The rain had stopped by the start of the second term and the game started to open up with both teams displaying some excellent flowing football but again inaccuracy was hampering both teams as they traded points in the early going. The shark’s backline were again playing well and sensing the bloods were mounting serge to get back into the game lifted their intensity repelling almost every blood’s forward thrust and providing their midfield and forwards with the building blocks to regain the ascendancy. With the ball again frequently finding its way forward the shark’s forwards were once again looking dangerous and banged home back to back majors to extend their lead. The bloods now knowing they had to respond or face being blown away showed they were not going to lie down and answered back in the best possible way by kicking back to back goals of their own in the shadows of half time to cut the sharks lead back to seventeen points at half time 4. 9. 33 to 2. 4. 16
During the break Coach Connor reinforced the importance of not switching off and playing out the whole quarter to his chargers as good sides would not afford them the opportunity to get back into the game and he sent them out to start the premiership quarter with his words ringing in their ears.
The third stanza started with both teams on a mission. The bloods determined to close the gap and the sharks just as determined to go on with it which produced probably the best football of the day. With the ball moving from end to end the crowd got excited and really found voice as they were treated to some hard at it footy with both teams trading goals. The inaccuracy that had been plaguing both clubs earlier in the contest had also seemed to have disappeared as both teams booted four goals for the quarter. After the dust had settled on what was a blistering third term the bloods could only manage to cut the margin back by two points as both teams had cancelled out each other’s good work. The sharks went into the last change with a fifteen point lead 8. 10. 58 to 6. 7. 43

The final stanza started and you guessed it the rain started falling again but the sharks did not let it dampen their enthusiasm as they settled into the job at hand and opened the scoring for quarter with a minor score. The game was again turning into an arm wrestle as the conditions worsened and both teams kicked a string of behinds. Then on what was looking to be a promising foray forward the sharks were dealt a blow as Robert Magic McKinlay went down with what looked a significant knee injury and there was a small break in play as he was helped from the playing arena. After the break in play the sharks quickly regained their composure and set about reasserting the dominance they had held for much of the match. With the midfield back on top the sharks were again moving the ball forward effortlessly and in the dying stages put on two goals to extend their lead to run out eventual twenty eight point winners 10. 14. 74 to 6. 10. 46
Special mention must go out to the two shark’s first gamers Grayson Stopp and Martin Bell congrats guys well done
Congratulation to Ross Thomson for winning the K.P.I. challenge which was tackles this week. Ross had an amazing 7 tackles to go with his hard work all over the ground. Use the mug well mate keep up the good work
The Great White “unsung hero” actually went to two people today well done to John McIntyre and Alex Young for their respective contributions up against a man mountain in the ruck
See ya on the boundary line next time
Cheer’ cheer the blue and the white
The Great White

Game 1 Wimbledon Hawks v Glasgow Shark’s
The shark’s first game saw them pitted against the Wimbledon hawks which created a buzz in the stands as this was the rematch of the 2011 Haggis Cup final. Most people were tipping this one to be a tight affair and both teams didn’t let them down. The hawks won the toss and elected to kick with the breeze in the first half. The teams took their positions and the game got underway. Both teams were battling hard to move the ball forward through heavy congestion in the early exchanges with the ball rebounding off both half back lines. It would be the hawks though to get the first major with some good ball movement into their forward line. The sharks were dealt a blow just after the resulting ball up when on a promising forward attack skipper Adam Jack went down with a hamstring injury that would see him take no further part in the action for the rest of the day. The hawks managed to hit the score board again and extend their lead. The sharks answered back with a major of their own and with John McIntyre and Alex Young working hard in the ruck the shark’s midfield rotations of Andy Dubojski, Steve Thompson, Alexander Clark and Martin Bell started to get on top as the sharks managed to close the gap to less than one straight kick at the break. During the interval Coach Stephen Connor asked his chargers to lift their intensity, be stronger in the contests and be tighter to their men when the hawks were in possession. The second half got underway with both teams being a little inaccurate on goal but it was the sharks though who looked to have settled the better. The sharks backline were showing the way with Graham Wilson spoiling everything in the air while Scott O Hara and Steve O Kelly were mopping up when the ball hit the deck moving it on quickly to link up men Daniel Connor and Derek Smith who were rotating off the bench and providing forwards Darren Chadwick, Robert Mckinlay and Andrew McManus with good service. The teams traded goals midway the second half and it looked as if the sharks were coming home with a wet sail but for all their hard work they could not get their noses in front. The hawks got a late goal in the dying minutes from which the sharks could not recover leaving the hawks to run out 5 point victors final scores 5.5.35 to 4.6.30
Game 2 Glasgow Shark’s v Manchester Mosquitoes
The loss in game 1 didn’t help but the sharks went into game two against the mosquitoes knowing a win by a descent margin would keep them in the hunt for making the final as this would give all three teams in the group one win with only percentage deciding who topped the group. The mosquitoes won the toss and decided to go with the breeze in the first half. The mosquitoes showed they were a much different prospect than the hawks in the previous game when from the first bounce they quickly moved the ball into their forward line. The shark’s defense repelled the attack and the game quickly turned into an arm wrestle. It was the mosquitoes though who opened the scoring with a six pointer midway through the half and the game started to open up. Graham “the fridge” Wilson was again playing well and was getting good support from O Hara, O Kelly and Smith who were rotating down back. Midfielders Thompson and Dubjoski were working tirelessly helping out the backline while Clark, Connor and Bell were rotating through the corridor providing the link from defense to attack. The mosquitoes were clearly attacking the goal scoring end as the breeze had freshened a little and put on another two majors to the sharks one to go into the break with a handy lead. Coach Connor wanted his boys to keep their heads up and have the same level of intensity as they displayed in the first half as they had battled hard into the wind. The second half got underway with a bang. The shark’s big men McIntyre and Young were getting on top in the ruck giving the on ballers first use resulting in fast entries into the forward line giving forwards Chadwick, McKinlay and McManus the opportunity to win one on one contests. It was Sparkles McManus, now gathering a cult following with his straight kicking for goal and outrageous nickname who took advantage of the good work up the ground and got the first goal of the half. The mosquitoes answered back to restore their lead then had a phase of play where they kept the ball locked in their forward half with good forward pressure but let themselves down by being inaccurate on goal but had eaten up a lot of time off the clock. The sharks finally broke out of their backline with some good play that was finished off with a great team goal that narrowed the margin. The mosquitoes managed to score a goal in the shadows of full time to extend their lead to the winning margin of 16 points 3.1.19 to 5.5.35

Game 3 plate semi final Glasgow Shark’s v Aberdeen
After going down narrowly in their two group games the sharks set their sights on the plate final. To get there they had to overcome an Aberdeen team that was determine to take the plate home with them. This one had the extra spice of these two teams coming from the same league so bragging rights would be on the line as well. Not to mention wanting to make a statement of intent of things to come in the upcoming season. Aberdeen won the toss and elected to kick with the wind. From the first bounce it was evident this was going to be a bit of a slog. With the rain now falling steadily both teams were finding it hard to get a handle on the ball resulting in turnovers turning the game into a very scrappy contest. On the rare occasions Aberdeen entered their forward line the usual suspects Wilson, Smith, O Hara and O Kelly in the sharks backline showed a willingness to work as a unit to propel the ball to the hard working midfielders Thompson, Dubojski, Clark, Bell and Connor who were again rotating well off the bench. The sharks had the ball locked in their forward line for much of the half but due to the conditions and probably tired legs were unable to capitalize. Aberdeen were working hard in defense but were unable to get the ball past the sharks midfield that had set up camp across half forward and when the half time siren sounded neither team had a massive score on the board. Coach Connor again rallied his troops at the interval and sent them back out with the words more of the same ringing in their ears. The second half started where the first had left off with Aberdeen desperately trying to get out of their backline and the sharks midfield sending it straight back in. With the sharks twin tower ruckmen McIntyre and Young dominating the stoppages and the forwards Chadwick, McManus and McKinlay starting to look dangerous it wasn’t long before the sharks started to add scoreboard pressure to Aberdeen’s growing list of worries. It was only the shark’s inaccuracy that was keeping Aberdeen in the game and if the sharks could straighten up in front of goal they had a real chance to blow Aberdeen away. It wasn’t to be and the game petered slowly out until the final siren. The sharks ran out 17 point winners 2.6.18 to 0.1.1

Game 4 plate final Glasgow Shark’s v Huddersfield Rams
After a good win over Aberdeen the Sharks had earned a place in the plate final against the Huddersfield Rams. After not having highly successful days both teams looked up for the challenge and were wanting to take home some silverware as a reward for all their hard work and effort put in over the course of the day. The rams won the toss and elected to kick with the wind in the first half meaning for the fourth time in a row the sharks found themselves kicking into the wind in the first half. The sharks ruck duo McIntyre and Young were doing a great job contesting in the middle and around the ground against two mobile rams ruckmen providing good service to the sharks on ballers Thompson, Dubojski, Connor and Bell. Both teams managed to get on the scoreboard early in the half with some entertaining flowing football. The sharks rotating backline of Wilson, O Kelly, Smith, and O Hara were again showing that they are a very tough unit to break down conceding very little in the half. The sharks got a free kick inside their scoring zone just before the half time siren but the kick drifted with the breeze across the face of goal only for a minor score meaning the sharks went into the change trailing by less than one straight kick. Coach Connor had limited time to talk to his men as the kick after the siren had eaten into the interval time but whatever he said must have been inspiring as the sharks started the second half full of run and with forwards McManus, McKinlay and Chadwick getting on top of their opponents the sharks managed to boot back to back goals and take the lead. The rams hit back however with two of their own and by the midway point of the half had regained the lead. With the game in the balance and needing a hero Dan Connor not the biggest player on the ground decided he was going to take on the ram’s ruckman competing for a pack mark. Without any regard for his body he crashed the pack causing the ball to spill free got crunched to the ground bounced straight back up sprinted after the ball made a tackle to cause the ball to go out so the sharks could set up for the stoppage. From the stoppage the sharks moved the ball forward but were unable to hit the scoreboard as the rams rebounded the attack and managed to boot a major almost putting the game out of reach. Knowing there was not a lot of time left on the clock the sharks pushed forward from the bounce but ran out of time as the siren sounded to end the game before they could score leaving the rams to run out 7 point victors 3.3.21 to 4.4.28

The final quarter started with a much more open style of play as both teams were now feeling the effects of putting in so much effort running on the heavy Victoria Park ground for 3 quarters. As a result of the game opening up both teams found it much easier to score and were trading goals. With the momentum shifting from team to team the final term saw the lead change four times. Then with what looked to be the decisive blow the Makos got back to back goals to open up a buffer. With not long to go on the clock the Tigers struck back with a goal to close the margin and give them some belief they could come back and win. Then from a kick in the Makos failed to touch the ball before it went out and the Tigers were awarded a free kick, then to make matters worse for the Makos a 25 meter penalty was added for an undisciplined act, which took the Tigers into kicking distance of goal. The Tigers kicked the goal and got themselves to within a point. With seconds left on the clock the Makos were able to lock the ball into a contest and were able to run down the clock until the whistle blew to end the game. The Makos kicked 4.1.25 to the Tigers 4.3 27 for the term to win by a solitary point 1.10.8.77 to 11.10.76.
The Tigers actually had two more scoring shots than the Makos so that shows the importance of the super goal in the end it decided this exciting game so let’s see more of them girls. All the players on the day voted Andy Butler best on the ground so Andy receives the mug this game. Enjoy the free beer Andy and well done.
See ya on the boundary line next time
Cheer’ cheer the blue and the white
The Great White

The first quarter got underway with both teams having numerous forward entries but both teams were unable to capitalize on their good work. With both teams backlines rebounding the ball well the game looked to be turning in to a real arm wrestle. It was the tiger sharks though who looked to have settled the quicker and with some good ball movement opened the scoring with a goal just before the midway point of the quarter. After getting the first goal the floodgates seemed to open as the tigers took control of the game running out the quarter kicking 3.3.21 while keeping the card sharks scoreless.

The second stanza started with the card sharks knowing what they had to do to get back into the game and they clearly lifted their intensity. With a much tighter man on man approach all over the ground the card sharks managed to stop the bleeding and turn the game into a much more even contest. Both teams were enjoying some good passages of play but were letting that good play go to waste by not being able to manufacture effective final passes into their respective forward lines resulting in a low scoring second term. The tigers could only extend their lead by a solitary point kicking 1.1 for the quarter to the card sharks 1 goal straight giving the tigers a 22 point lead at the main break 4.4.28 to 1.0.6

The third term got underway in a much more open fashion with some of the best football of the day being played. The tigers opened the scoring early in the quarter with a major only to have the card sharks answer back immediately with a goal of their own. As the quarter wore on the open style of play saw the team’s trade goals with some highly entertaining football. Both teams were taking advantage of the open spaces and were having much more success delivering the ball to leading forwards resulting in easier shots at goal. It was the tigers though who managed to extend their lead to 28 points going into the last change kicking four straight to the card sharks three straight making it 8.4.52 to 4.0.24.

Both teams started the final stanza on tired legs from the effort given in the third term and the heavy Victoria park surface and the game quickly turned into a scrappy affair. The tigers opened the scoring for the term with a goal early on almost putting the game out of reach. The card sharks though, showing they were not going to give up answered back midway through the quarter giving themselves a flicker of hope and the intensity lifted again. But as the tigers kicked the next goal all doubt was gone and the card sharks were left paying the price for their slow start. The tiger sharks ran out winners by 35 points 10.6.66 to 5.1.31

See ya on the boundary next time
Cheer’ cheer the blue and the white
The Great White

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CONVICTS   V   DOCKERS   12/ 02 / 2012

Hello and welcome shark’s fans. Sunday saw the second mixed intra club game of the season. This was another highly contested game played between John McIntyre’s Dockers and Scott O’Hara’s Convicts. With 20 players down at the green and slightly better weather conditions than in recent weeks this one shaped to be an intriguing contest. The Dockers won the toss and decided to kick to the city end of Glasgow green into slight breeze.

As the first quarter got under way it was evident that this was going to be a battle of the midfields. Both teams were fighting hard to gain the ascendancy but having little effect as both backlines were defending staunchly repelling most forward thrusts. On the rare occasions the ball did venture deeper into the forward lines both sets of forwards seemed to have left their kicking boots in their bags as not a single major was kicked in the quarter. It was the Dockers who went into the first change with their noses just in front.

The second stanza started with both teams seaming to take advantage of the better weather conditions being able to clear the congestion in the middle with fluent ball movement by both hand and foot. The new players to the club were also showing a high level of maturity and confidence showing the value of the experience gained by playing in the game last month. The forwards on both teams were also taking advantage of the now fluent ball movement and having now found their kicking boots the teams traded goals for the rest of the quarter. It was the Dockers who were able to slightly extend their lead at the main change.

The third quarter started in the same fashion as the second. It was the Convicts though who seemed to move up a gear and were rewarded for their hard work with early goals to narrow the Dockers lead. The Dockers upped their intensity to match the Convicts half way through the quarter and the game was back in the balance. With both teams not wanting to concede bodies were flying in at every contest. The girls on both teams were also showing their willingness to put their heads over the footy showing no signs of intimidation collecting possessions at both ends of the ground as the intensity lifted. The Dockers managed to kick a steadying goal late in the quarter and reopen their lead going into the last change.

The final stanza started in a flurry with an early goal for the determined looking Dockers that almost had them out of sight. The Convicts not to be out done answered straight back with a 9 point goal almost immediately after the restart keeping them interested bringing the margin back to a manageable deficit. With the game back in the balance it quickly turned into an arm wrestle with both teams working hard to give their respective forwards first use. Both backlines were standing up well under intense pressure and scoring became difficult. Both teams managed late goals but in the end the Dockers ran out comfortable victors.

See ya on the boundary line next time

Cheer cheer the blue and the white

The Great White

]]> http://glasgowsharks.co.uk/2010/2012/2281/feed/ 0 http://glasgowsharks.co.uk/2010/2012/jackos-challenge-poll/ http://glasgowsharks.co.uk/2010/2012/jackos-challenge-poll/#comments Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:42:44 +0000 Stephen http://glasgowsharks.co.uk/2010/?p=2182 Sharks this weeks Jackos Challenge will take place on the 18th your four choices are below, remember and get other people interested in the poll also and good luck to the guys.

Voting Ends Saturday 18th at 12pm

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On Sunday 22nd we got to see the first action for the 2012 season as the sharks held their first ever mixed intra club game. It was a cold and wet morning at Glasgow green but that did not deter anyone from going down. With fantastic numbers of 27 people in all, including 10 first gamers arriving for the 10 o’clock start it was to be a 12 a side game with the others performing game day duties. The teams were picked into the Convicts captained by Scott O Hara and the Dockers captained by Robert McKinley. The game was played under full AFL rules with the inclusion of goals kicked by any of the women would be worth 9 points instead of the usual 6. This was to help encourage the women to be involved in the play and show everyone the results of team play.

The first quarter saw the Convicts kicking with a 2 to 3 goal breeze and after some good play from the middle quickly skipped out to a 3 goal lead. It wasn’t until half way through the stanza that the Dockers steadied and managed to kick back to back goals to narrow the Convicts lead. With the first gamers on both sides now getting a feel for the game and growing in confidence, the rest of the quarter stayed a very even affair with the Convicts taking a small lead into the first change.

The second term gave the Dockers the chance to use the breeze and use it they did kicking early unanswered goals to take the lead and looked ready to take the game by the scruff of the neck. It was to be the Convicts though who were next to hit the scoreboard and took the wind out of the Dockers sails. With both teams backlines working well rebounding most forward attacks the game quickly turned into an arm wrestle and the quarter came to an end with very little separating the teams.

Both captains must have given inspirational half time talks as the intensity clearly lifted at the start of the third with both teams showing a willingness to put their heads over the ball. This courage and aggression for the ball was paying dividends and as an indication of how evenly matched both teams were they were back trading goals. It would be the Dockers though to take the smallest of margins into the last change setting up a tasty last quarter.

The final stanza started with both teams hard at it but with tired legs, heavy ground and a now very slippery ball both teams were finding it hard to score majors. It was the Convicts though who managed to get their noses in front. Then with minutes to go and the Dockers down by 3 points Hazel Stevenson swooped in to crumb a pack 15 meters out and sent a tumbling punt goal-wards and put herself into the sharks history books by kicking the sharks first ever 9 point goal and put the Dockers up by 1 straight kick. From the resulting ball up the Dockers managed to get the ball forward and scramble a point on the siren to run out 7 point victors in a highly entertaining game.

See ya on the boundary line next time

Cheer, cheer, the blue and the white

The Great White

For more picture click here.

The Sharks took the opportunity to play some new Scottish players who had joined the club over the close season, Gary Bruce & Robert McKinley. The first quarter started well for the Sharks and it was debutant Gary Bruce who was to score a goal with his first touch of the ball. The Sharks were winning good ball from the centre with Dubojski & Mason working well in tandem. The Sharks controlled the quarter well and although the Dingoes were getting the ball down into the scoring zone they couldn’t make any in roads to the scoreboard due to good defensive work and managed 2 behinds to the Sharks 5 goals 3 behinds.

In the 2^nd quarter the dingoes played more fluently with Chris Bettridge in particular appearing all over the park and linking defence to attack better than they had at the start. Tom Drake was playing well for them at the back and Phil Scott was working himself more into the game in the Ruck and at spells up forward.  The Sharks intensity had dropped a little but they managed to keep the scoreboard moving along kicking 4 goals straight for the quarter to the Dingoes 3 goals 1 behind.

After a half time talk it was the Sharks who came out the stronger in the 3^rd quarter Adam Jack playing well both in defence and up forward. Andy Butler foiled several good attacks for the Dingoes and was crucial in the Sharks ability to rebound and set up attacks themselves. For the early part the scores were going from end to end with both teams responding to each other. The Sharks had operated a rotating Ruck duo in John McIntyre and Alex Young and this began to pay off in the later stages of this quarter with good first usage to the on balers getting the Sharks several late goals to increase their lead.

The last quarter went along the same lines as the third quarter with both teams trading blows until the Sharks gained the upper hand. Ross Thomson, Marc Mason and Andy Dubojski had run the show well for the Sharks in midfield all day and continued to drive the ball forward where Adam Jack and Darren Chadwick were making the most of their chances. The Sharks scored 6 goals 3 behinds for the quarter to the Dingoes 2 goals 3 behinds.

It was the first game of the season and both sides will be better for clearing the cob webs out. For the Dingoes Chris Bettridge, Andy Miller and Phil Scott all played well and some of the new players will have gained experience that will serve them well this season. The Sharks had good contributors all over the field especially in defence where Andy Butler, Scott O’Hara and Gus Thomson had kept the potent Dingoes forward line unusually quiet.

Pictures can be found here.

And Video here.

The Glasgow Sharks were in a tough group with Milano Footy Club, Aberdeen Dingoes and Wimbledon Hawks. In the first game of the group the Sharks took on Milano. The sharks showed how their pre-season had helped improve their fitness and skill. This helped the sharks take the early initiative and start the campaign off with a win.

The Sharks met the Aberdeen Dingoes in round two of the competition and having just beaten the dingoes in the SARFL both sides knew what was required to come away with the win. The sharks came away with the win knowing that they were through to the semi finals.

In the last game of the Group stage the Sharks were set to take on the Wimbledon Hawks who like the sharks were currently undefeated. The sharks seemed to have switched off during this game not showing the same intensity as before losing to the Hawks.

In the Draw for the semi Finals the Sharks were to play fierce rivals the Edinburgh Bloods. The match lived up to the expectation with a very intense and close game. The bloods were up by one point at the end of the siren but Adam Jack for the Glasgow sharks had received a free kick before the siren blew, at the half way line. Which meant that Adam had to kick the Goal to win the match and in a tense moment every player on the field was standing on the Bloods goal line and every player on the bench was praying. Adam kicked the goal to send the Sharks to a Grand Final against Wimbledon Hawks.

The Shark seemed to have picked up their intensity for the Grand Final and were out for revenge against the Hawks. The Sharks didn’t stop from beginning to end and showcased some of their best footy of the day. The Sharks kept the Hawks under pressure throughout the match and deserved the win. The Sharks sang their club song as loud as they could before walking off the pitch.