UNSW/ES have defeated Balmain by 42 points to be crowned AFL Sydney Premier Division Premiers at Blacktown.
The game was a tight contest for the first three quarters but a commanding fourth quarter saw the Bulldogs run out 13.11 to 7.5 winners.
The first quarter was goal for goal affair with neither side unable to break away from the opposition. UNSW/ES took a 8 point lead into the first break. The second quarter was like the first with both teams sharing the lead. Ben Taggart kicked two goals in as many minutes to try to lift his side only to be matched by a pair of UNSW/ES goals. The Bulldogs took a 3 point margin into the main break.
The game was going in a similar pattern with each team sharing goals unable to get scoreboard pressure applied. a 4 point margin in favour of the Bulldogs is all that seperated the two sides at the final change. However, the fourth quarter was much different with UNSW/ES building scoreboard pressure through Leigh Lavery's two goals in a minute and the Bulldogs never looked back with a seven goals to one final quarter handing them the premiership.
Adam Gulden provided run and carry for the winners all day and was awarded the Rod Podbury medal for best on ground. He was well served by Phelan Medalist Dane Rampe and Hayden Nichols. For Balmain, Kristian Pearson kept Lavery quiet for three quarters and Jerome Farrell was strong off the half back flank.
It is the Bulldogs first Premier Division premiership since 2003 and also results in 9 different clubs winning premierships.
Last Modified on 02/04/2013 16:41
