MD1 PENNO Vs UNSW

MD1 -R11 27 Jun 2026 Sat - 10:20 am - Henson Park
G B Score PENNO 0 0 0 UNSW 0 0 0					G B QT ST 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0					G B QT ST 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0					G B QT ST 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0					G B QT ST 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Best Players Wilson Mudge Zac Morris Kalan Murray Cooper Smith Jordan Adams Andrew Murdoch
Goal Scorers Kalan Murray - 3 Jack Kinnane - 2 Andrew Murdoch - 2 Joshua Bartlett - 1 Matthew Carey - 1

Well, if you’re going to make the trip to Henson Park, you may as well make it worthwhile — and thankfully the boys did exactly that. On a crisp away day (perfect for footy, terrible for anyone who forgot a jacket), Pennant Hills produced a strong four quarter performance to come away with a solid 67 to 37 win over UNSW. A 30-point victory that was built on pressure, work rate, and a growing ability to play our brand for longer.

The Game
From the outset, the tone was set around the contest. We brought good intent and applied pressure that made UNSW work for every possession. While it wasn’t perfect footy early, the effort and connection allowed us to build into the game nicely. As the match unfolded, we started to gain control through the middle and began to win territory. Our ball movement improved as the game went on, and we were able to convert that into scoreboard pressure, particularly in the middle quarters.

To UNSW’s credit, they never went away. They stayed competitive, had moments where they challenged, and made sure we couldn’t drop our guard. But overall, our consistency across four quarters ensured we maintained control and finished the job.

What We Did Well
There were some really pleasing signs across the ground. Our tackling pressure and intensity were excellent. The willingness to hunt the footy carrier and stick tackles created turnovers and gave us repeat opportunities. It was honest, hard footy — the kind that teammates notice, and coaches enjoy (and opposition definitely don’t).

Our short kicking game also looked strong when we trusted it. When we lowered the eyes and connected by foot, we were able to move the ball efficiently and open up the ground. The big tick, however, was our ability to play with consistent intensity for most of the day. That effort base is what allows everything else to function.

Where We Can Improve
While the result was pleasing, we’re not getting carried away just yet (we’ll save that for the changerooms… and maybe the first post game drink). Execution and basic skills still left us wanting at times. Under pressure, we had moments where clean hands, simple kicks, or decision making broke down. Against stronger opposition, those small moments can turn very quickly into scoreboard damage. The challenge moving forward is simple — do the basics better, for longer, especially when the pressure rises.

Standout Performers
A number of players put together strong performances:
• Andrew Murdoch – Outstanding effort all day, deserved $50 Player of the Day
• Squid Murray – Strong around the contest, earning $50 Flex Player of the Day
• Wilson Mudge – Non stop work rate, well rewarded with the $50 Coaches Award

Coach’s Final Word
This was a good step forward. We got reward for effort, showed we can control games when we stick to our structures, and walked away with a solid win on the road. To the Div 1 boys — keep building, stay hungry, and don’t get comfortable. To the players in other grades — this is the level of intensity and pressure required. We’re improving — but there’s still work to do.

Up the Demons.