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Sydney AFL Preliminary Final 2012
SYDNEY AFL PRELIM FINAL 2012
Article and Prelim Final photos by Michael Shillito. Grand Final pics thanks to sydneyafl.com.au
We started the season in Premier Division with eleven teams. After the home and away series, five remained. Each week has seen one eliminated, and now we have our Grand Finallists. But it took an enthralling Preliminary Final that would go down to the wire before UNSW-ES?s opponent in the Grand Final was decided.
Pennant Hills had gone down narrowly to the Bulldogs in the Second Semi last week, but had another chance to qualify for the Grand Final. Their opponents were Balmain, who had got to the game with back to back wins over St George in the Elimination Final and North Shore in the First Semi. It was another gloriously sunny Sunday, and Blacktown International Sportspark was looking good.
Pennant Hills defender Seb Parker was celebrating his 150th game, and a run-through banner was prepared for him to celebrate the occasion. And the Demons got off to an explosive start, getting the centre break. Stephen Wray?s long kick sailed out on the full, but the Balmain free was intercepted by Matt Carey who went back and put the opening goal of the game on the board.
But the Dockers quickly replied, with Thomas Matson bursting through a congested pack after a boundary throw-in to score. For the next ten minutes, the ball travelled from end to end before Matt Round found himself at the end of a chain of handpasses to drill the ball through and give the Dockers the lead.
Honours were even in the first quarter, with the Dockers four points ahead at the first change. And it took just 20 seconds for the Dockers to add six points to their lead, with Ben Taggart snapping truly from the boundary. Tom Widmer replied for the Demon, but momentum was swinging Balmain?s way. Taggart quickly got his second, and was denied a third by a poster. Brad Plug found himself unattended to take an uncontested mark 30 metres from home, and the Dockers were out to a three-goal lead.
But every time the Dockers looked like pulling away, the Demons would fight back. It wasn?t looking good for the Demons when Brandon Jack went for a run, taking two bounces before losing the ball. But a quick snap by Alex Goodall lifted the Demons. The Pennant Hills intensity lifted, and Josh Barty exemplified the lift in Demon spirit as he put in a blistering tackle to bring down Adrian Hill. The Demons found runners in space, with Tim Wales finding Nick Campbell; and after Campbell put the goal through, the margin was back to seven points at half time.
The Pennant Hills run continued in the opening minute of the third term. Brandon Jack showed he still had some of his rugby league skills as he sidestepped the Balmain tacklers before slamming a goal through to cut the margin to one point. At the other end, Damian Dell?Aquila landed a crunching tackle from behind on Aaron Cottrell as the Docker was running into an open goal.
But at the seven minute mark, Taggart flew high over two opponents to mark on the forward pocket. It was a tight angle, and Taggart went for the checkside but made no mistake.
The Demons were denied a reply when Alex Goodall was pinged by the umpires for running too far. At the other end, Taggart was ridden in the back and took advantage of the free to add another. Brad Plug faced minimal resistance to mark and add another; and then Taggart kicked his third for the quarter, the Docker lead was out to 25 points.
The Demons were in trouble on the forward line, as Nick Campbell, Sam Widmer and Luke Bilbe put down chest marks within a minute; before a snap by Matt Carey gave the Demons a much-needed goal deep in time-on. And they should have added another, when Campbell was awarded a free within kicking range. The siren sounded as Campbell was lining up his kick, but he missed and the Demons were 18 points in arrears at the last change.
Day was turning into night, the floodlights had taken over from natural light. And the Demons? prospects were looking darker in the early stages of the final quarter. For five minutes the ball was camped on the Demons? forward line, but they could manage only behinds to show for their efforts. And against the run of play, the Dockers got their first inside 50 at the five minute mark of the quarter, with Taggart being unable to hold a mark but knocking the ball to an unattended Troy Luff in the square.
The Dockers were 21 points ahead and looking on their way to victory. But last week in the Second Semi, a late surge by Pennant Hills breathed life into a contest that looked dead and buried; and the same would happen again, as the Demons came back hard midway through the quarter.
At 11 minutes, Matt McCamey forced a turnover and snapped truly to throw the Demons a lifeline. Three minutes later Stephen Wray fired off a lightning handball to Brant Jack before getting it back and snapping on the run, bringing the pro-Demons crowd to their feet. And when a long, penetrating kick found Luke Bilbe, who kicked truly from 30 metres, the Demons were back to within a point with still plenty of time left on the clock.
The nervous tension was rising. Tom Mabon had a chance to steady the Docker ship after receiving a free kick at the edge of the goalsquare. But somehow he managed to miss from 10 metres. But from the kick-in, Aaron Cottrell regained possession, milking the clock before going short to Taggart. The big Docker took his full allotment of time before kicking his sixth goal, enough to ensure a spot in the Grand Final.
The final margin was nine points. Ben Taggart finished with six goals, and along with Tom Matson and Kristian Pearson were among Balmain?s best. For the Demons, Cameron Smith, Damian Dell?Aquila and Matt Carey were prominent performers. It had been a successful season for the Demons, but a place in the Grand Final would elude them. For the ninth year in the last ten, the team that lost the Second Semi would also lose the Preliminary Final.
And so Balmain, for the second year in a row, are through to Sydney football?s biggest day. Last year they were belted by Sydney Hills Eagles, but now they have a chance to right that wrong. For much of the season, a Grand Final berth looked out of reach; and the Dockers had to get to the Grand Final the hard way, with three sudden-death finals. But they made it.
The Dockers were relieved more than jubilant to take the win, with a low-key singing of the song in the rooms after the game. As they know only too well, they haven?t won anything yet; and UNSW-ES are rested, ready and waiting for what promises to be a tightly-contested and closely fought Grand Final.
Balmain 3.2 6.6 10.9 12.11 (83)
Pennant Hills 2.4 5.5 7.9 10.14 (74)
Goals : Balmain ? B Taggart 6, B Plug 3, T Matson, T Luff, M Round. Pennant Hills ? M Carey 2, S Wray 2, N Campbell, A Goodall, M McCamey, L Bilbe, T Widmer, Brandon Jack.
Best : Balmain ? T Matson, B Taggart, K Pearson, D Brian, K Ericsson, B Plug. Pennant Hills ? C Smith, D Dell?Aquila, M Carey, N Campbell, Brandon Jack, A Crisfield.
Division One ? Preliminary Final:
Southern Power 2.3 6.6 10.9 13.12 (90)
University of Technology 1.0 2.0 3.2 5.3 (33)
Goals : Southern Power ? S Davies 4, M Graham 2, J Wilson, A Fritsch, S Demir, B Jansson, L Davis, T Smith, D Turner. UTS ? L Preston 2, A Curley, J Hume, L Meyrick.
Best : Southern Power ? R Murphy, L Findlay, A Craig, G Enright, T Smith, S Davies. UTS ? L Preston, J Curtis, S Kinross, S McGuinness, Z Jardine, S Silver.
Under 18s One ? Preliminary Final:
Illawarra 3.6 4.9 6.12 13.14 (92)
Sydney University 2.0 6.4 8.6 11.8 (74)
Goals : Illawarra ? B Hoctor 4, J Lavender 4, J Roebuck 2, B Forst 2, H Dobson. Sydney Uni ? R Hall 3, J Hiscox 2, J Webster, D Risby, M Powys, F Skulley, J Braico, Y Jaffer.
Best : Illawarra ? J Sutherland, H Dobson, S Potter, J Lavender, R Hamilton, B Forst, K Anu. Sydney Uni ? J Hiscox, Y Jaffer, A O?Dea, J Braico, F Skulley, M Powys.
Under 18s Two ? Preliminary Final:
Southern Power 1.1 3.2 6.6 11.8 (74)
Balmain 0.2 3.3 6.4 8.5 (53)
Goals : Southern Power ? J Blewett 3, H McLean 2, T Cashman 2, J Hallinan 2, L Hamling, P Bird. Balmain ? T Garrick 3, B Parbury 2, B Yole, B Plug, J Welsh.
Best : Southern Power ? R Sharpe, M Young, L Pollard, L Hamling, N Park, D Walters. Balmain ? E Woodend, H Jenkins, B Thomson, T Garrick, L Bennell, A Duell-Ferguson.
FIRST GRAND FINAL DAY
On Saturday afternoon at Blacktown International Sportspark, four Grand Finals were contested. And, repeating a trend we?ve seen since divisionalisation was introduced, four different clubs took out the titles.
In Division Two, UNSW-ES and St George fought out a thriller. A low-scoring game in which the pendulum of the lead swung numerous times, would go down to the wire.
The Dragons wasted opportunities to kick away in the opening term, and despite having the better of play around the ground, only had a five point lead to show for it. And the arm-wrestle continued in the second term; with the Bulldogs having the answers every time the Dragons looked to get out to a lead. The second term ended as it started, with the Dragons leading by five points.
Just one goal apiece was scored in the third term, and with St George leading by just two points at the last change, the game was up for grabs.
The Bulldogs took the lead in the last quarter, with goals to Ben Camilleri and Tyson Deering and a string of behinds seeing the Bulldogs 14 points clear midway through the quarter; and the premiership looked destined to head to the Village Green.
But the Dragons wouldn?t be denied, with Jon Shineberg and Vincent Stevens getting goals on the board to get back in the contest. And with just seconds left on the clock, Jonathan Ford became the hero of Olds Park as he snapped the winner.
In emotional scenes, Jon Shineberg received the best on ground medal; while Gavin Raper and Vincent Stevens also made important contributions. For the Bulldogs, George Pallett, Daniel Sprange and Thomas Falvey gave valiant service.
But it was St George?s day. A mix of youngsters and veterans had triumphed. For veterans such as Gavin Raper and Jon Shineberg, no longer senior players but who had stuck around to guide the next generation, it was a reward for their long-standing service to the club and the game. And even if those veterans don?t play on next season, to have played a role in getting St George?s reserves back into Division One next season leaves a legacy for future seasons.
St George 1.6 3.7 4.7 7.8 (50)
Uni NSW-Eastern Suburbs 1.1 3.2 4.5 6.10 (46)
Goals : St George - J Shineberg 3, R Talbot, M Jones, V Stevens, J Ford. UNSW-ES - B Camilleri 2, C Stephens, R Pike, T Falvey, R Crocket.
Best : St George - J Shineberg, G Raper, V Stevens, D Lim, B Carroll, J Stek. UNSW-ES - G Pallett, D Sprange, T Falvey, R Pike, B Humphry, M MacDonald.
In the Division Three Grand Final, UTS came in as underdogs against Blacktown; but getting an early jump proved to be pivotal in the final result.
The Bats were kicking with the wind in the first quarter, taking advantage with four unanswered goals, and would retain the lead throughout the day. The Magic worked harder in the second quarter, making some impact on the deficit; but the Bats were able to score two goals into the wind and remain ten points ahead at the long break.
The third quarter saw UTS pull ahead, taking the game out of Blacktown?s reach. Six goals to one for the quarter opened up a 41-point lead at the last change. With the game safely won, the Bats were happy to count down to the premiership celebrations during the last quarter, in which three goals apiece were scored.
The final margin was 41 points. Simon Horan was awarded the best-on-ground honours, while Michael Izhik and Nicholas Barrett were also prominent. For Blacktown, Dean Connors, Henry Button and Brad Whale were among their best.
For the Bats, the premiership gives the club some silverware to commemorate a remarkable season. Four of UTS?s teams have finished in the top three this season, a tribute to the remarkable depth at the club.
It was a disappointing end to the season for Blacktown, who had dominated the division for most of the year; but to have finished minor premiers and Grand Finallists in the club?s first year of existence is a remarkable achievement.
University of Technology 4.1 6.1 12.3 15.4 (94)
Blacktown 0.0 4.3 5.4 8.5 (53)
Goals : UTS - N Barrett 4, E Williams 3, S Horan 2, N Allardice, A Loxton, B Hay 1, P Bredin, C McKenna, D Flanagan. Blacktown - A Polkinghorne 3, D Clifford 2, H Button, R Theel, J Talbot.
Best : UTS - M Izhik, S Horan, N Barrett, W Woodman, R O'Grady, D Murrell. Blacktown - D Connors, H Button, B Whale, A Polkinghorne, L Corr, L Penrith.
The Division Four Grand Final saw Gosford Wildcats, in their first season in Sydney after crossing over from the Black Diamond AFL, taking on Penrith. The Wildcats had been first to qualify for the Grand Final, but it was the Rams who had the better of proceedings on the day, running out winners by 16 points.
Penrith got off to a flying start, with three goals on the board before the Wildcats scored; on their way to a 17-point lead at quarter time. The game then tightened in the second quarter, and only one goal was scored in the second term. With the Rams scoring that goal, they got out to a 27-point lead at half time.
But Gosford fought back in the third quarter. Five goals to two saw the Wildcats storm back into contention, the margin getting back to nine points at three-quarter time. Gosford had the momentum and were looking a good chance to run over the top in the last quarter, but the three-quarter time break gave the Rams a chance to steady and regroup. And Gosford could go no closer in the last quarter, held goal-less as the Rams repelled all Wildcat attacks to claim a well-earned premiership.
Mark Woodford was awarded the best on ground medal, while Mac McNamara and Mark Jackson also picked up plenty of the ball. For the Wildcats, Brad Deitz, Neil Walker and Peter McCarthy were among their best.
Penrith 5.6 6.11 8.13 9.16 (70)
Gosford 3.1 3.2 8.4 8.6 (54)
Goals : Penrith - M Jackson 2, T Corless 2, M Woodford 2, B Roberts 2, L Geeves. Gosford - S Manuelle 2, B Deitz 2, S Camm, S Burkinshaw, P McCarthy, James Kemp.
Best : Penrith - M Woodford, M McNamara, M Jackson, L Smith, B Roney, L Geeves. Gosford - B Deitz, N Walker, P McCarthy, S Manuelle, D Simonson, J Kemp.
The early arrivers saw a thriller, as Sydney Uni got up for a five-point win over UTS in the Division Five Grand Final.
It was a game of constantly switching momentum, the result in doubt till the end. The Students led by seven points at quarter time, but the Bats fought back to have the scores level at the long break. It had been a low-scoring first half, but there was nothing separating the two sides as they defending strongly, refusing to concede anything to their opponent.
The game opened up in the third term, with the teams scoring four goals apiece as the lead see-sawed. The Bats were two points ahead at the last change, but the lead changes continued during the last quarter. The game remained in the balance until the end, but it was the Students who were holding the last wrapper of the premiership parcel when the music stopped.
Gordon Willis was awarded the best on ground medal after a five-goal haul; while Michael Abbey and Jarrad Carraso made important contributions for the Students. For the Bats, Nicholas McInerney, Daniel Cutlack and Jonathan Bocking were among their best.
Sydney University 2.2 3.3 7.5 10.6 (66)
University of Technology 1.1 3.3 7.7 9.7 (61)
Goals : Sydney Uni ? G Willis 5, J Hunt, J Hollywood, C Reid, P Hunter, W Bannon. UTS ? R Armstrong 3, J Kruss 2, N McInerney 2, J Bocking, R Freeborn.
Best : Sydney Uni ? M Abbey, J Carraso, G Willis, N Tao, J Hollywood, J Hunt. UTS ? N McInerney, D Cutlack, J Bocking, R Armstrong, T Ottens, S Henderson.
GRAND FINAL DAY
Just one day remains on the calendar this year, the highlight of the football year. It?s the famous One Day in September, when the team that wins premiership glory is decided.
Next Saturday at Blacktown International Sportspark is set to be a sensational day of footy. Four games of football, six clubs in action.
The program for Grand Final day next Saturday is:
8:45am ? Under 18s Two ? Manly Warringah v Southern Power
11:00am ? Under 18s One ? Sydney Hills Eagles v Illawarra
1:15pm ? Division One ? Manly-Warringah v Southern Power
3:30pm ? Premier Division ? UNSW-ES v Balmain
Article and Prelim Final photos by Michael Shillito. Grand Final pics thanks to sydneyafl.com.au
We started the season in Premier Division with eleven teams. After the home and away series, five remained. Each week has seen one eliminated, and now we have our Grand Finallists. But it took an enthralling Preliminary Final that would go down to the wire before UNSW-ES?s opponent in the Grand Final was decided.
Pennant Hills had gone down narrowly to the Bulldogs in the Second Semi last week, but had another chance to qualify for the Grand Final. Their opponents were Balmain, who had got to the game with back to back wins over St George in the Elimination Final and North Shore in the First Semi. It was another gloriously sunny Sunday, and Blacktown International Sportspark was looking good.
Pennant Hills defender Seb Parker was celebrating his 150th game, and a run-through banner was prepared for him to celebrate the occasion. And the Demons got off to an explosive start, getting the centre break. Stephen Wray?s long kick sailed out on the full, but the Balmain free was intercepted by Matt Carey who went back and put the opening goal of the game on the board.
But the Dockers quickly replied, with Thomas Matson bursting through a congested pack after a boundary throw-in to score. For the next ten minutes, the ball travelled from end to end before Matt Round found himself at the end of a chain of handpasses to drill the ball through and give the Dockers the lead.
Honours were even in the first quarter, with the Dockers four points ahead at the first change. And it took just 20 seconds for the Dockers to add six points to their lead, with Ben Taggart snapping truly from the boundary. Tom Widmer replied for the Demon, but momentum was swinging Balmain?s way. Taggart quickly got his second, and was denied a third by a poster. Brad Plug found himself unattended to take an uncontested mark 30 metres from home, and the Dockers were out to a three-goal lead.
But every time the Dockers looked like pulling away, the Demons would fight back. It wasn?t looking good for the Demons when Brandon Jack went for a run, taking two bounces before losing the ball. But a quick snap by Alex Goodall lifted the Demons. The Pennant Hills intensity lifted, and Josh Barty exemplified the lift in Demon spirit as he put in a blistering tackle to bring down Adrian Hill. The Demons found runners in space, with Tim Wales finding Nick Campbell; and after Campbell put the goal through, the margin was back to seven points at half time.
The Pennant Hills run continued in the opening minute of the third term. Brandon Jack showed he still had some of his rugby league skills as he sidestepped the Balmain tacklers before slamming a goal through to cut the margin to one point. At the other end, Damian Dell?Aquila landed a crunching tackle from behind on Aaron Cottrell as the Docker was running into an open goal.
But at the seven minute mark, Taggart flew high over two opponents to mark on the forward pocket. It was a tight angle, and Taggart went for the checkside but made no mistake.
The Demons were denied a reply when Alex Goodall was pinged by the umpires for running too far. At the other end, Taggart was ridden in the back and took advantage of the free to add another. Brad Plug faced minimal resistance to mark and add another; and then Taggart kicked his third for the quarter, the Docker lead was out to 25 points.
The Demons were in trouble on the forward line, as Nick Campbell, Sam Widmer and Luke Bilbe put down chest marks within a minute; before a snap by Matt Carey gave the Demons a much-needed goal deep in time-on. And they should have added another, when Campbell was awarded a free within kicking range. The siren sounded as Campbell was lining up his kick, but he missed and the Demons were 18 points in arrears at the last change.
Day was turning into night, the floodlights had taken over from natural light. And the Demons? prospects were looking darker in the early stages of the final quarter. For five minutes the ball was camped on the Demons? forward line, but they could manage only behinds to show for their efforts. And against the run of play, the Dockers got their first inside 50 at the five minute mark of the quarter, with Taggart being unable to hold a mark but knocking the ball to an unattended Troy Luff in the square.
The Dockers were 21 points ahead and looking on their way to victory. But last week in the Second Semi, a late surge by Pennant Hills breathed life into a contest that looked dead and buried; and the same would happen again, as the Demons came back hard midway through the quarter.
At 11 minutes, Matt McCamey forced a turnover and snapped truly to throw the Demons a lifeline. Three minutes later Stephen Wray fired off a lightning handball to Brant Jack before getting it back and snapping on the run, bringing the pro-Demons crowd to their feet. And when a long, penetrating kick found Luke Bilbe, who kicked truly from 30 metres, the Demons were back to within a point with still plenty of time left on the clock.
The nervous tension was rising. Tom Mabon had a chance to steady the Docker ship after receiving a free kick at the edge of the goalsquare. But somehow he managed to miss from 10 metres. But from the kick-in, Aaron Cottrell regained possession, milking the clock before going short to Taggart. The big Docker took his full allotment of time before kicking his sixth goal, enough to ensure a spot in the Grand Final.
The final margin was nine points. Ben Taggart finished with six goals, and along with Tom Matson and Kristian Pearson were among Balmain?s best. For the Demons, Cameron Smith, Damian Dell?Aquila and Matt Carey were prominent performers. It had been a successful season for the Demons, but a place in the Grand Final would elude them. For the ninth year in the last ten, the team that lost the Second Semi would also lose the Preliminary Final.
And so Balmain, for the second year in a row, are through to Sydney football?s biggest day. Last year they were belted by Sydney Hills Eagles, but now they have a chance to right that wrong. For much of the season, a Grand Final berth looked out of reach; and the Dockers had to get to the Grand Final the hard way, with three sudden-death finals. But they made it.
The Dockers were relieved more than jubilant to take the win, with a low-key singing of the song in the rooms after the game. As they know only too well, they haven?t won anything yet; and UNSW-ES are rested, ready and waiting for what promises to be a tightly-contested and closely fought Grand Final.
Balmain 3.2 6.6 10.9 12.11 (83)
Pennant Hills 2.4 5.5 7.9 10.14 (74)
Goals : Balmain ? B Taggart 6, B Plug 3, T Matson, T Luff, M Round. Pennant Hills ? M Carey 2, S Wray 2, N Campbell, A Goodall, M McCamey, L Bilbe, T Widmer, Brandon Jack.
Best : Balmain ? T Matson, B Taggart, K Pearson, D Brian, K Ericsson, B Plug. Pennant Hills ? C Smith, D Dell?Aquila, M Carey, N Campbell, Brandon Jack, A Crisfield.
Division One ? Preliminary Final:
Southern Power 2.3 6.6 10.9 13.12 (90)
University of Technology 1.0 2.0 3.2 5.3 (33)
Goals : Southern Power ? S Davies 4, M Graham 2, J Wilson, A Fritsch, S Demir, B Jansson, L Davis, T Smith, D Turner. UTS ? L Preston 2, A Curley, J Hume, L Meyrick.
Best : Southern Power ? R Murphy, L Findlay, A Craig, G Enright, T Smith, S Davies. UTS ? L Preston, J Curtis, S Kinross, S McGuinness, Z Jardine, S Silver.
Under 18s One ? Preliminary Final:
Illawarra 3.6 4.9 6.12 13.14 (92)
Sydney University 2.0 6.4 8.6 11.8 (74)
Goals : Illawarra ? B Hoctor 4, J Lavender 4, J Roebuck 2, B Forst 2, H Dobson. Sydney Uni ? R Hall 3, J Hiscox 2, J Webster, D Risby, M Powys, F Skulley, J Braico, Y Jaffer.
Best : Illawarra ? J Sutherland, H Dobson, S Potter, J Lavender, R Hamilton, B Forst, K Anu. Sydney Uni ? J Hiscox, Y Jaffer, A O?Dea, J Braico, F Skulley, M Powys.
Under 18s Two ? Preliminary Final:
Southern Power 1.1 3.2 6.6 11.8 (74)
Balmain 0.2 3.3 6.4 8.5 (53)
Goals : Southern Power ? J Blewett 3, H McLean 2, T Cashman 2, J Hallinan 2, L Hamling, P Bird. Balmain ? T Garrick 3, B Parbury 2, B Yole, B Plug, J Welsh.
Best : Southern Power ? R Sharpe, M Young, L Pollard, L Hamling, N Park, D Walters. Balmain ? E Woodend, H Jenkins, B Thomson, T Garrick, L Bennell, A Duell-Ferguson.
FIRST GRAND FINAL DAY
On Saturday afternoon at Blacktown International Sportspark, four Grand Finals were contested. And, repeating a trend we?ve seen since divisionalisation was introduced, four different clubs took out the titles.
In Division Two, UNSW-ES and St George fought out a thriller. A low-scoring game in which the pendulum of the lead swung numerous times, would go down to the wire.
The Dragons wasted opportunities to kick away in the opening term, and despite having the better of play around the ground, only had a five point lead to show for it. And the arm-wrestle continued in the second term; with the Bulldogs having the answers every time the Dragons looked to get out to a lead. The second term ended as it started, with the Dragons leading by five points.
Just one goal apiece was scored in the third term, and with St George leading by just two points at the last change, the game was up for grabs.
The Bulldogs took the lead in the last quarter, with goals to Ben Camilleri and Tyson Deering and a string of behinds seeing the Bulldogs 14 points clear midway through the quarter; and the premiership looked destined to head to the Village Green.
But the Dragons wouldn?t be denied, with Jon Shineberg and Vincent Stevens getting goals on the board to get back in the contest. And with just seconds left on the clock, Jonathan Ford became the hero of Olds Park as he snapped the winner.
In emotional scenes, Jon Shineberg received the best on ground medal; while Gavin Raper and Vincent Stevens also made important contributions. For the Bulldogs, George Pallett, Daniel Sprange and Thomas Falvey gave valiant service.
But it was St George?s day. A mix of youngsters and veterans had triumphed. For veterans such as Gavin Raper and Jon Shineberg, no longer senior players but who had stuck around to guide the next generation, it was a reward for their long-standing service to the club and the game. And even if those veterans don?t play on next season, to have played a role in getting St George?s reserves back into Division One next season leaves a legacy for future seasons.
St George 1.6 3.7 4.7 7.8 (50)
Uni NSW-Eastern Suburbs 1.1 3.2 4.5 6.10 (46)
Goals : St George - J Shineberg 3, R Talbot, M Jones, V Stevens, J Ford. UNSW-ES - B Camilleri 2, C Stephens, R Pike, T Falvey, R Crocket.
Best : St George - J Shineberg, G Raper, V Stevens, D Lim, B Carroll, J Stek. UNSW-ES - G Pallett, D Sprange, T Falvey, R Pike, B Humphry, M MacDonald.
In the Division Three Grand Final, UTS came in as underdogs against Blacktown; but getting an early jump proved to be pivotal in the final result.
The Bats were kicking with the wind in the first quarter, taking advantage with four unanswered goals, and would retain the lead throughout the day. The Magic worked harder in the second quarter, making some impact on the deficit; but the Bats were able to score two goals into the wind and remain ten points ahead at the long break.
The third quarter saw UTS pull ahead, taking the game out of Blacktown?s reach. Six goals to one for the quarter opened up a 41-point lead at the last change. With the game safely won, the Bats were happy to count down to the premiership celebrations during the last quarter, in which three goals apiece were scored.
The final margin was 41 points. Simon Horan was awarded the best-on-ground honours, while Michael Izhik and Nicholas Barrett were also prominent. For Blacktown, Dean Connors, Henry Button and Brad Whale were among their best.
For the Bats, the premiership gives the club some silverware to commemorate a remarkable season. Four of UTS?s teams have finished in the top three this season, a tribute to the remarkable depth at the club.
It was a disappointing end to the season for Blacktown, who had dominated the division for most of the year; but to have finished minor premiers and Grand Finallists in the club?s first year of existence is a remarkable achievement.
University of Technology 4.1 6.1 12.3 15.4 (94)
Blacktown 0.0 4.3 5.4 8.5 (53)
Goals : UTS - N Barrett 4, E Williams 3, S Horan 2, N Allardice, A Loxton, B Hay 1, P Bredin, C McKenna, D Flanagan. Blacktown - A Polkinghorne 3, D Clifford 2, H Button, R Theel, J Talbot.
Best : UTS - M Izhik, S Horan, N Barrett, W Woodman, R O'Grady, D Murrell. Blacktown - D Connors, H Button, B Whale, A Polkinghorne, L Corr, L Penrith.
The Division Four Grand Final saw Gosford Wildcats, in their first season in Sydney after crossing over from the Black Diamond AFL, taking on Penrith. The Wildcats had been first to qualify for the Grand Final, but it was the Rams who had the better of proceedings on the day, running out winners by 16 points.
Penrith got off to a flying start, with three goals on the board before the Wildcats scored; on their way to a 17-point lead at quarter time. The game then tightened in the second quarter, and only one goal was scored in the second term. With the Rams scoring that goal, they got out to a 27-point lead at half time.
But Gosford fought back in the third quarter. Five goals to two saw the Wildcats storm back into contention, the margin getting back to nine points at three-quarter time. Gosford had the momentum and were looking a good chance to run over the top in the last quarter, but the three-quarter time break gave the Rams a chance to steady and regroup. And Gosford could go no closer in the last quarter, held goal-less as the Rams repelled all Wildcat attacks to claim a well-earned premiership.
Mark Woodford was awarded the best on ground medal, while Mac McNamara and Mark Jackson also picked up plenty of the ball. For the Wildcats, Brad Deitz, Neil Walker and Peter McCarthy were among their best.
Penrith 5.6 6.11 8.13 9.16 (70)
Gosford 3.1 3.2 8.4 8.6 (54)
Goals : Penrith - M Jackson 2, T Corless 2, M Woodford 2, B Roberts 2, L Geeves. Gosford - S Manuelle 2, B Deitz 2, S Camm, S Burkinshaw, P McCarthy, James Kemp.
Best : Penrith - M Woodford, M McNamara, M Jackson, L Smith, B Roney, L Geeves. Gosford - B Deitz, N Walker, P McCarthy, S Manuelle, D Simonson, J Kemp.
The early arrivers saw a thriller, as Sydney Uni got up for a five-point win over UTS in the Division Five Grand Final.
It was a game of constantly switching momentum, the result in doubt till the end. The Students led by seven points at quarter time, but the Bats fought back to have the scores level at the long break. It had been a low-scoring first half, but there was nothing separating the two sides as they defending strongly, refusing to concede anything to their opponent.
The game opened up in the third term, with the teams scoring four goals apiece as the lead see-sawed. The Bats were two points ahead at the last change, but the lead changes continued during the last quarter. The game remained in the balance until the end, but it was the Students who were holding the last wrapper of the premiership parcel when the music stopped.
Gordon Willis was awarded the best on ground medal after a five-goal haul; while Michael Abbey and Jarrad Carraso made important contributions for the Students. For the Bats, Nicholas McInerney, Daniel Cutlack and Jonathan Bocking were among their best.
Sydney University 2.2 3.3 7.5 10.6 (66)
University of Technology 1.1 3.3 7.7 9.7 (61)
Goals : Sydney Uni ? G Willis 5, J Hunt, J Hollywood, C Reid, P Hunter, W Bannon. UTS ? R Armstrong 3, J Kruss 2, N McInerney 2, J Bocking, R Freeborn.
Best : Sydney Uni ? M Abbey, J Carraso, G Willis, N Tao, J Hollywood, J Hunt. UTS ? N McInerney, D Cutlack, J Bocking, R Armstrong, T Ottens, S Henderson.
GRAND FINAL DAY
Just one day remains on the calendar this year, the highlight of the football year. It?s the famous One Day in September, when the team that wins premiership glory is decided.
Next Saturday at Blacktown International Sportspark is set to be a sensational day of footy. Four games of football, six clubs in action.
The program for Grand Final day next Saturday is:
8:45am ? Under 18s Two ? Manly Warringah v Southern Power
11:00am ? Under 18s One ? Sydney Hills Eagles v Illawarra
1:15pm ? Division One ? Manly-Warringah v Southern Power
3:30pm ? Premier Division ? UNSW-ES v Balmain