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SYDNEY AFL turned in a fantastic effort against the highly fancies AFL Canberra at Manuka Oval today, drawing within two points in time on of the last term before going down by 14 points, 16.11 107 to 14.9 93.
It was an outstanding contest from start to finish, although the Sky Blues' delivery to half forward let them down at crucial times during the match.
Sydney produced a strong first quarter, breaking to a three goal lead before Canberra pulled the margin back to nine points at the first change.
The home team lifted in the second term, turning the match into a shootout and kicking seven goals to four to lead by the same margin at the main break, but it was still anybody's game.
Sydney's third quarter was clearly its worst as most of Canberra's five goals came from skill errors, and with the Sky Blues only able to kick two, the margin blew out to 29 points at the final change.
The writing was on the wall and it looked like Sydney might be blown away as Canberra was starting to take full control.
But someone forgot to tell the visitors and they turned in an inspired last quarter, kicking four goals before Canberra looked like scoring, and but for two unlucky posters, would have taken the lead.
Unfortunately, the lead was only thing Sydney didn't get, and Canberra was able to steady with two late goals from full forward Julian @@@@as to hang on and win the Carter-Jesaulenko Shield.
Campbelltown and Pennant Hills produced the biggest contributors for Sydney, with Matt Withers kicking six goals, Simon Webb starring all over the ground and captain Alistair Richardson in everything.
Ben Rogers was lively up forward and Angus Darling was solid in the ruck.
I'm sure a full and comprehensive report will be coming from Norris Lurker, who was there, but for me, it was a terrific game and it showed Sydney football is on the right track - tune in at 8.30pm on Wednesday night on Aurora 183 and see for yourself.
Bring on 2008 at the SCG.
Sydney AFL 4.1 8.3 10.4 14.9 93
AFL Canberra 2.4 9.6 14.9 16.11 107
Scorers: SYDNEY: Matt Withers 6.0, Ben Rogers 3.1, Simon Webb 2.0, Mitchell Sykes 1.1, Alistair Richardson 1.1, David Coupe 1.0, Chris Lees 0.2, Declan Donohue 0.1, Justin Barratt 0.1, Troy Bartlett 0.1, Ron Wason 0.1. CANBERRA: James Kavanagh 4.0, Julian @@@@as 3.1, Jake Myles 2.2, Clint Mathis 2.0, Nick Paine 2.0, Matt Ghirardello 2.0, Aaron Rogers 1.3, Rushed 0.4, Josh Jennings 0.1.
Best: SYDNEY: Simon Webb, Alistair Richardson, Matt Withers, Ben Rogers, Angus Darling, Troy Bartlett. CANBERRA: Roy Jacques, James Kavanagh, Bill Neely, Josh Jennings, Clint Mathis, Jake Myles.
Crowd: Stuff all (about 200 tops) at Manuka Oval.
It was an outstanding contest from start to finish, although the Sky Blues' delivery to half forward let them down at crucial times during the match.
Sydney produced a strong first quarter, breaking to a three goal lead before Canberra pulled the margin back to nine points at the first change.
The home team lifted in the second term, turning the match into a shootout and kicking seven goals to four to lead by the same margin at the main break, but it was still anybody's game.
Sydney's third quarter was clearly its worst as most of Canberra's five goals came from skill errors, and with the Sky Blues only able to kick two, the margin blew out to 29 points at the final change.
The writing was on the wall and it looked like Sydney might be blown away as Canberra was starting to take full control.
But someone forgot to tell the visitors and they turned in an inspired last quarter, kicking four goals before Canberra looked like scoring, and but for two unlucky posters, would have taken the lead.
Unfortunately, the lead was only thing Sydney didn't get, and Canberra was able to steady with two late goals from full forward Julian @@@@as to hang on and win the Carter-Jesaulenko Shield.
Campbelltown and Pennant Hills produced the biggest contributors for Sydney, with Matt Withers kicking six goals, Simon Webb starring all over the ground and captain Alistair Richardson in everything.
Ben Rogers was lively up forward and Angus Darling was solid in the ruck.
I'm sure a full and comprehensive report will be coming from Norris Lurker, who was there, but for me, it was a terrific game and it showed Sydney football is on the right track - tune in at 8.30pm on Wednesday night on Aurora 183 and see for yourself.
Bring on 2008 at the SCG.
Sydney AFL 4.1 8.3 10.4 14.9 93
AFL Canberra 2.4 9.6 14.9 16.11 107
Scorers: SYDNEY: Matt Withers 6.0, Ben Rogers 3.1, Simon Webb 2.0, Mitchell Sykes 1.1, Alistair Richardson 1.1, David Coupe 1.0, Chris Lees 0.2, Declan Donohue 0.1, Justin Barratt 0.1, Troy Bartlett 0.1, Ron Wason 0.1. CANBERRA: James Kavanagh 4.0, Julian @@@@as 3.1, Jake Myles 2.2, Clint Mathis 2.0, Nick Paine 2.0, Matt Ghirardello 2.0, Aaron Rogers 1.3, Rushed 0.4, Josh Jennings 0.1.
Best: SYDNEY: Simon Webb, Alistair Richardson, Matt Withers, Ben Rogers, Angus Darling, Troy Bartlett. CANBERRA: Roy Jacques, James Kavanagh, Bill Neely, Josh Jennings, Clint Mathis, Jake Myles.
Crowd: Stuff all (about 200 tops) at Manuka Oval.
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