J. Alkemade, S. Wall, T. Goodman, C. Godfrey

Award Winners:

Coaches Cup: Trevor Barrett
Player's Player: Craig 'Goof' Godfrey
Aussie Hotel: Jace Southwell
Sportscene: Jeremy Wild

First Grade

Wollondilly 1.1 3.6 5.10 8.11 59
Demons 5.4 7.6 8.8 10.12 72

Goals: S. Levy 4, C. Weller 4, D. Richardson, J. Wilson
Best: T. Green, C. Maynard, T. Brown, S. Levy, J. Larkins, P. Serafin

Award Winners:

Coaches Cup: Sean 'Rhubarb' Suridge
Player's Player: Paul 'Finn' Serafin
Aussie Hotel: Tim Green
Husky Pub: Justin Larkins
Trevi Fountain: Phil Henshaw

Week 7

at Ulladulla (Reserve Grade)

The Ressies finally pulled through a win on the weekend down in Ulladulla on Sunday. After a bright start it looked like we might be our own worst enemies as ill discipline and a lack of accountability had the Dockers running all over us in the second quarter (with the help of a few 50m penalties, 3 in a row against Goof). After a stirring half time tongue lashing from Scotty and Ty, we picked ourselves up out of the hole we dug and finished strongly to get within strkiking distance by 3/4 time thanks to some good work in the middle by Wal, Finn and Larks. We stepped up again in the last quarter to dominate play, in the end running out reasonably comfortable winners. There were some good efforts all over but Wal, Finn, Larks, Phil, Halfy (despite his average delivery) and Blue's tagging in the second half stood out. Thanks to all those that helped out (Sean Bull, Crank) and for the couple of First grade players that helped make up the numbers.

Training numbers have been really down over the last two weeks and I am getting frustrated at not being able to run the drills I have prepared due to the lack of numbers. One of our key statements this year is commitment and at them moment I think it is lacking from some. I would also like to see injured people turn up to games (and training at times) to help support and also to let me know when they may be available. Bring your runners for Thursday's training.

A reminder that the games this weekend are on Sunday at Wollondilly (Reserve grade plays Uni), normal times. We are trying to arrange a bus for transport to the game and will be able to advise at training on Thursday. This is a big game for both grades, Wollondilly are a much, much tougher team at home and we know how good Uni are. We really need to get good numbers otherwise we will not be coming away with any points this weekend, which is not an acceptable outcome.

Congrats to Simon, Newy and Jace for their participation in the SCAFL Rep Side that went down to North Coast by 34 points. A further pat on the back for Simon who was judged SCAFL's best player (we might have to pay you where you're best suited now, Simon).

Let's get some good numbers to training and come out firing on Sunday.

Scores

Reserve Grade

Ulladulla 2.0 6.0 9.0 10.0 60
Demons 2.5 3.8 7.8 12.11 83

Goals: C. Godfrey4 , J. Larkins 3, S.McCurdy, C. Smith, G.Wallace, M. McDougall, P. Henshaw
Best: P. Serafin, J. Larkins, P. Henshaw, F. Walkers, G. Wallace, J. Wilson, S. McCurdy, S.Wall, C. Godfrey

Award Winners:

Coaches Cup: Scott McCurdy
Player's Player: Paul 'Finn' Serafin
Aussie Hotel: Justin Larkins
Husky Pub: Phil Henshaw
Sportscene: Greg 'Wal' Wallace