From Byron to Ballina, to Murwillumbah and Cabarita, our teams were across the Northern Rivers region showcasing the positive brand of footy we are now becoming accustomed to bringing. Freezing nights and cold mornings did not deter our charges in the slightest, as they all hit the grounds running in the last round before a week off.
Superstars: Swans vs Ballina Bombers
Our legendary Superstars were hosted by Ballina at Fripp Oval on a cool Sunday morning, sporting their usual unbridled enthusiasm and energy, to take on the next challenge in their ever growing development in this game we all love!
It’s fantastic to see so many parents and carers participating with their kids, encouraging them every step of the way, and then watching them progressing each time they play.
As we’ve said before, the Superstars format is really the perfect avenue for first time parents and kids to learn it all together, and provide them with enough knowledge to take the next step into the future!
Go Swannies!
If you have pics of this game and you would like to share them so we can post them here, please email media.lsjafc@gmail.com
Swans Under U8s vs Ballina Bombers U8s
By Coach Peter
It was finally time for our under 8’s to take to the field for our local derby against the Ballina Bombers at Fripp Oval. What a game!! With a lot of training focus over recent weeks on moving and disposing of the ball quickly to a team mate it was fantastic to see all this coming together from the first ruck.
The skill, speed, support and sharp goal shooting they all played with this week was a real spectacle resulting in some of the best play we have seen from the U8’S this season and the smiles it brought to the little champs faces and families around the sideline was worth seeing in the cool windy conditions.
Great work U8’s and enjoy a weekend off next week!
Voucher Winners
Lewis Tyson
Tom Henschke
Swans Under 10s White vs Tweed Tigers Fury U10s
By Coach Rich
We were greeted with a great morning for footy, the temperature mild and with overnight rain and the threat of showers bringing out the possibility of some muddy, wet weather footy, the anticipation was palpable.
With what can only be described as a brief and rather low key warm up session, the boys were eager to get out on the ground and show their wares. After a quick "Go Swannies" and a paint stripping "rev" up from the coaches ringing in their ears, the lads burst onto the field with gusto.
Ballina are always tough and even more so on their home deck. The opposition coach was in fine form pleading with his charges to "show no mercy" against the visitors. A bit harsh I thought, given that I had failed to put up my sheep station as a wager and the little known fact that it was a game in the under 10's junior league.
Anyway... on to the spectacle, and what a good game to watch and have the pleasure to coach. An even contest, Lismore played great football, particularly for such a new collection of team-mates. Having played the slightly weaker Ballina team the week before, we were up against the stronger Ballina side this week and the the boys should hold their heads up high in the playground at school this week, doing all us Swannie's so proud. (Whilst mentioning players in certain positions during this review, the writer has used a large dose of poetic license and is not committing any players to set positions or roles within the team, it is the team's performance as a whole which is most rewarding).
As usual, Harvey continued to hold sway in the middle, chasing leather (or synthetic plastic to be exact), harassing, running and being in all the play..what a talent.
The mids were given an armchair ride again due to the skill, endeavour and all round rucking craft from the twin towers, firstly Lachlan and later in the match, Keegan. Ruck is a position not for the feint-hearted, going up against the oppositions' biggest and brutest players requires great courage and confidence. Done once again with aplomb by both these lads. My word they are coming along well.
The other mids Xavier and Fynn greatly added to the work of centreman Harvey. With their willingness to keep running, breaking away from would be tacklers, and displaying great finesse and skill. It was Xavier turn to shine this week with a voucher winning, dynamic performance played with that great coach pleasing attribute "work rate!!!".
The backline this week Dean, Jonah and Archer were superb under the relentless pressure from the much bigger Ballina players. Jonah was so courageous and is always a fierce competitor giving it his all. Dean showed great pluck all game but never more so than in the final quarter, bravely running with the flight of the ball to ensure a Lismore intercept which saved a certain goal. It was also a great game from our youngest player Archer. So proud of this boy's tenacity, never shirks a contest and repeatedly brought down Ballina players with vice like tackles. Archer won a number of holding the ball free kicks thwarting many of Ballina's attacks and keeping them on their toes. Great effort Archer and well deserving of B.O.G voucher this week.
The match see-sawed quite a bit with alternating goals being scored for much of the match. The Lismore lads never gave up and continued to take their opportunities as they came up.
Goal scoring wasn't easy, especially in the third quarter, but that didn't stop our talented duo of Kypher and Max keeping us in game. Kypher was his usual silky smooth, not only can this boy play with dash and verve, but also always gets his hands dirty doing the grunt work needed to keep the ball in our forward line. Max was once again providing great support, with a thirst for the ball and the contest.
It is here I would like to acknowledge the contribution of the "additions" (a fond term of those boys who always show great willingness and esprit de corps answering the call to play) Jet, Easton, Sid and Davis.
Without the support from these boys and others who have leapt into the fray in past weeks, success and the enjoyment of both game and performance would be severely lacking. Thank You Boys!!!!!! Well done all!!!
Proud coach, Rich
Voucher Winners
Xavier Allman
Archer Henderson
Swans Under U12s vs Ballina Bombers U12s
By Coach Shane
The Under 12’s travelled to Murwillumbah this week and put in another great team effort, with all players contributing. With Caleb going off the ground for a quarter and a half after an accidental hit to eye from a ruck contest, the team stood up and continued to show growth, even with a man down.
A couple of special mentions go to Dylan Buckley, who kicked his 1st goal of the year, and Kypher Dodd booting 4 goals - not bad for an under 10 player1
Fantastic team effort yet again. Lismore 10.0.60 Murwillumbah 0.0.0
Goal kickers Tom Bowker 7, Kypher Dodd 4, Louis Ashby 3, Django Hudson-Sheaffe 3, Malachi Canning 2, Jai Leach 1 , Dylan Buckley 1
Swans Under U14s vs Ballina/Tweed U14s
By Coach Tim
On a freezing cold night in Byron, the under 14’s continued their recent run of form against a combined Ballina and Tweed side.
The Swans dominated the contested ball, frequently getting first use of the ball and pushing it forward. This meant that the backs did not get to see much of the ball and at each break were seen running to the sideline to put on a jumper and warm up.
Positional changes gave all players a chance in each position and those in defence were encouraged to push up the ground and help out the midfield.
Overall, the swans midfield dominance and continued forward pressure was too much for the opposition as they ran away with another win. Go Swannies!
We now head into the Queens Birthday long weekend which means we all get the weekend off from footy!
But do not despair as training is not affected either this week or next week.
There will be a series of consecutive home games just around the corner, so clean off those footy boots, and if you need shorts just contact us by private message or email, or chase one of us down at training or game day!