Waitakere, North Shore and Mt Roskill have all scored big wins in Round four of the 2017 Auckland AFL.
In last years Grand Final rematch, Waitakere ran all over the University Blues to record a six goal victory to keep their unbeaten run alive for another week. Mt Roskill put on a scoring masterclass kicking 19 goals to run out 113 point winners over Manurewa and over on the North Shore, the Tigers were slow starters against the Howick Hornets but kicked into gear in the second half to secure their third win of the season.
Waitakere Magpies vs University Blues
24th September, 2.00pm, Parrs Park, Oratia.
Great conditions out at Parrs Park on a sunny afternoon and the Magpies were wary of University following their loss to the Tigers in Round 3.
Waitakere were quick off the mark and played well in the first quarter, working some good passages of play out from their backline and into the forward line. Returning forward Ben Hutton gave the crowd something to cheer about early on taking a strong mark from 50m out and kicking a set shot to slot home a 60m goal.
University started the second quarter strong and kept Waitakere to only two goals and a goal right on half time helped them get back in the game.
Waitakere showed their potential in the second half and were clinical moving the ball through the corridor. This put the game out of reach as the defending premiers ran away with a 35 point victory.
Huge defensive efforts from NZ representative David Rattenbury kept University from scoring which helped keep a healthy lead throughout the game. Dan McGregor was dominating in the forward line taking strong contested marks all game and kicking three goals.
“We are getting better game by game but the Pies still haven’t put in a complete performance thus far this season. We play Howick in two weeks time and we won’t be taking them lightly as they seem to be playing some good footy.”
The Magpies hold their position at the top of the AAFL ladder and will enjoy the week off to recover.
Mt Roskill Saints vs Manurewa Raiders
24th September, 2.00pm, War Memorial Park, Mt Roskill.
In a brilliant display of both attack and defence, the Mt Roskill Saints have enjoyed a 113 point win over the Manurewa Raiders at War Memorial Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Saints only let in two goals for the entire game while down the other end of the ground, the Saints forwards were having a field day.
It was a ping pong battle for the first half as both sides were sounding each other out, before the Saints managed to string handballs through the middle that lead to deep forward entries.
Mt Roskill stalwart Matt Kemp had a day out in front of goal kicking 6 goals for the game. Fellow forward Siope Ngata was a big target up front for the Saints, showing some of the skills that made him an international scholarship holder.
Michael Boyce was solid through the middle of the ground, winning a lot of hard ball and capped off the day with a rare goal.
Anthony D’Aloisio found a lot of space out wide interacting well with Taylor Alaelua and Will Dickinson from out the backline.
Saints ruckman Gareth Smart came up against AFL New Zealand Premiership Player Josh Allen in the ruck, which was a great battle for first use of the footy all day.
Raiders youngsters Joel Brown and Isaac Piper were effective in their disposals and both looked dangerous when given space to run with the ball. Vandyn ‘Diesel’ Hartman was best for the Raiders showing his class once again.
The 19 goal win lift Mt Roskill up to third place on the ladder along with a healthy percentage.
North Shore Tigers vs Howick Hornets
24th September, 2.00pm, Onepoto Domain, Northcote.
Fresh off their victory last week against the Raiders, Howick travelled over the North Shore to take on the talented North Shore Tigers at Onepoto Domain.
Early on, the Hornets pushed the Tigers and with missing a few experienced players through injury, Howick kept themselves in the game up until midway through the second quarter.
The Tigers squad included North Harbour Rugby legend Willie Walker who looked promising with a bit of space to move while Drew Bridge was strong in the ruck.
An eight goal third quarter from the Tigers split the game open and put the game out of reach for the young Howick side. Robbie Mostert was making it look easy in the third kicking three goals.
Andriu Sucu provided the home crowd with something to cheer about in the third quarter, playing up front, Sucu chased down a Howick player and in one fluid motion; tackled, ripped the ball clear and spun away from the contest running in to space to nail a 30m shot from the left pocket in to a howling head wind.
The AAFL takes a break next week for AFL Grand Final weekend but join us for the Auckland AFL Grand Final function at The Paddington in Parnell. More details in the image below.
Story – AAFL
