Article and Premier Division Photos by Michael Shillito
With East Coast Eagles’ spot in the Grand Final already secure, Pennant Hills and St George played off for the right to take on the Eagles; the third year in a row that the Demons and Dragons have been Preliminary Final opponents.
Sunday afternoon’s Preliminary Final at Henson Park started under overcast skies, but before too long the sun would emerge from the clouds. Conditions were good for footy, with no wind of any significance. And it would be a tale of fluctuating fortunes that would remain in the balance until the final siren.
Pennant Hills, third after the home and away season, had got there with a win against Manly in the Qualifying Final before narrowly going down to East Coast in the Second Semi. For St George, it was their third sudden death final on the trot, having beaten Sydney Uni and Manly so far during the playoffs.
St George hit the ground running, with the Dragons piling on the pressure early. They were on the scoreboard in the opening minute, and would maintain the lead throughout the first quarter. At times their enthusiasm would get the better of them, and Jackson Okunbor found himself banished to the sin bin for 15 minutes. But for the most part it was a team turning on their pace and creating opportunities.
Paul Sain provided a highlight as he flew high above a pack to pull down one of the most spectacular marks to be seen in Sydney footy. But although the Dragons were doing the pace-making and remained in front through the first quarter, the Demons were never far behind. After a quarter of three goals to two, the Dragons held a five-point lead at quarter time.
The momentum of the game would resemble a pendulum during the second quarter. Seven goals were scored during the term, four by the Demons, three by the Dragons; and every one of them would see the lead change. Both sides were trying to be positive without compromising their defence; but both would let themselves down with some silly turnovers and giving away some frees that they shouldn’t.
But James Dunn’s goal for Pennant Hills, the Demons’ fourth for the quarter, came through a split-second before the final and saw the Demons come into the rooms at half time with a five point lead.
The third quarter started in confusion, with two umpires awarding free kicks in different directions before the ball was bounced. But it was the free kick to the Demons in the centre that prevailed, and they would get first use of the footy.
Luke Bilbe on the lead would add to the Demons’ lead with the first goal of the third term. But when it looked like the Demons were set to get on top, the Dragons would fight back. Jake Brown kick-started the revival, losing his footing but regaining it before a clever snap around the corner to goal; and when Taylor Preece marked strongly 25 metres from home at the 10 minute mark, the Dragons were back in front.
Preece was in form up forward, and a rather spectacular mark and goal sent the vocal St George contingent in front of the eastern hill into full voice. The Dragons were eight points ahead. But there would be more twists in this tale.
The Demons would get back to one point behind. Michael Talbot was surrounded, but an overhead handball managed to find its target and Connor Owen-Auburn ran through to score. A minute later, Luke Bilbe led and marked, and the Demons were back in front.
It had been relatively free-flowing footy; not as many ball-ups and congested packs as what it often seen. Although not all opportunities to create scoring shots were taken, it was certainly possible to string some scores together. And with just six points separating the sides at the last change, the game was in the balance. And with a Grand Final berth on offer, the stakes were high.
As the final quarter started, the game was there to be one. And the Demons struck an important blow early, as Luke Bilbe shrugged off two tackles before going short to find Damian Dell’Aquila for the first goal of the last term. But the Dragons had a quick reply, with David Lycakis putting his body on the line to force a turnover and find Taylor Preece for his third. And at the 10 minute mark, Nick Shaw on the run gave the Dragons the lead. 
This was a game of shifting fortunes, and now it was Pennant Hills’ turn to apply some scoreboard pressure. But they radar was deserting them, and the next five scoring shots would be Demon behinds. It was enough to turn the two-point deficit into a three-point lead; but far too tight for comfort. Tension was mounting, nerves building among the faithful fans as the minutes ticked by.
But weight of possession and getting the ball forward would eventually take its toll as Tom Angel landed a long bomb from 50 metres out. The minutes were ticking by, the clock into time-on; and when Michael Talbot forced a holding-the-ball free and converted the free kick, the Demons were 15 points to the good.
The clock had passed 26 minutes, but Dean Gilbert threw the Dragons a lifeline when he kicked truly when getting a free on a tight angle. The Dragons got the centre break, Paul Sain marked 15 metres out and kicked truly. Suddenly the margin was back to three points. Could the Dragons get one more and complete the miracle?
The Dragons got the tap-out, and moved it out of the centre. But Stephen Wray saved the day for the Demons, lunging himself into a tackle that brought down Jordan West. Holding the ball was paid, and the chance was gone. Had West got his kick forward, the Dragon forwards were ready. But Wray’s aerobic feat of throwing himself at West and preventing him from getting the kick away would be the difference between the two sides.
The siren sounded, and the Demons were home by three points. Relief for the Demons, and their reward is a place in the Grand Final. Luke Bilbe kicked four goals in a best-on-ground performance, while Sam Widmer and Damian Dell’Aquila also featured prominently for the Demons.
For St George, Ben Jones, Taylor Preece and Tim Coenen worked hard all day. But it was a heart-breaking loss for the Dragons; the third year in a row that the Demons had ended their Grand Final hopes at the last hurdle.
And so the season comes down to one more game. East Coast Eagles taking on Pennant Hills Demons. 
The Eagles will be the hottest of favourites. A host of star-power, many of them dropping down from their NEAFL team of recent seasons. Minor premiers, having only dropped one game all year. Well rested, having only been called into action once during the finals.
But Pennant Hills will only need to cast their mind back to 2006 for inspiration. The Eagles had been undefeated until Grand Final day. But on the big day, the heavens opened and the Demons surfed the tide in the final term to run over the Eagles. Will history repeat?
Last Modified on 21/09/2015 14:13
