Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT FINAL Blues 0 14 5 3 0 22 Hunters 0 0 0 0 0 0
Game Statistics: Blues Hunters First Downs 14 9 Third Down Conversions 4 4 Third Downs 15 14 Third Down Percentage 26.7% 28.6% Fourth Down Conversions 1 0 Fourth Downs 2 1 Fourth Down Percentage 50.0% 0.0% Two Pt Conversions Made 0 0 Two Pt Conversions Attempted 0 0 Two Pt Conversion Percentage 0.0% 0.0% Offense Redzone Num 4 0 Offense Redzone TDs 2 0 Offense Redzone FGs 1 0 Offense Redzone Percentage 75.0% 0.0% Rushing Attempts 40 19 Rushing Yards 129 68 Rushing Average 3.2 3.6 Rushing TDs 2 0 Passing Yards 87 70 Passing Completions 12 12 Passing Attempts 28 35 Completion Percentage 42.9% 34.3% Passing Average 3.1 2.0 Passing TDs 0 0 Offensive Pass Interceptions 0 4 TOTAL OFFENSE 216 138 Defensive Pass Interceptions 4 0 Punt Return Yards 12 5 Kick Return Yards 44 58 Punts 7 7 Punt Avg 47.4 54.4 Fumbles 0 0 Fumbles Lost 0 0 Penalties 4 5 Penalty Yds 39 29 Turnovers 0 4 TIME OF POSSESSION 36:11 23:49
Match Report;
Ogden brought back to earth by Sydney Defence ------------------------------------------------------------ Newcastle,NSW- The magic went out as Rookie Quarterback Luke Ogden was comprehensively shut down by what is fast becoming one of the greatest defences of all time. Newcastle were averaging 18 points per game and in their last 4 outings they had not been kept to below 27 points but against Sydney in a game that would have kept their season alive they were shut out.
Ogden himself had a night to forget. After a solid start he began to press and in the end finished with 4 interceptions. In fact he did not even finish the night as the news got much worse for Ogden as he left the game with what would be latter diagnosed as a torn pectoral.
Sydney meanwhile have quietly compiled a 10 win season. They are very much flying under the radar. "Yeah I think people under estimate us and I am happy with that" said Graeme Eadie. "I think this is the best defence I have ever had and when you consider the stars and the players I have coached over the years that is saying something". But can defence alone take the Blues all the way? "If you have watched how the offense is coming together, the way Matty Heasman is running the show I think we have much more to offer than just defense". Heasman has not thrown a pick in two weeks and turnovers were hurting Sydney before he arrived from Townsville mid-season. With less mistakes the Blues were able to win the battle of field position thanks to the run game and today Matt Smith benefit with two rushing touchdowns from short yardage. Mike Williams added two more field goals in the second half and Rashard Jeanty sacked Ogden for a Safety to round out the big win, 22-0.
Injury Report; BLU FS 36 A.Elisala Strained knee 1-2 weeks Week 18 HUN CB 36 X.Rhodes Abdominal strain 1-2 weeks Week 18 WR 89 M.Horo Sprained elbow 0-1 weeks Week 18 OT 68 J.Boss Bruised hand 0-1 weeks Week 18 QB 7 L.Ogden Torn Pectoral 8-9 weeks IR
Individual Stats: Hunters PASSING CMP ATT YDS PCT YPA SACK TD INT LONG RATING William Hemshaw 0 3 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 39.6 Luke Ogden 12 32 87 37 2.7 3 0 4 16 6.2
RUSHING ATT YDS AVG LONG TD FUM Ian Lasscock 10 42 4.1 16 0 0 Luke Ogden 3 16 5.3 11 0 0 Luke Gordon 5 9 1.7 4 0 0 Peter Paea 1 1 1.0 1 0 0
RECEIVING REC YDS AVG LONG TD DROP YAC Robert Meachem 3 30 10.0 16 0 0 1 Peter Paea 3 24 8.0 9 0 0 11 David Ingram 2 16 8.0 8 0 1 2 Matthew Horo 2 16 8.0 11 0 0 3 Ian Lasscock 2 1 0.5 3 0 0 13 Dean Hemsworth 0 0 0.0 0 0 1 0 Doug Gabriel 0 0 0.0 0 0 1 0