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SYDNEY AFL GRAND FINAL 2012 
Article and Photos by Michael Shillito
A marathon season had finally reached its climax, as Saturday dawned bright and sunny for Grand Final Day at Blacktown International Sportspark.
The competing teams were Uni NSW-Eastern Suburbs and Balmain. UNSW-ES had made it to the Grand Final by finishing top of the ladder and then winning the Second Semi-Final. But it had been a tough road to football?s big day for the Dockers, coming up from fourth place through three sudden death finals.
The teams lined up for the national anthem before lining up. Balmain had won the toss, electing to kick to the railway end in the first quarter. The umpire held the yellow ball aloft, and the contest was under way.
The Dockers raced the ball out of the centre, and Gerard Wilkie found himself with a set shot from within range; but sprayed it out on the full. The Dockers were denied the dream opening, and it would be the other end where the opening goal would be scored, with Adam Gulden forcing a turnover before delivering the ball to Josh Parmenter, who played on to score.
The Dockers had a near-instant reply, with Aaron Cottrell leading out to mark just inside the 50 metre arc, going back to take a magnificent set shot that curled nicely in the breeze. But there were danger signs for the Dockers, as Chris Bolt twice conceded 50 metre penalties. And at the 11 minute mark, Ben Way from the 50 metre line took the unselfish option of going short to where Richard Troon was left unattended.
For much of the remainder of the quarter, the ball was stalemated in the centre of the ground; as both sides tackled hard and refused their opposition any easy possessions. A surprisingly short quarter ended with the Bulldogs leading by eight points.
Bulldog mentor Rhys McAllister had plenty to say to his charges at quarter time, keeping them in their huddle for the maximum possible time, long after the Docker players had already taken their positions for the second term. But it was the Dockers who controlled proceedings in the early stages of the second quarter.
Balmain key forward Ben Taggart had been influential in the Dockers qualifying to play in the Grand Final; and he would make his presence felt as the second term got under way. After the Dockers got the centre break, Taggart dribbled the ball through the goals. And just a minute later, he would play on to score his second; and the Dockers had the lead.
The Bulldogs were their own worst enemy in those early stages of the second term, and three times would spray shots at goal out on the full. But Adam Gulden finally sharked a boundary throw-in to restore the UNSW-ES lead.
At the 15 minute mark, Aaron Cottrell flew high for a spectacular mark in the pocket and went back to kick his second; and the Dockers were back in front. They had the potential to add to that lead, but Troy Luff had a mark not paid 30 metres from home.
The Bulldogs were also having scoring challenges; as a push-out behind play saw a Max Collett goal disallowed, and then a long bomb by Alex Henderson just being touched on the line. But Stephen Benjamin had better luck during time-on, juggling a mark and going back to goal and giving the Bulldogs a three-point lead at half time.
The premiership quarter would be an arm-wrestle, two sides vying for supremacy and the momentum of the game would swing like a pendulum. Phelan Medallist Dane Rampe would take advantage of a free to go back and score for the Bulldogs; but the Dockers were getting more of the ball around the ground.
Docker co-coach Craig White was getting more into the game during the third term, and a short pass found Cottrell 15 metres from home. The Balmain number 26 kicked truly, goal number three. Two minutes later, Tom Mabon got the ball inside the 50. Bulldog ruckman Sam Tagliabue took the mark, but infringed on Brad Plug to take the ball. Plug took the free kick, and the Dockers had the lead.
The Dockers were high on spirit and determination, and the run of play was going their way. Taggart was unlucky not to get a free for holding the ball within scoring range after a brilliant tackle. Shelby Lee-Steere across the half-back line was repelling Bulldog attacks with regularity; then running 50 metres to the centre circle to spoil Tim Garrett, who was expecting an uncontested mark. At the other end, Leigh Lavery ran into an open goal but somehow missed.
But deep in time-on, the luck returned to the Bulldogs, with a lucky bounce seeing Ian Carroll gather the ball and find Tom Williamson running into goal; and the Bulldogs were back in front.
Just four points separated the teams at the last change, and a thrilling contest was anticipated. In the UNSW-ES huddle, Rhys McAllister delivered a rousing speech that produced a roar from the players and supporters standing around him. It had been a close and tightly-contested match for three quarters. But the last quarter would be different.
Balmain had fought hard through three sudden death finals, and had matched it with the Bulldogs for three quarters. But that had drained everything from the Dockers? tank; and when it came to the crunch, they had nothing more to give.
Leigh Lavery had been well held for three quarters, the competition?s leading goal-kicker struggling to exert any influence. But from the centre break to start the final quarter, Lavery marked at the edge of the square and kicked truly. Another mark just 15 metres from home a minute later delivered another.
Like Darren Jarman?s famous final term for Adelaide in 1997, Lavery was the man of the moment. Five goals for the quarter decisively swung the game UNSW-ES?s way. Day had turned into night, and hope had turned into elation for the Bulldogs. Tom Williamson added two goals, and along with Lavery?s bag of five, it was a procession of dominance for the Bulldogs. Seven unanswered goals, each greeted with a roar from the Bulldog contingent in the crowd as the players embraced in anticipation of the final siren and the party to come.
The Dockers completed a goal after the siren, but it was the Bulldogs who had won; the final margin being 42 points. Leigh Lavery had five goals, bringing up a total of 98 for the season. Adam Gulden was awarded the Rod Podbury Medal for best on ground, while Dame Rampe and Hayden Nichols also played great games for the Bulldogs. For the Dockers, Kristian Pearson, Jerome Farrell and Shelby Lee-Steere worked hard all day.
It?s a contrast of emotions after the siren sounds in a grand final. For the winners, there is jubilation, players embracing in joy. Everyone in the premiership club runs on the field to savour the moment ? players from other divisions, past players, family, volunteers, supporters. They?re all there, they?re part of it. There?s hugs all round as reward for all the effort that everyone at the club puts in.
Just metres away from the atmosphere of ecstacy is the atmosphere of agony. Players from the defeated side slumped the ground, the empty feeling of having given so much all season but being unable to complete the premiership. For Balmain, their second losing Grand Final in a row hurts.
It?s been a good season for Balmain, and they did some great footy in September to get from the Elimination Final into the Grand Final; and to be within a kick at three-quarter time. But although they went close, the ultimate prize eludes them again.
But for UNSW-ES, it was a premiership thoroughly deserved. A long pre-season campaign, and then losing just three games during the home and away season before hitting their peak at the right time of the season. Many of the team were there last year when they missed the finals; but with the addition of Rhys McAllister as a captain and coach, fine-tuning their game plan and doing just a few things differently, they?ve been able to take out the premiership.
Champagne corks were popped, the Bulldogs a premiership toast. And the lub will party hard this week, remembering how their quality football during the good times and perseverance through the tough times had delivered them Sydney footall?s greatest prize.
Uni NSW-Eastern Suburbs 2.4 4.6 6.9 13.11 (89)
Balmain 1.2 4.3 6.5 7.5 (47)
Goals : UNSW-ES ? L Lavery 5, T Williamson 3, D Rampe, S Benjamin, J Parmenter, A Gulden, R Troon. Balmain ? A Cottrell 3, B Taggart 2, T Mabon, B Plug.
Best : UNSW-ES ? A Gulden, D Rampe, H Nichols, R McAllister, S Tagliabue, T Williamson. Balmain ? K Pearson, J Farrell, S Lee-Steere, C White, K Ericsson, T Luff.
Manly-Warringah completed an undefeated season, claiming back-to-back premierships when they were 25 points too good for Southern Power in the Division One Grand Final.
The Wolves were controlling the game early, leading by 11 points at quarter time; but some inaccurate finishing would keep the Power in the contest. The Wolves were peppering the goals in the second quarter, but big game nerves were affecting them and some kickable shots sailed wide of the big sticks. At the other end, three late goals to the Power cut the margin to just three points at half time.
But the weight of possession eventually took its toll, and the Wolves re-established their momentum during the premiership quarter. Five goals to three for the quarter kept the scoreboard ticking over, while the Wolves kept the ball on their forward line to extend their lead to 19 points at the last change. Although the Power worked hard, they were outclassed by a Manly side that would probably be competitive against several Premier Division teams.
Connor Petterssen was awarded the best on ground medal; while David Kovacevic and Tyrone Armitage were also key performers for the Wolves. The Power were well served on the day by Jack Dickens, Cameron Roe and Graham Enright.
Manly-Warringah 2.5 3.10 8.15 11.15 (81)
Southern Power 1.0 4.1 7.2 9.2 (56)
Goals : Manly-Warringah ? T Armitage 3, D Kovacevic 2, R Hart 2, A Robertson, L Brain, D Pearson, T Thurgarland. Southern Power ? S Demir 2, A Craig, S Davies, A Fritsch, M Graham, T Smith, D Turner, G Enright.
Best : Manly-Warringah ? C Petterssen, D Kovacevic, T Armitage, A Robertson, R Hart, E Burke. Southern Power ? J Dickens, C Roe, G Enright, M Graham, D Turner, R Emmerick.
The Under 18s Division One Grand Final saw Sydney Hills Eagles up against Illawarra. The Eagles had been undefeated going into the Grand Final, but had to overcome a major scare before they could take out the premiership.
The Eagles were wasteful in front of goals early, and the Lions made them pay as they took the lead in the closing seconds of the first quarter. And the second quarter saw a major boilover being threatened as the Lions took control around the ground. Five goals to one for the quarter saw Illawarra confidence lifted sky-high as the Lions held a shock 27-point lead at half time.
But, as if the teams had swapped jumpers at half time, the third term was barely recognisable as being in the same game as the second. The Eagles came out firing during the premiership quarter; and on the back of a run of five goals to one, they would hit the front in the last minute of the quarter.
Although there was only a point in it at three-quarter time, the momentum of the game had swung the Eagles? way; and there would be no way back for the Lions. It had been a stunning performance that got them out to the lead in the second quarter; but it would be the Eagles that had the stamina to last the distance. The kicking radar that had deserted the Eagles in the first half became an asset to them, as the Eagles kicked six straight goals in the final quarter, while holding the Lions to two goals.
The final margin was 22 points. Yoshi Harris won the best on ground medal, while Adam Fender and Nick Crowe were also among the Eagles? best. For the Lions, Harrison Green, Harry Dobson and Kuiam Anu were prominent performers. After losses in the Under 18s Grand Final in 2008, 2010 and 2011; finally the monkey is off the junior Eagles? back.
Sydney Hills Eagles 2.4 3.9 8.14 14.14 (98)
Illawarra 3.3 8.6 9.7 11.10 (76)
Goals : Sydney Hills ? A Fender 2, M Stevens 2, J Famularo 2, N Crowe, J Rylance, H Bond, Y Harris, J Regan, T Graham, D Wright, S Neill. Illawarra ? J Lavender 2, B Yates 2, B Forst 2, E Roberts 2, J Sutherland, J Roebuck, T Walsh.
Best : Sydney Hills ? Y Harris, A Fender, N Crowe, T Gavuri, C Arndt, S Neill. Illawarra ? H Green, H Dobson, K Anu, S Potter, C Kolster, J Sutherland.
The early arrivers to Blacktown caught the Under 18s Division Two Grand Final. Manly-Warringah and Southern Power, the same clubs as would contest the Division One Grand Final in the afternoon, were in action. But the junior Grand Final went the way of the Shire club, taking the premiership by 43 points.
A scrappy opening quarter saw neither side able to manage a goal. The Power had created chances but were unable to capitalise on any of them. And early in the second term the Wolves caused some anxious moments in the Power camp with a quick double to go to a seven point lead. But the Power fought back with three goals of their own to lead by 12 points at the long break.
The game tightened up and went into a stalemate situation in the third term, with neither side looking a chance for a goal; and rarely did either side look a chance to get anywhere near a scoring position. Two points to one for the quarter, the Power leading by 13 points at the last change.
But the final quarter bore little resemblance to the third, as the Power finally broke free from the Wolves? attentions. Six goals in the last quarter turned a game that looked set to go down to the wire into a comfortable win.
Tim Cashman was best on ground, his four goals in a low-scoring contest worth their weight in gold. Around the ground, Liam Pollard and Matthew Walsh also made valuable contributions. For the Wolves, James Behagg, Matthew Bell and Henry Tier were among their best.
Southern Power 0.5 3.7 3.9 9.11 (65)
Manly-Warringah 0.0 2.1 2.2 3.4 (22)
Goals : Southern Power ? T Cashman 4, T Hooker, L Hamling, P Bird, H McLean, M Young. Manly-Warringah ? Matthew Bell 3.
Best : Southern Power ? T Cashman, L Pollard, M Walsh, L Hamling, N Park, D Walters. Manly-Warringah ? J Behagg, Matthew Bell, H Tier, J Parker, M Allen, C Johnston.
POSTSCRIPT (Otherwise known as RWO?s Sydney Footy Writer?s Annual Venting of the Spleen):
The 2012 season is over. It?s been a season with plenty of highlights, some controversial moments and many interesting times. And plenty of challenges as well.
The divisional system has its positives and negatives; but one area that can?t be disputed is that the premiership glory is spread around. For the second year in a row, a different club won each of the premierships on offer. Congratulations to UNSW-ES (Premier Division), Manly (Div 1), St George (Div 2), UTS (Div 3), Penrith (Div 4), Sydney Uni (Div 5), Sydney Hills (Under 18s One), Southern Power (Under 18s Two) and Balmain (Women).
Most clubs in the Sydney AFL system had at least one of their teams in the finals.
There are certainly challenges for clubs with the divisional system, especially on weeks when clubs are split over multiple venues. But there are positives as well; with teams more likely to play against an opponent of similar ability than was previously the case.
The cream rose to the top in the finals, with little separating the final five this year in Premier Division. It?s an interesting thought that had one result gone the other way in the second last home and away round of the season, we would have had a four-way tie for top spot with one round to go. But the gap between the top six and the rest was a concern; and the number of one-sided games during the home and away season is something that no doubt is being noticed. Whether eleven teams in Premier Division is too many, or whether it?s time to look at promotion and relegation, is something that will no doubt be a talking point in analysis of this season.
The footy landscape in Sydney changed drastically this year. The coming of the Giants, along with the strongly-performing Swans, sees an AFL game in Sydney nearly every week. It?s good news for our game to see the interest in the game at the elite level so strong. But the challenge is to turn those who see the elite games and would fancy having a kick or becoming actively involved to become a part of one of our league?s clubs.
A serious disincentive to this, and one which on various weeks has impacted severely on the availability of volunteers at clubs, is the trend of scheduling Swans and Giants home games on Saturday afternoons. The AFL would do a great service to the grass-roots of football up here by not scheduling any further games on Saturdays before 6pm.
But it?s certainly not all doom and gloom. Far from it. With two AFL clubs, their reserves and two other Sydney clubs in the NEAFL, 60 senior teams, 19 under 18s teams and eleven womens teams; more people are playing footy in Sydney than ever before. And we have a structure that enables new teams to come in when a club?s numbers justify it.
Thanks to all the players and clubs for making our game happen. Thanks also to the AFL NSW-ACT for running our competition; and particularly to outgoing Operations Manager Garry Burkinshaw. Thanks to everyone who reads this column and participates in the forum. And thanks to the wonderful game of Australian Football ? where would our lives be without it?
Enjoy your off-season everyone. We?ll look forward to RedAndWhiteOnline continuing our reporting of Sydney AFL in 2013.
Article and Photos by Michael Shillito
A marathon season had finally reached its climax, as Saturday dawned bright and sunny for Grand Final Day at Blacktown International Sportspark.
The competing teams were Uni NSW-Eastern Suburbs and Balmain. UNSW-ES had made it to the Grand Final by finishing top of the ladder and then winning the Second Semi-Final. But it had been a tough road to football?s big day for the Dockers, coming up from fourth place through three sudden death finals.
The teams lined up for the national anthem before lining up. Balmain had won the toss, electing to kick to the railway end in the first quarter. The umpire held the yellow ball aloft, and the contest was under way.
The Dockers raced the ball out of the centre, and Gerard Wilkie found himself with a set shot from within range; but sprayed it out on the full. The Dockers were denied the dream opening, and it would be the other end where the opening goal would be scored, with Adam Gulden forcing a turnover before delivering the ball to Josh Parmenter, who played on to score.
The Dockers had a near-instant reply, with Aaron Cottrell leading out to mark just inside the 50 metre arc, going back to take a magnificent set shot that curled nicely in the breeze. But there were danger signs for the Dockers, as Chris Bolt twice conceded 50 metre penalties. And at the 11 minute mark, Ben Way from the 50 metre line took the unselfish option of going short to where Richard Troon was left unattended.
For much of the remainder of the quarter, the ball was stalemated in the centre of the ground; as both sides tackled hard and refused their opposition any easy possessions. A surprisingly short quarter ended with the Bulldogs leading by eight points.
Bulldog mentor Rhys McAllister had plenty to say to his charges at quarter time, keeping them in their huddle for the maximum possible time, long after the Docker players had already taken their positions for the second term. But it was the Dockers who controlled proceedings in the early stages of the second quarter.
Balmain key forward Ben Taggart had been influential in the Dockers qualifying to play in the Grand Final; and he would make his presence felt as the second term got under way. After the Dockers got the centre break, Taggart dribbled the ball through the goals. And just a minute later, he would play on to score his second; and the Dockers had the lead.
The Bulldogs were their own worst enemy in those early stages of the second term, and three times would spray shots at goal out on the full. But Adam Gulden finally sharked a boundary throw-in to restore the UNSW-ES lead.
At the 15 minute mark, Aaron Cottrell flew high for a spectacular mark in the pocket and went back to kick his second; and the Dockers were back in front. They had the potential to add to that lead, but Troy Luff had a mark not paid 30 metres from home.
The Bulldogs were also having scoring challenges; as a push-out behind play saw a Max Collett goal disallowed, and then a long bomb by Alex Henderson just being touched on the line. But Stephen Benjamin had better luck during time-on, juggling a mark and going back to goal and giving the Bulldogs a three-point lead at half time.
The premiership quarter would be an arm-wrestle, two sides vying for supremacy and the momentum of the game would swing like a pendulum. Phelan Medallist Dane Rampe would take advantage of a free to go back and score for the Bulldogs; but the Dockers were getting more of the ball around the ground.
Docker co-coach Craig White was getting more into the game during the third term, and a short pass found Cottrell 15 metres from home. The Balmain number 26 kicked truly, goal number three. Two minutes later, Tom Mabon got the ball inside the 50. Bulldog ruckman Sam Tagliabue took the mark, but infringed on Brad Plug to take the ball. Plug took the free kick, and the Dockers had the lead.
The Dockers were high on spirit and determination, and the run of play was going their way. Taggart was unlucky not to get a free for holding the ball within scoring range after a brilliant tackle. Shelby Lee-Steere across the half-back line was repelling Bulldog attacks with regularity; then running 50 metres to the centre circle to spoil Tim Garrett, who was expecting an uncontested mark. At the other end, Leigh Lavery ran into an open goal but somehow missed.
But deep in time-on, the luck returned to the Bulldogs, with a lucky bounce seeing Ian Carroll gather the ball and find Tom Williamson running into goal; and the Bulldogs were back in front.
Just four points separated the teams at the last change, and a thrilling contest was anticipated. In the UNSW-ES huddle, Rhys McAllister delivered a rousing speech that produced a roar from the players and supporters standing around him. It had been a close and tightly-contested match for three quarters. But the last quarter would be different.
Balmain had fought hard through three sudden death finals, and had matched it with the Bulldogs for three quarters. But that had drained everything from the Dockers? tank; and when it came to the crunch, they had nothing more to give.
Leigh Lavery had been well held for three quarters, the competition?s leading goal-kicker struggling to exert any influence. But from the centre break to start the final quarter, Lavery marked at the edge of the square and kicked truly. Another mark just 15 metres from home a minute later delivered another.
Like Darren Jarman?s famous final term for Adelaide in 1997, Lavery was the man of the moment. Five goals for the quarter decisively swung the game UNSW-ES?s way. Day had turned into night, and hope had turned into elation for the Bulldogs. Tom Williamson added two goals, and along with Lavery?s bag of five, it was a procession of dominance for the Bulldogs. Seven unanswered goals, each greeted with a roar from the Bulldog contingent in the crowd as the players embraced in anticipation of the final siren and the party to come.
The Dockers completed a goal after the siren, but it was the Bulldogs who had won; the final margin being 42 points. Leigh Lavery had five goals, bringing up a total of 98 for the season. Adam Gulden was awarded the Rod Podbury Medal for best on ground, while Dame Rampe and Hayden Nichols also played great games for the Bulldogs. For the Dockers, Kristian Pearson, Jerome Farrell and Shelby Lee-Steere worked hard all day.
It?s a contrast of emotions after the siren sounds in a grand final. For the winners, there is jubilation, players embracing in joy. Everyone in the premiership club runs on the field to savour the moment ? players from other divisions, past players, family, volunteers, supporters. They?re all there, they?re part of it. There?s hugs all round as reward for all the effort that everyone at the club puts in.
Just metres away from the atmosphere of ecstacy is the atmosphere of agony. Players from the defeated side slumped the ground, the empty feeling of having given so much all season but being unable to complete the premiership. For Balmain, their second losing Grand Final in a row hurts.
It?s been a good season for Balmain, and they did some great footy in September to get from the Elimination Final into the Grand Final; and to be within a kick at three-quarter time. But although they went close, the ultimate prize eludes them again.
But for UNSW-ES, it was a premiership thoroughly deserved. A long pre-season campaign, and then losing just three games during the home and away season before hitting their peak at the right time of the season. Many of the team were there last year when they missed the finals; but with the addition of Rhys McAllister as a captain and coach, fine-tuning their game plan and doing just a few things differently, they?ve been able to take out the premiership.
Champagne corks were popped, the Bulldogs a premiership toast. And the lub will party hard this week, remembering how their quality football during the good times and perseverance through the tough times had delivered them Sydney footall?s greatest prize.
Uni NSW-Eastern Suburbs 2.4 4.6 6.9 13.11 (89)
Balmain 1.2 4.3 6.5 7.5 (47)
Goals : UNSW-ES ? L Lavery 5, T Williamson 3, D Rampe, S Benjamin, J Parmenter, A Gulden, R Troon. Balmain ? A Cottrell 3, B Taggart 2, T Mabon, B Plug.
Best : UNSW-ES ? A Gulden, D Rampe, H Nichols, R McAllister, S Tagliabue, T Williamson. Balmain ? K Pearson, J Farrell, S Lee-Steere, C White, K Ericsson, T Luff.
Manly-Warringah completed an undefeated season, claiming back-to-back premierships when they were 25 points too good for Southern Power in the Division One Grand Final.
The Wolves were controlling the game early, leading by 11 points at quarter time; but some inaccurate finishing would keep the Power in the contest. The Wolves were peppering the goals in the second quarter, but big game nerves were affecting them and some kickable shots sailed wide of the big sticks. At the other end, three late goals to the Power cut the margin to just three points at half time.
But the weight of possession eventually took its toll, and the Wolves re-established their momentum during the premiership quarter. Five goals to three for the quarter kept the scoreboard ticking over, while the Wolves kept the ball on their forward line to extend their lead to 19 points at the last change. Although the Power worked hard, they were outclassed by a Manly side that would probably be competitive against several Premier Division teams.
Connor Petterssen was awarded the best on ground medal; while David Kovacevic and Tyrone Armitage were also key performers for the Wolves. The Power were well served on the day by Jack Dickens, Cameron Roe and Graham Enright.
Manly-Warringah 2.5 3.10 8.15 11.15 (81)
Southern Power 1.0 4.1 7.2 9.2 (56)
Goals : Manly-Warringah ? T Armitage 3, D Kovacevic 2, R Hart 2, A Robertson, L Brain, D Pearson, T Thurgarland. Southern Power ? S Demir 2, A Craig, S Davies, A Fritsch, M Graham, T Smith, D Turner, G Enright.
Best : Manly-Warringah ? C Petterssen, D Kovacevic, T Armitage, A Robertson, R Hart, E Burke. Southern Power ? J Dickens, C Roe, G Enright, M Graham, D Turner, R Emmerick.
The Under 18s Division One Grand Final saw Sydney Hills Eagles up against Illawarra. The Eagles had been undefeated going into the Grand Final, but had to overcome a major scare before they could take out the premiership.
The Eagles were wasteful in front of goals early, and the Lions made them pay as they took the lead in the closing seconds of the first quarter. And the second quarter saw a major boilover being threatened as the Lions took control around the ground. Five goals to one for the quarter saw Illawarra confidence lifted sky-high as the Lions held a shock 27-point lead at half time.
But, as if the teams had swapped jumpers at half time, the third term was barely recognisable as being in the same game as the second. The Eagles came out firing during the premiership quarter; and on the back of a run of five goals to one, they would hit the front in the last minute of the quarter.
Although there was only a point in it at three-quarter time, the momentum of the game had swung the Eagles? way; and there would be no way back for the Lions. It had been a stunning performance that got them out to the lead in the second quarter; but it would be the Eagles that had the stamina to last the distance. The kicking radar that had deserted the Eagles in the first half became an asset to them, as the Eagles kicked six straight goals in the final quarter, while holding the Lions to two goals.
The final margin was 22 points. Yoshi Harris won the best on ground medal, while Adam Fender and Nick Crowe were also among the Eagles? best. For the Lions, Harrison Green, Harry Dobson and Kuiam Anu were prominent performers. After losses in the Under 18s Grand Final in 2008, 2010 and 2011; finally the monkey is off the junior Eagles? back.
Sydney Hills Eagles 2.4 3.9 8.14 14.14 (98)
Illawarra 3.3 8.6 9.7 11.10 (76)
Goals : Sydney Hills ? A Fender 2, M Stevens 2, J Famularo 2, N Crowe, J Rylance, H Bond, Y Harris, J Regan, T Graham, D Wright, S Neill. Illawarra ? J Lavender 2, B Yates 2, B Forst 2, E Roberts 2, J Sutherland, J Roebuck, T Walsh.
Best : Sydney Hills ? Y Harris, A Fender, N Crowe, T Gavuri, C Arndt, S Neill. Illawarra ? H Green, H Dobson, K Anu, S Potter, C Kolster, J Sutherland.
The early arrivers to Blacktown caught the Under 18s Division Two Grand Final. Manly-Warringah and Southern Power, the same clubs as would contest the Division One Grand Final in the afternoon, were in action. But the junior Grand Final went the way of the Shire club, taking the premiership by 43 points.
A scrappy opening quarter saw neither side able to manage a goal. The Power had created chances but were unable to capitalise on any of them. And early in the second term the Wolves caused some anxious moments in the Power camp with a quick double to go to a seven point lead. But the Power fought back with three goals of their own to lead by 12 points at the long break.
The game tightened up and went into a stalemate situation in the third term, with neither side looking a chance for a goal; and rarely did either side look a chance to get anywhere near a scoring position. Two points to one for the quarter, the Power leading by 13 points at the last change.
But the final quarter bore little resemblance to the third, as the Power finally broke free from the Wolves? attentions. Six goals in the last quarter turned a game that looked set to go down to the wire into a comfortable win.
Tim Cashman was best on ground, his four goals in a low-scoring contest worth their weight in gold. Around the ground, Liam Pollard and Matthew Walsh also made valuable contributions. For the Wolves, James Behagg, Matthew Bell and Henry Tier were among their best.
Southern Power 0.5 3.7 3.9 9.11 (65)
Manly-Warringah 0.0 2.1 2.2 3.4 (22)
Goals : Southern Power ? T Cashman 4, T Hooker, L Hamling, P Bird, H McLean, M Young. Manly-Warringah ? Matthew Bell 3.
Best : Southern Power ? T Cashman, L Pollard, M Walsh, L Hamling, N Park, D Walters. Manly-Warringah ? J Behagg, Matthew Bell, H Tier, J Parker, M Allen, C Johnston.
POSTSCRIPT (Otherwise known as RWO?s Sydney Footy Writer?s Annual Venting of the Spleen):
The 2012 season is over. It?s been a season with plenty of highlights, some controversial moments and many interesting times. And plenty of challenges as well.
The divisional system has its positives and negatives; but one area that can?t be disputed is that the premiership glory is spread around. For the second year in a row, a different club won each of the premierships on offer. Congratulations to UNSW-ES (Premier Division), Manly (Div 1), St George (Div 2), UTS (Div 3), Penrith (Div 4), Sydney Uni (Div 5), Sydney Hills (Under 18s One), Southern Power (Under 18s Two) and Balmain (Women).
Most clubs in the Sydney AFL system had at least one of their teams in the finals.
There are certainly challenges for clubs with the divisional system, especially on weeks when clubs are split over multiple venues. But there are positives as well; with teams more likely to play against an opponent of similar ability than was previously the case.
The cream rose to the top in the finals, with little separating the final five this year in Premier Division. It?s an interesting thought that had one result gone the other way in the second last home and away round of the season, we would have had a four-way tie for top spot with one round to go. But the gap between the top six and the rest was a concern; and the number of one-sided games during the home and away season is something that no doubt is being noticed. Whether eleven teams in Premier Division is too many, or whether it?s time to look at promotion and relegation, is something that will no doubt be a talking point in analysis of this season.
The footy landscape in Sydney changed drastically this year. The coming of the Giants, along with the strongly-performing Swans, sees an AFL game in Sydney nearly every week. It?s good news for our game to see the interest in the game at the elite level so strong. But the challenge is to turn those who see the elite games and would fancy having a kick or becoming actively involved to become a part of one of our league?s clubs.
A serious disincentive to this, and one which on various weeks has impacted severely on the availability of volunteers at clubs, is the trend of scheduling Swans and Giants home games on Saturday afternoons. The AFL would do a great service to the grass-roots of football up here by not scheduling any further games on Saturdays before 6pm.
But it?s certainly not all doom and gloom. Far from it. With two AFL clubs, their reserves and two other Sydney clubs in the NEAFL, 60 senior teams, 19 under 18s teams and eleven womens teams; more people are playing footy in Sydney than ever before. And we have a structure that enables new teams to come in when a club?s numbers justify it.
Thanks to all the players and clubs for making our game happen. Thanks also to the AFL NSW-ACT for running our competition; and particularly to outgoing Operations Manager Garry Burkinshaw. Thanks to everyone who reads this column and participates in the forum. And thanks to the wonderful game of Australian Football ? where would our lives be without it?
Enjoy your off-season everyone. We?ll look forward to RedAndWhiteOnline continuing our reporting of Sydney AFL in 2013.