FNSW State League Rnd 13 Review

After the bye in Round 13, and the break from the State League over the summer (where many Boomers players continued to play – during the week of Nationals), the club headed to Emerton Leisure Centre in Sydney’s west to take on league newcomers Western Wolves.

Before the round, the Wolves sat in second last position on the State League Club Championship table, with the Boomerangs in sixth – having dropped three positions in the bye round. Based on the overall club records, and individual team performances so far this season, it looked like it would be a good day out for the travelling Boomers.

12 Boys

Boomerangs FS 13 – Western Wolves 1 

The 12 boys finished off their season in style with a rout of the winless Wolves boys. Every Boomer player contributed on the court, with Zac Barbatano capitalising with five goals and Luca Gagliardi netting four. Goals were also scored by Bailey Sorenson, Noah Dowling, Ollie McCarthy and Cody Ashburner.

Only one more win from their twelve games would have seen these boys play finals futsal, but alas, they fell just short and will be ruing some of the closer losses of the season. The lads will no doubt be looking forward to the next season.

Final ladder position for season 14/15:  6th

13 Girls

Boomerangs FS 9 – Western Wolves 0 

The youngest Boomers girls team have improved out of sight this season. At the beginning of the season it looked very much like they would be hovering around the tail end of the competition. However, the girls have responded well to their coaching and training and have improved each and every week, and this 9-0 win over Wolves topped off their season nicely.

These girls lost only one of their last five games of the season (three wins and a draw), and will no doubt be finals contenders for next season as most will still be eligible to play in this age group.

Scorers for the match included Lily Martens, Lucy D’Arcy, Maria Pachi and Emma Ilijoski with two a piece and Stella De Marco with one (and a contributing hand in many of the others)

Final ladder position for season 14/15:  8th

14 Boys

Boomerangs FS 7 – Western Wolves 2 

Like the 12 Boys, the Boomerangs 14 Boys missed the finals by a solitary win this season. And for the final game of the season, they found themselves up against a tough opponent that didn’t give an inch. The hard fought win by the 14 boys was a good result and one which finished the season off nicely (although finals wins would have been better!).

An impressive four goals by Zac Barbatano, once again playing up with the 14s (as he has done most of the season) saw him net nine goals for the day – an impressive outing for the young star. Other goals came from Ben Obst (2) and David Rodriguez (1).

Final ladder position for season 14/15:  6th

15 Girls

Boomerangs FS 18 – Western Wolves 0

This group of girls just keeps performing, and have won their last seven games of the regular season. The win over the hapless Wolves team was not unexpected, but the manner in which the girls dominated and the final scoreline certainly was.

In red-hot form, these girls will be a real threat through the finals series.

Goals (the many) to: Alicia Meuronen (5), Carrissa Arlott and Hayley McLachlan hatricks (3 each), Sonia Pasquariello, Isobella D’Amico and Grace Basser-Silk doubles (2 each) and one to Ivana Galic.

Final ladder position for season 14/15:  3rd

16 Boys

Boomerangs FS 12 – Western Wolves 4 

The sixteen boys have struggled all season with a lack of players – especially for away games – and this game was no different. And whilst giving many of the 14s a good opportunity to play up a level, on many occasions this has been a bit too much to ask the younger players.

Indeed this game was no different, against the stronger of the Wolves junior teams. The boys worked hard to be level at 3-3 at half-time, but a few early second half goals, and a bit of experimentation with a fly keeper by the Boomers for most of the second half, saw the scoreline blow out to 12-4.

Goal scorers included Harry Williams, David O’Gorman, Ben Obst and Connnor Bill.

This age group will definitely need some additional attention next season, as a few of the 16 year olds will be graduating to Youth, and the remaining 15s will need some additional players to put together a competitive team.

Final ladder position for season 14/15:  10th

17 Girls

Boomerangs FS 4 – Western Wolves 2 

The 17 girls have been a strong unit all season with many of them also regularly benching (or indeed starting) for the Women’s team. Indeed so strong have they been that they have lost only one game all season — but the four draws have held back their finals hopes.

So like both the 12 and 14 Boys teams, these girls were only three competition points from playing finals futsal.

This game though – against the eighth placed Wolves – required them to work hard for the win; and they proved what a quality outfit they are. The goals were evenly spread to Alex Martens, Maddy Whittall, Rachel Corbett and Ruth Kravis.

Final ladder position for season 14/15:  5th

Youth Men

Boomerangs FS 8 – Western Wolves 4 

The Youth Men had to work hard in the second half after the Wolves Youth pushed them all the way in the first period to be leading 3-2. The lads struggled a little in adapting to the very small court at the Emerton Leisure Centre (after a week at Nationals on international size courts), but worked hard through a second half they dominated scoring six goals to one, finishing up victors 8-4.

The lads have now won nine games in a row and are on a hot streak going into finals (and on the back of most of them winning Nationals Youth). A solitary loss in the first round to Sutherland 3-2 and a 2-2 draw in Round 3 to Sydney Eagles are the only blemishes on this season’s record.

Hat-tricks to Thomas Zeitlhofer and Chris Smith (3), and singles to Nicholas Rathjen and Jake Wilsener.

Final ladder position for season 14/15:  2nd

Open Women

Boomerangs FS 9 – Western Wolves 3 

Another dominant performance by the Boomers team of the season in the State League. This win saw the ladies remain on top of the competition ladder having lost only a solitary match all season – and importantly, working hard to convert potential draws into wins to secure the three competition points.

Like the Youth Men, the Women’s team lost to Sutherland in Round 1, but since them have brushed away all other opponents. This should see them hit the finals as favourites.

Goal scorers included a hat-trick to Hayley Buckingham, a double to Alex Martens, and singles to Michaela Day, Sabrina Spinapolice, Michelle Aurousseau and Maddy Whittall.

Final ladder position for season 14/15:  1st

Open Men

Boomerangs FS 0 – Western Wolves 2 

The Open Men suffered – much like the 16 Boys – from a lack of a regular players each week – especially those available to travel for the away games. With the vast majority of the Youth Men backing up again this week – after a tough game of their own – the challenge on the small court at Emerton was a tad too tough this week.

The strong Wolves team played well on their home court and were hoping for a finals berth, however results in other games ensured they missed out on goal difference. A disappointing game to finish the season for the Boomer’s men’s team, who with a full roster could have – and should have – dominated in this competition. A huge thanks to the men’s players that turned up consistently to play week in week out and to the Youth who filled in every week.

Final ladder position for season 14/15:  7th

Seven wins and two losses an excellent day out and a good way to end the season.

Finals commence next week and will see:

15 Girls playing in the elimination semi (3rd v 4th) against Mt Druitt Town Ranges.

Youth Men playing in a qualifying semi (1st v 2nd) against Sutherland.

Open Women playing in a qualifying semi (1st v 2nd) also against Sutherland.