After losing the Women's clash against AFL Canberra, the Men exacted revenge in the afternoon with a narrow win against the same opposition.
On a beautiful day with little wind at Blacktown International Sports Park, the Women started proceedings.
Sydney started well but from there on in it was all Canberra as their appetite for the contest was overwhelming for the local girls.
With both sides decimated due to around 20 first-choice players being selected in the NSW/ACT side to take on Victoria on Sunday at Punt Road Oval, it was Canberra who ultimately coped better as they eased home to a 38 point win.
The news wasn't any better for the Sydney/Canberra NEAFL Under 22s as Black Diamond's experience and teamwork shone through as the contest progressed.
The Under 22 side had the better of the early stages as their spread and skill looked like it might overcome the northerner's, especially with Black Diamond finishing without a bench due to injury.
It was a brave effort from Black Diamond as they held off a late charge to finish 52 point victors.
The main clash lived up to the billing between AFL Sydney and AFL Canberra Mens.
Canberra proved a stronger outfit than the side that lost convincingly to the same opposition at home last year.
However, it didnt look that way early as the blue tsunami were totally dominant and around the contest with Brayden Fowler kicking five first-half goals (finished with six). Damian Bonney was also profilic in the middle.
Canberra mounted a surging comeback in the third and early in the fourth quarter, as AFL Sydney who haven't played competitive football for over a fortnight looked to be out on their feet.
The class of Andrew McConnell (five goals) who was adjudged Best on Ground shone through when the match was on the line. His combination with Trent Stubbs was telling in the final result.
Andrew Browning dominated the ruck all day and Blake Guthrie showed he is starting to hit his straps after injury curtailed the first part of his season with a hard-working display in the middle.
After leading by 28 at the main break, Sydney were somewhat lucky to hold on by 12 points. Highlights included great flying marks by Fulford (Canberra) and James Brain (Manly) on the outer wing deep in the contest.
It was AFL Sydney's first back-to-back win in representative circles for the Men since 1997-98.
AFL Sydney Men's 2.4, 9.6, 12.9, 15.14 (104)
AFL Canberra Men's 2.3, 4.8, 8.11, 13.14 (92)
GOALS,
AFL Sydney Men's : B. Fowler 6, A. McConnell 5, T. Stubbs 3, M. Carey 1
AFL Canberra Men's : C. York 3, B. Fruend 3, D. Biermann 2, J. Hiep 1, J. Hancock 1, S. Fisher 1, S. Wilkinson 1, D. Smith 1
BEST,
AFL Sydney Men's : B. Fowler, B. Guthrie, J. Brain, A. McConnell, T. Stubbs, A. Browning
AFL Canberra Men's : J. Bennett, B. Fulford, J. Baker, C. Robinson, J. Hancock, M. Boak
Last Modified on 11/06/2015 15:26
