The AFL concept round of a National Community Football weekend certainly played a major role in the Balmain Dockers recording their historic win at Drummoyne Oval on May 10 against the visiting Wollongong Lions.
It had been 672 days since a Balmain Senior side has sung the club victory song but on
Saturday at Drummoyne the song was sung loudly, not once but twice after the Dockers defeated Wollongong by 64 points in what was certainly a major upset for the season. It was 8 July 2006 when Balmain last tasted success, also against Wollongong.
After missing a couple of earlier opportunities this season to record a win Damien Hall's men were not about to let this game slip through their fingers after taking control of the game in the second and third quarters before winning 19.13.127 to 8.15.63. The Community Football concept brought many past Balmain faces back to Drummoyne offering great vocal support as they witnessed a truly courageous effort by the senior side.
Wollongong opened the better of the two teams to lead by nine points at the first change however from this point on the Dockers made all the running. Six goals in the second quarter saw them lead by 16 points at half time. Keen to assert their authority the Dockers kept the Lions goalless in the third quarter, whilst kicking four goals themselves to enter the final quarter with a 44 point lead.
With the match in their grasp and the drought about to be broken the Dockers players enjoyed the last quarter and celebrated by kicking seven goals to eventually run out 64 point winners.
Evan Davis was the star for the Dockers winning many possessions in a best on ground performance which also included four goals. He received great support from Daniel Napper, Ben Clarke and Nick Todd whilst Nathan Darvill was the main goalkicker finishing with six and Ryan Officer also chipped in with three goals.
Next weekend Balmain Dockers representative players Daniel Napper and Daniel Turner will line up in the Sydney AFL team in Newcastle when Sydney Football League play Black Diamond League. The following week the Dockers will be out to continue on their winning way when they travel to Pennant Hills to battle one of the seasons in form sides.
