The AFL Sydney Development team today went agonsingly close to causing a huge boil over when they pushed the very strong Riverina team all the way to fall just 5 point short.
Prior to the match the Riverina side were unbackable favourites based on their strong side as well as the sides previous encounter two years ago - not to mention the home ground advantage. After falling behind in the opening quarter it appeared the Sydney side would be facing the predicted tough day in the office as they trailed by 11 points at the break.
The second term however saw the Sydney side lift as they out-enthused their more experienced opponents. Sydney clawed their way back into the game kicking the first 5 goals of the quarter to take the lead, one they would hold until the final few minutes of the match. A 22 point lead at the main break and the Sydney side could smell an upset however injuries in the quarter would see the team play with just two on the bench for the second half.
Presumably a spray during the long break saw the Riverina boys came out with more intent in the third quarter as they wittled the deficit away. Once again goals in time-on for Riverina proved to be important however at the final break Sydney still were unexpectedly leading by a margin of 3 points.
A see-sawing final term firstly saw the Sydney side kick back-to-back goals to open up a 15 point lead before Riverina replied. A Sydney goal at the thirteen minute mark by Tim Cummins saw the lead out to 16 points and it appeared the upset might just happen. This led to all out attack from Riverina who then kicked 3 straight goals, the final one at the 23 minute mark, to take the lead for the first time since the start of the second quarter. The tired legs of the Sydney side could not do any more as Riverina had score a come from behinf 5 point victory.
It was a brilliant effort by the Sydney side who were not given a hope before the game and battled bravely with a depleted bench. While the Sydney side should be extremely proud of their efforts on the day it could well be the one that got away.
AFL Sydney has brilliant performers all around the ground however the Best on Ground award for Sydney went to Anthony Robertson who took the dangerous opposition captain Guy Orton completely out of the game.
Riverina FNL 5.3, 7.3, 10.6, 14.10 (94) AFL Sydney Development Squad 3.4, 9.7, 10.9, 13.11 (89)
GOALS,
Riverina FNL : M. Geppert 3, L. Roberts 2, C. Gordon 2, M. Stephenson 1, J. Maddox 1, J. Kotzur 1, J. Rice 1, J. Olsson 1, C. Steele 1, G. Orton 1
AFL Sydney Development Squad : T. Cummins 2, P. Green 2, J. Zoppo 2, P. Sain 2, M. Thomas 1, J. Pidgeon 1, J. Pascoe 1, C. Kennedy 1, J. Ayling 1
BEST,
Riverina FNL : J. Rice, J. Kotzur, J. Maddox, S. Flanigan, C. Steele, M. Stephenson
AFL Sydney Development Squad : A. Robertson, B. Guthrie, T. Cummins, J. Pascoe, S. Brierty, H. Koch
Last Modified on 21/06/2013 12:47
