Black Diamond AFL have come back from a slow start to defeat the AFL Sydney Under 23's by 48 points at Newcastle.
With the sun shining and the ground looking fantastic, it was perfect conditions for representative football. After trailing at quarter time, Black Diamond controlled most of the play to run out eventual winners 17.11 to 10.5.
The boys from Sydney started the game on fire, kicking the first five goals of the quarter, with their quick ball movement and run out of defence being on full display and went into the first break with a 23 point lead.
Kicking with the wind in the second quarter, Black Diamond fought back hard winning more of the ball around the ground and giving their forwards quality service. Tom Head was looking very dangerous for the Black Diamond side marking everything coming his way and having multiple shots on goal. At half time. the AFL Sydney margin had been reduced to 8 points.
The Sydney boys were looking to increase their lead while kicking with the wind in the third quarter. Ten minutes pasted without a goal being scored with both teams applying plenty of pressure to the ball handler and locking the ball in for numerous stoppages. It wasn't until Mitch Betson took a contested mark for the Black Diamond side and slotted it from 45 out that the game opened up with the Black Diamond team kicking the next four goals whilst keeping the Sydney boys to 2 points in the quarter and open up a 21 point lead.
Both coaches pleaded to their players for one last big effort to will their side over the line. Black Diamond kicked the first goal of the quarter before Matt Young and Levi Sands kicked consecutive for Sydney, closed the margin to 15 points but that was the closest they got, with Black Diamond kicking the next five goals to run out winners.
Head finished with four goals and best on ground honours whilst Jacob Daws was an imposing force in the ruck giving his midfielders in James Webster and Simon O'Brien. Skipper Liam Gibson and Andrew Willmot provided run and carry around the ground.
For the Sydney side. Harry Green was brilliant all day diving into packs winning the hard ball as well as delivering to the forwards and was awarded the best player for Sydney. Nathan Bosschieter, David Johnson and Josh Cass provided run out of the backline whilst Matt Lemme did his best to control the key forwards for the Black Diamond. Evan Smith provided a strong target all day and finished with two goals.
Thank you to all players and officials who put in the hard work for the representaitve program.
Black Diamond AFL 2.4 6.7 11.8 17.11 (113)
AFLSydney U23s. 6.3 8.3 8.5 10.5 (65)
Goals:
BDAFL: Head 4, Gibson 2, J.Lewis 2, P.Van Dam 2, M.Betson 2, S.O'Brien 1, C.Knight 1, B.Erickson 1, Z.Metcalfe 1, N.Vaisey
AFLSydney U23s: E.Smith 2, J.Pidgeon 1, M. Young 1, H.Green 1, D.Killworth 1, W.Blackburne 1, L.Sands 1, H.Washington 1, T.Widmer
Best:
BDAFL: T.Head, S.O'Brien, J.Dawes, J.Webster, P.VanDam, A.Willmot
AFL Sydney: H.Green, N.Bosscheiter, D.Johnson, E.Smith, M.Lemme, J.Cass
Last Modified on 07/06/2014 21:37
