SYDNEY AFL PRELIMINARY FINAL 2013
Article and Prelim Final Photos by Michael Shillito
The stakes were high at Blacktown International Sportspark on Sunday. A spot in the Grand Final was on the line.
St George, after a win over North Shore in the Qualifying Final and a loss to Manly in the Second Semi Final, were up against Pennant Hills. The Demons had got there with wins over UNSW-ES in the Elimination Final and then a heart-stopping win over North Shore in the First Semi.
The ground surface at Blacktown was in good condition, and despite an adverse weather forecast, the rain stayed away; although a swirling breeze could sometimes make conditions tricky.
The first half never reached any great heights, although there were some highlights. A blistering run with several bounces by St George livewire Daniel Cox late in the first quarter was worthy of note; while St George forward Paul Sain pulled down a speckie in the goalsquare and goaled to level the scores at quarter time.
But at the other end, the Demons were efficiently getting the job done. Scores were tied up at the first change, but the Demons took the upper hand during the second term. A smother to prevent Luke Bilbe from scoring came unstuck when the crumbs spilled to Damian Dell’Aquila, who snapped truly. A free kick in front gifted Nick Campbell a goal, and when a running Tim Wales bounced and dribbled the ball through, the Demons had opened a 13-point lead. Nathan Kenny’s attempt to get a goal back on the half time siren just failed when the kick was touched on the line.
The Demons led by 12 points at half time. But the real drama was still to come. The intensity picked up after half time, and the third quarter would be an absorbing tale of twists and turns.
Five minutes into the third term, it looked like the Demons had a match-winning lead and were headed for a big win. A free to Aaron Crisfield and a mark by Luke Bilbe had resulted in goals; the Demons 26 points ahead, momentum running their way.
St George looked gone, but ten minutes later they were in front. A chip kick by Alex Wynn found an unattended Blake Guthrie, who got the first goal back. Stephen Wilsen made space to add another. Mid-season recruit Dominic Killworth stood his ground to mark and goal; and when Paul Sain pulled down another strong mark, suddenly the margin was back to one point.
The Dragons had lifted, and the Demons were looking vulnerable. Daniel Cox again entertained the crowd with another run down the wing. Paul Sain wasn’t paid a mark that he looked to have taken, but a minute later Cox found himself on the forward line to rove a marking contest and put the Dragons in front.
Five goals in a row had gone to the Dragons, the imposing deficit had been turned into a lead. The Dragons had been breathing fire, putting the Demons under pressure. But as the clock ticked past the 20 minute mark, the momentum would change again as a pinpoint pass by Matthew Vile found Ranga Ediriwickrama 15 minutes out.
Veteran Demon Alistair Richardson stood tall to mark and add another. Then Luke Bilbe gathered the ball, but being forced out wide by the Dragon defenders, fired off a handball to Ediriwickrama who was running unmarked towards goal.
For all the work the Dragons had done, their five-goal run to take the lead, the Demons had won the quarter. Tempers flared as the siren sounded for three-quarter time; but it was the Demons who had the 14-point edge. And when Ranga Ediriwickrama scored the first goal of the final term, the Demons again looked to have a match-winning lead.
But the Dragons still had a pulse, and this game wasn’t over yet. From the bounce, Alex Wynn charged forward with the ball, pumping it to the forward line; and although Paul Sain was unable to mark, a second effort saw the goal go through. Blake Guthrie landed a torp from in front of the scoreboard, and the Nick Ryan stood tall to mark and goal. Suddenly the margin was back to five points, and for the second time in as many quarters a Demon lead looked like evaporating.
This time, the Dragons were unable to take the lead. Instead, it would be Luke Bilbe who would score the next goal, giving the Demons breathing space. And a moment later, Ediriwickrama curled his shot in the breeze, punching the air as his shot sailed between the big sticks.
The floodlights were taking over, as the sun was setting on St George’ season. The Dragons had thrown everything they had at this game, twice pulling in big leads. But there would be no third comeback, and the Demons played out the match to make their way into Sydney footy’s biggest stage.
The final margin was 21 points. Ranga Ediriwickrama finished with four goals; while James Dunn, Damian Dell’Aquila and Kieran Wright had been the Demons’ best. Daniel Cox, Jordan West and David Lycakis has been worthy contributors all day to the Dragon cause.
The Second Semi-Final Curse had struck again. For the 10th time in 11 seasons, the team that lost the Second Semi had gone down again in the Preliminary Final. The only one to have bounced back in the Prelim was Balmain in 2011, who fell over the line by a kick against Sydney Uni.
The Demons sang the song in the rooms after the game, but celebrations were subdued. The job isn’t done yet.
Waiting for them is Manly. The Wolves have surpassed all expectations to make the Grand Final in their debut season in Premier Division. But there is one more challenge, one more mountain to climb, before they can claim the perfect debut season.
Will Manly complete the fairytale first year in the top flight? Or will the Demons, who have climbed this mountain before, take the spoils? All will be revealed at Blacktown next Saturday, in what is sure to be a memorable Grand Final.
Pennant Hills 2.4 5.7 10.10 15.13 (103)
St George 2.4 3.7 8.8 12.10 (82)
Goals : Pennant Hills – R Ediriwickrama 4, A Crisfield 2, M Vile 2, L Bilbe 2, B Unwin, T Wales, A Richardson, N Campbell, D Dell’Aquila. St George – N Ryan 3, P Sain 3, D Killworth, J Mudge, A Wynn, J Saddington, B Guthrie, D Cox.
Best : Pennant Hills – J Dunn, D Dell’Aquila, K Wright, T Wales, R Ediriwickrama, T Widmer. St George – D Cox, J West, D Lycakis, B Guthrie, D Ryan, M Milner.
At Blacktown International Sportspark, Sunday 15th September 2013.
