SYDNEY AFL FINALS WEEK 1 2012
Article and Photos by Michael Shillito
After what had been a marathon home and away season, we’ve made it to September and into the finals.
In Premier Division, minor premiers UNSW-ES enjoyed a week off; while two games were played. Both matches saw teams matched against each other who had also played in the final home and away round. One game would be a repeat of last week’s result; while the other would see the tables turned. But in both games, early appearances were misleading; as the team that would go on to win would concede the first three goals.
The finals series started under skies sometimes fine, sometimes overcast; but cool and with an inconsistent blustery breeze. North Shore were denied the minor premiership when the Bombers went down to Pennant Hills in the final round; but the qualifying final gave the Bombers a chance for instant revenge. And in the opening stages of the match, that looked likely.
The game was barely seconds old when Pat Brackin soccered a loose ball through to open the scoring. He was soon joined on the goal-scorers’ list by Jack Davis and Tim Schmidt; and the Bombers were looking in control.
Slowly but surely, the Demons began to work their way back into the contest. There were wasted chances; a shot by Ted Widmer being touched on the line, and a missed shot by Josh Barty from barely 20 metres. Late goals by Mitch Crawford and Dan Witt got the margin back to within a kick at quarter time.
As the second quarter progressed, the dark clouds began to roll in and the threat of rain was in the air. The colours of the rainbow lit up in the eastern sky, and at the end was a pot of Pennant Hills gold. Brandon Jack, a youngster on the way up, gave the Demons the lead early in the second term; kicking the first of five Demon goals for the quarter. Matt Carey let fly with a long torp from well outside the 50 metre line; while midfielder Kieran Wright was accumulating possessions at will.
A run of five goals to one to the Demons saw a 22-point margin at the long break. And the Demon charge continued as the third quarter got under way. The two B Jacks, Brant and Brandon, no relation to each other, contributed more goals to the Demon cause; with red and blue optimism growing around the ground as the lead approached six goals.
The Bombers needed a spark, and it came through a strong mark and goal to Richie Lynch. And suddenly, the Bombers sprung to life. Bomber players who had barely got a touch since midway through the first quarter began to get a sniff of the ball, the run and drive that had deserted them suddenly returned. A long bomb by Adrian Harry, then just moments later a 50 metre penalty put Sam Carruthers within range. And when Doug Hadden was taken high 25 metres from goal, the Bombers had the margin back to 17 points as the three-quarter time siren sounded.
But if the run of play had changed, the break gave the Demons a chance to regroup. After the teams traded goals in the first two minutes of the final quarter, the Bombers searched desperately but in vain for the goal that would get them back within range. At the other end, Matt Carey stood tall, stood strong and stood courageously to mark in the forward pocket. A set shot was kicked truly, the game was out of North Shore’s reach. For the second week in a row, and for the third time this season, the Demons had defeated the Bombers.
Kieran Wright, Damian Dell’Aquila and Nick Campbell were among the Demons’ best in an important result for the club. Pennant Hills will be in action next Saturday, taking on UNSW-ES for a spot in the Grand Final. For North Sore, Doug Hadden, Sam Carruthers and Nick Todd played solid games; but the loss means the Bombers will now be in sudden death for as long as they remain alive in the finals series.
North Shore’s opponent in the semi final round will be Balmain, after the Dockers recorded a 14-point win over St George in Sunday’s elimination final at Blacktown International Sportspark.
The last round of the regular season had seen St George defeat Balmain easily, bringing their winning streak to five games. And in the early exchanges, the Dragons showed the confidence of their winning run and looked set for a strong game.
The Dragons had the ball forward early, and although Lewis Broome was unable to hold the mark, a solid second effort saw him re-gather the ball and score. Blake Guthrie dribbled a ball through, and then Jason Saddington recovered quickly from an unsuccessful marking contest to drill the ball for another St George goal. 19 points ahead, with the game less than ten minutes old.
But a defensive turnover resulted in a pin-point delivery to Ben Taggart, and the pendulum of play instantly swung Balmain’s way. Gerard Wilkie showed far too much pace on the grandstand wing as he shook off the attentions of his Dragon pursuers before finding Taggart, who quickly passed to Craig White. And when, deep in time-on, Aaron Cottrell pounced on a loose ball to score, scores were level.
Balmain led by a point at quarter time, and were kicking to the Eastern Road end in the second term. After being held by Declan Donohue when not in possession, Taggart received a free; then picked up the ball and advantage was paid as the big Docker strolled into the square and scored. Nick Ryan kept the Dragons in the contest with a long bomb from the 50 metre line, but it would be a brief respite.
The Dockers took a stranglehold on the game late in the second term, scoring the last four goals of the quarter. Taggart had three goals on the board at the break, and a hand in some others. There were plenty of loose runners, the Docker midfield shaking off any tagging attempts by the Dragons. On the forward line, Aaron Cottrell twice found himself with no opponents anywhere near him to land two more goals; as the Dockers went 27 points clear at half time.
Football legends tell of miracle comeback wins in finals, but such results are legendary because they are rare. Normally, the stresses of playing catch-up football, of needing to roll the dice and throw caution to the wind, can see comeback attempts quickly snuffed out. And so it would be again.
The Dragons threw out a brief challenge at the start of the third term, set shots to Jason Saddington and Jordan West getting the Dragons back to 15 points. Then came the turnover, the ball spilling to Balmain speedster Chris Bolt. His name may not be Usain, he may not quite be as quick as 9.63 over 100 metres; but he was too quick for his Dragon opponents as he streaked up the wing and slammed an electrifying goal through on the run.
Cottrell and Taggart then each kicked their fourth, and the St George challenge was snuffed out. After a bright and sunny day, the shadows were lengthening; the sun setting on St George’s season. The Dockers won the quarter, leading by 32 points at the last change.
St George briefly rallied in the last quarter with the first two goals, but again the Dockers had the answers to kill any comeback hopes. Balmain had the game won; and even with the Dragons scoring the last three goals to salvage some respectability to the final margin, it wasn’t enough to keep their season alive.
Ben Taggart and Aaron Cottrell finished with five goals apiece; while around the ground, Gerard Wilkie, Kristian Pearson and the evergreen Troy Luff were prominent performers for Balmain. For St George, Jason Saddington kicked four, while David Ryan, Lloyd Perris and Alex Wynn played solid games.
Balmain live to fight another day, taking on North Shore next week. For St George, it had been a successful season; making the finals for the first time since 2008. But their successful year finished here. Four teams remain.
