The big day has arrived for the AFL Sydney Lower Divisions with four Grand Finals to be played at Blacktown International Sports Park on Saturday.
Grand Finals- Blacktown International Sports Park
DIVISION TWO- 3.30pm
UNSW/ES Bulldogs vs St George Dragons
All roads point towards a tight encounter when UNSW/ES and St George meet to decide the Division Two premiership. Both sides have made marked steps in the Division Two competition through the course of this season; all the more impressive considering they are not the first grade sides for either outfit.
UNSW/ES graduated to Division Two after claiming the premiership and only losing one game all season in Division Three last season. They have been tested during the finals series, winning both their matches only by an average of fourteen points.
In the Qualifying Semi Final, the Bulldogs defeated minor premiers Sydney University by two goals. They trailed by a goal at three-quarter time only to come home with a wet sail and impressively keeping their opponents scoreless in the process. George Pallett came third in the Sanders Medal polling for Division Two Best & Fairest but has had a relatively quiet finals series to date. If he can break loose along with the likes of Ben Camilleri and Brad Humphry, then the Bulldogs are well on the way to premiership success.
St George will pose a stern test if their finals form is anything to go by. They have won their three sudden death finals matches by an average of 38 points. Their Preliminary Final win over Sydney University was top notch. They pulled out one of their best final quarters (three goals to none) to duly celebrate club stalwart Gavin Raper’s 200th senior match.
They have a good mix of youth and experience with Daniel Annor and Daniel Lim the Dragons best two players this finals campaign. Jonathon Shineberg is a linch pin up forward and could kick a winning score if not kept in check.
Previous Encounters
Round 13- St George 11.13.79 def. UNSW/ES 3.5.23
Round 5- UNSW/ES 10.12.72 def. St George 8.10.58
DIVISION THREE- 1.15pm
Blacktown vs UTS
These two sides have quite a rivalry developing if their three encounters this year are anything to go by. Those three matches have been decided by single figure margins- something which points to a nailbiter this weekend.
Their last encounter was the Second Semi Final where Blacktown overturned an eight-point three-quarter time deficit with a more accurate display in front of goal proving the big difference. There are some class names amongst the Blacktown Magic, a number of whom were prominent at Macquarie University in previous years. One of those, Andrew Polkinghorne finished runner-up in the Division Three Best and Fairest and has been active around the ground and in front of goals with 19 goals in his thirteen games leading into this match. Henry Button and the elusive Luke Penrith are another two that will need to be tightly controlled by UTS.
UTS are a talented unit themselves having finished as minor premiers on percentage. They spread the load effectively and will be buoyed by their 40-point Preliminary Final win over Saints afc. Daniel Flanagan is arguably their best player and will need support from the likes of Luke Gaffney and Michael Izhik if they are to prevail. John Colbert is an experienced defender and will be hellbent on claiming another premiership with the Bats.
Previous Encounters
Second Semi Final- Blacktown 8.7.55 def. UTS 6.11.47
Round 10- Blacktown 10.4.64 def. UTS 7.15.57
Round 3- UTS 4.7.31 def. Blacktown 3.4.22
DIVISION FOUR- 11.00am
Gosford vs Penrith
The Division Four Grand Final will be a battle between the best attack (Gosford) and the best defence (Penrith) in the competition.
Gosford, in their first year in the AFL Sydney competition, finished as minor premiers and came through the semi-final against UTS by 11 points. The Tigers play with strong spirit and have good ball users spread around the ground. Brad Deitz will be fresh from claiming the Armstrong Medal as Division Four Best & Fairest. Scott Burkinshaw and Liam Ghalayini also polled well and add impetus to the Tigers’ attacking thrusts.
In that match against UTS, they trailed at every change and only got home on the back of a five goal to one final term. They will need a more consistent showing against Penrith who have form on their side.
Their Preliminary Final win against UTS was somewhat of a surprise given the 41-point final margin. Saying this, a five goal second term set up the win for Penrith.
The Rams have been well served by Max McNamara this season, while Tayt Corless is one who has the ability to go forward and kick goals.
After claiming the Division Two premiership last season, Penrith will be looking to add more silverware to their trophy cabinet.
Previous Encounters
Round 13- Penrith 10.12.72 def. Gosford 6.5.41
Round 4- Gosford 15.10.100 def. Penrith 12.10.82
DIVISION FIVE- 8.45am
Sydney University vs UTS
The ledger stands at one-all between these two teams heading into the deciding Grand Final clash at Blacktown.
UTS have done well to progress to the Grand Final after finishing fourth in the regular season. They have won three sudden death finals matches by an average margin of 39 points.
They were challenged throughout by Camden in the Preliminary Final but held on for a tense 16-point victory. The Bats will look to Ben Nilsen who has been their best player this season. Support should come from the likes of Daniel Cutlack and John McCormack.
Sydney University finished as minor premiers with three losses to their name and easily disposed of Camden by 42 points to qualify for the Grand Final.
Christopher Reid and Gordon Willis kicked nine of the team’s twelve goals in that win and will be the key targets again this weekend.
Look out for Thomas Radford and Patrick Hunter who polled best in an even spread of votegetters for the Apted Medal at Monday night’s Phelan Medal night.
Previous Encounters
Round 12- Sydney University 12.15.87 def. UTS 5.11.41
Round 7- UTS 9.12.66 def. Sydney University 9.7.61
Last Modified on 11/09/2012 15:03
