MD1 PENNO Vs Parramatta

MD1 -R4 25 Apr 2026 Sat - 14:00 pm - Gipps Rd Oval
G B Score PENNO 4 3 27 Parramatta 13 16 94					G B QT ST 0 0 0 0 1 2 8 8					G B QT ST 2 1 13 13 2 5 17 25					G B QT ST 2 0 12 25 7 3 45 70					G B QT ST 0 2 2 27 3 6 24 94
Best Players Harvey Barrett Kieron Coaldrake Henry Toczydlowski Wilson Mudge Jake Condon Matthew Carey
Goal Scorers Lachlan Boyd - 1 Matthew Carey - 1 Henry Toczydlowski - 1 Sam Zikman - 1

ANZAC Day footy away from home always brings with it a certain level of expectation — respect for the occasion, pride in the jumper, and the understanding that nothing comes easy. We were greeted with a beautiful afternoon at Gipps Road Oval, but unfortunately for us, it turned into a long and physically demanding day against what we firmly believe is the benchmark team of the competition.
By the final siren, the scoreboard read Parramatta Goannas 13.16 (94) defeated Pennant Hills Demons 4.3 (27). A tough result, no doubt, but one that provides plenty of lessons as we move deeper into the season.
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The Context Matters
Before jumping straight to the scoreboard, it’s important to understand the circumstances of the day.
We stayed with the Goannas until the major break, competing hard and matching them for effort and intent. However, midway through the first quarter we were already down to three available players on the bench, and by halfway through the final term, the bench had completely disappeared. Add to that the draining heat and a large ground, and energy became a precious commodity very quickly.
That’s not an excuse — just reality.
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How the Game Unfolded
The first half was exactly what you want in an away contest. We applied pressure, worked hard defensively, and stayed composed for long periods. The backline stood tall, the midfield competed honestly, and we managed to move the ball forward often enough to stay in touch.
After halftime, however, the Goannas lifted — and lifted sharply.
Their pressure around the contest intensified, and as fatigue set in, we struggled to maintain composure with ball in hand. Decision making under heat became rushed, skill execution suffered, and we found it increasingly difficult to move the ball with enough depth into our forward line. On a ground of that size, shallow entries are punished — and Parramatta made us pay.
The heat, the rotations, and the cumulative pressure eventually broke the game open, particularly in the last quarter.
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Backline: Outstanding Under Fire
Despite the margin, the backline was exemplary across the board.
They faced repeat entries all day, often under severe pressure, and continued to compete until the final siren. The scoreboard could easily have blown out further without their resilience, communication, and team defence.
Harvey Barrett was outstanding and thoroughly deserved his $50 Player of the Day. His effort never dropped, and he continually put himself in the contest when many would understandably start conserving energy.
Kieron Coaldrake, Jake Condon, and Matt Carey also deserve strong mention for their composure and willingness to compete despite the wave after wave of attack they faced.
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Midfield & Centre Line
The centre line battled hard and never shirked the contest, but this game highlighted an area we need to grow.
Under sustained pressure, we struggled at times to adjust quickly enough on the run. Parramatta’s ability to surge, spread, and overlap tested our ability to reset defensively, and that’s an area we’ll be sharpening over the coming weeks.
Henry Toczydlowski, who took home the $50 Flex Player of the Day, showed great intent and competitiveness, and Wilson Mudge, recipient of the $50 Coaches Award, kept working when the game demanded leadership and resilience above all else.
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Forward Line Challenges
Up forward, opportunities were limited by the length of the ground and the pressure placed on ball users higher up the field. When we did manage clean entries, we converted efficiently, kicking 4 goals from 7 scoring shots.
Goal kickers:
• Zikman – 1 Boyd – 1 King – 1 HT – 1
The challenge moving forward will be finding ways to generate deeper, more dangerous entries, particularly against high pressure teams on big grounds.
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Coach’s Perspective
There’s no sugar coating this — the Goannas are the benchmark, and they showed us what sustained pressure, depth, and polish look like across four quarters.
But there’s also plenty to respect about our effort. We stayed with them early, absorbed pressure for long periods, and continued to compete even when rotations disappeared and legs were burning.
Games like this test belief, resilience, and standards. They reveal where growth is needed — not just physically, but mentally and tactically.
The backline can hold its head high. The midfield knows the work ahead. The forwards continue to look for better connection.
And importantly, the group never stopped.
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Final Word
To the players in other grades — this is Div 1 football. The margins are unforgiving, and pressure exposes everything.
To the Div 1 boys — learn from it, own it, and respond.
We’ll review, we’ll adjust, and we’ll be better for it.
Next week is another opportunity.
Up the Demons.
It now clearly calls out:
• our inability to stick to fundamentals under pressure
• the tendency to revert to long 45 metre kicks to contested options
• and, importantly, the message that we need to stay the course moving forward