Inverell put on a perfect day for the 2009 Country Energy Tamworth AFL Grand Final. Clear skies, 25 degrees with just a hint of a breeze.
As expect the first quarter started slowly with each team trying to get the upper hand. It took until the 4th minute before the first score was posted, a goal to Swans forward Mitch Firth. The Saints then hit back with 2 quick goals, 1 each to Mick Corcoran and Peter Heath. After the Saints had kicked a behind the Swans Gavin Knee kicked his first goal of the day. This still meant that the Swans were down by a point and both clubs then traded behinds. A spearing pass out of the centre of the ground found a fast leading Mick Viney and he converted his only goal of the day for the saints. Again we saw both clubs trading behinds before the Swans Gavin Knee got his second goal with just 30 seconds left o the clock. This closed out the quarter with the Saints leading by the narrowest margin of all, 1 point.
The second quarter also started slowly on the score board with neither team willing to give the other an easy chance at goal. The Swans Jason Darcy broke the deadlock at the 5 minute mark with his first goal of the game. As is the case with tough games the next scoring shots was a rushed behind to both teams. After another behind to the Swans there young star Mitch Firth then kicked his second goal of the game. It took until the 15 minute mark of the quarter for the Saints to get its first goal courtesy of the experienced boot of Dick Gleeson. The Swans then took back control of the quarter only allowing the Saints 1 more behind for the quarter, while kicking 2 goals, 1 behind themselves. The goals were kicked by Gavin Knee, his third, and Simon Freer, his only goal of the game. This is the quarter that set up the Swans win. They controlled the mid field and by doing this restricted the Saints forwards opportunities. The Swans took a healthy 19 point lead into the long break.
The Saints, as expected, came out after the long break showing a lot more endeavour and started the third quarter with a quick goal at the 2 minute mark to Beau Ryan. They then saw another opportunity go begging with a behind kicked one and a half minutes later that should have been a goal. Then as they thrust forward again the Swans managed to rush a behind to the Saints. It took until the 8th minute for the Swans to kick their first of the quarter by Gavin Knee, his 4th, who was having the game of his life. The Swans then wrestled the back the ascendacy but couldn't convert kicking 2 behinds before the Saints Joe Kimmince kicked his only goal of the day. The Swans Richard Green then answered that goal with his only goal 1 minute later. After another behind each way the Swans Gavin Knee then kicked his 5th goal of the game. The Saints Keiran Te Velde quickly answered this goal before the Swans kicked another behind with just seconds left on the clock. For all of the Saints early dominance of the quarter they actually lost the quarter by 2 points to go into the last break down by 21 points.
As the Saints never say die attitude came through at the start of the last quarter they absolutely peppered the goals and controlled the game out of the centre. But after several behinds it took until the five and a half minute mark for them to score their first goal from the boot of Coach Peter Heath. This was quickly followed by a goal to Beau and Ryan and all of a sudden the Saints had a heart beat. The Saints at just 6 points down and seemingly in control of the game let the Swans slip into their forward line to kick a goal by Jason Darcy. This was at the 8 minute mark and was the first time the Swans had been past the centre of the ground for the quarter. They followed this up 2 minutes later with Mitch Firth kicking his 3rd goal of the day. At the half way mark of the quarter the Saints again took control of the game and could have won it right here. But unfortunately for them only Fraser Hughes and Dick Gleeson were able to convert their shots at goal. But with only 5 minutes to go the Saints were just 4 points down then big Jason Darcy stood up for the Swans kicking his 3rd goal and giving them a little breathing space. The last five minutes of the year then became a dire struggle with the Swans throwing everything into defending their lead and the Saints just as keenly throwing everything into trying to win the game. The final score of the game was a Saint behind with just 30 seconds to go giving the Swans a win by 9 points.
Both teams put on a great exhibition of Aussie Rules football for the 1500 strong crowd. The winner of the Graham Nuttal Mug, best player in the grand final, was the Swans Gavin Knee. Unfortunately Graham couldn't be there due to work commitments but had his good mate Kevin Pay present the mug on his behalf. The judges votes showed Knee was a clear winner with his 5 goals playing in the centre and his tireless work in not only driving the Swans forward in the first 3 quarters but his excellent defence in the last quarter. Well done Gavin.
Last Modified on 13/09/2009 09:57