By
Michael Weaver
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Hogs
Reserve Grade Captain Dave Caldwell takes a mark against
the Murrumbidgee Juggernauts.
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Harman
Seadogs centre Dave Howlett makes a break during the Dogs
win against fourth-placed Goulburn Exchange.
Photos by Michael Weaver
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The
footballing exploits of Australian rules and rugby league teams
at HMAS Harman are coming to the fore following good seasons in
their respective Canberra District competitions.
The Harman Seadogs Rugby League team finished fifth following
the home and away matches, earning a place in the finals, after
beating fourth-placed Goulburn Exchange at Harman on August 2.
The Seadogs led from start to finish in a display of form that
showed glimpses of last season’s effort when the side was
narrowly beaten in the preliminary final.
The Harman Hogs Australian rules football club meanwhile is having
one of its best seasons, with the first grade side almost assured
of second place on the ladder and the reserves still in contention
for the finals.
The Harman firsts recently defeated ADFA, the Canberra District
premier side for the last two seasons, and also recorded a strong
victory against the previously undefeated Gungahlin Jets, a team
representing the north suburbs of Canberra.
The Hogs have now beaten every side in the competition and under
the eye of coach POCIS Jamie McGinley, look a real chance of winning
a premiership.
The results of Round 13 for the Hogs
are as follows:
First
Division Harman v ADFA
At ADFA, Sunday July 27
Harman
2-1, 5-3, 9-9, 11-11
ADFA 3-1, 7-2, 8-3, 10-8
Goalkickers:
Neill, Crichton - 3, Weigold, Thurling, Owen, Pentland, Collins
- 1
Best: Griffin, Buhagiar, Neill, Parsons, Thurling, Crichton
Injuries: Phil Black (nose)
Reports: Nil
La Scala Player of the Day: Matt Griffin
Hogs Handle: Josh Parsons
Royal Hotel Coaches Award: Michael Buhagia
This
game was always going to be a true test of where the OZINVEST
Harman First’s team stood, playing against ADFA, who had
won the same number of games, but had a much greater percentage.
With second place on the ladder up for grabs, coach McGinley had
a near full-strength team focussed for the task at hand.
The teams were evenly matched in the first quarter, going goal
for goal with ADFA coming in one goal ahead in a low-scoring affair.
The OZINVEST boys pushed hard at the start of the second quarter
to dominate possession and take the lead on the scoreboard. To
ADFA’s credit, they bounced back and responded with 4 goals
in 10 minutes at the end of the quarter to take an 11 point lead
into half-time.
Coach McGinley challenged the team at halftime to show some character
and fortitude to get back in the game.
The team responded and whilst dominating play at the start of
the third quarter, they couldn’t get that elusive goal to
start applying the scoreboard pressure. ADFA kicked the first
goal of the quarter sparking a revival for the Hog’s - slamming
on several goals, keeping ADFA goalless for the remainder of the
quarter.
The challenge was to maintain this lead in the last. The OZINVEST
Hog’s matched ADFA in the last quarter to take a memorable
win. The club song was sung with much gusto after the game. Jim
Neill provided some memorable highlights for the game with two
great marks, one being a contender for mark of the year.
Second
Division Harman v Belconnen
At Jamieson, Sunday July 27
Harman
3-2, 4-4, 8-6, 8-8
Belconnen 2-6, 5-11, 9-13, 16-23
Goalkickers:
M.Jordan, T. Nicholl - 3, Thompson - 2
Best: Little, Caldwell, Jacobs, M. Jordan, Froud
Injuries: Nil
Reports: Nil
La Scala Player of the Day: Terry Little
Hogs Handle: Adam Jacobs
Royal Hotel Coaches Award: Dave Caldwell
The
OZINVEST Harman team would’ve been reasonably confident of
taking a win from this game, having accounted for Belconnen in
their first meeting.
As in their last encounter, both teams were evenly matched, and
Harman won the first quarter regardless of having fewer scoring
opportunities.
The game remained a close affair in the second quarter, with Belconnen
having many more scoring opportunities, but failing to capitalise
on their dominance.
Harman remained well and truly in the game at half time. The game
opened up in the third quarter, with both teams kicking 4 goals
2 points for the term. At three quarter time, Harman remained
thirteen points down and were still right in the game.
The last quarter was one way traffic, with Belconnen dominating.
Coach Pete Jensen will have to work out what happened in the last
quarter, and rectify it quickly as there is no doubt they have
the potential, as has been demonstrated twice this year.
The team didn’t give up on the day and I suspect they ran
out of legs. There are certainly better things around the corner.
