2008 Manpower AFL Mackay Grand Final
Seniors:
North Mackay
4.6 14.8 19.10 25.17 (167)
Best Players:
Team Effort
Goal Kickers:
7 S Brown; 5 J Price, P Farrant; 4 C Dowdell; 1 C Jenkins, M Fraser, J Gallager, C Dunbar
Defeated
Eastern Swans
2.2 4.7 6.9 8.11 (59)
Best Players:
No information supplied
Goal Kickers:
3 C Teske; 2 N Horsfall; 1 M Sondergeld, T Moon, T Bailey
Reserves:
North Mackay
5.2 6.5 9.9 12.9 (81)
Best Players:
No information provided
Goal Kickers:
3 D Clarke, S Dunbar; 2 J Smith; 1 A Stewart, R Ackerley, M Sealey, C McBride
Defeated
Mackay City
1.1 3.4 4.7 8.7 (55)
Best Players:
No Information provided
Goal Kickers:
3 S Kennedy; 2 J Broomhall, J Swann; 1 D Petterwood
The North Mackay Saints claimed back-to-back premierships in convincing fashion, smashing the Eastern Swans by 108 points in last weekend’s Manpower AFL Mackay Grand Final.
The Saints started in style, with three-time MJ Miller best player Jon Price drawing first blood in the opening minutes. Scott Brown chimed in moments later, kicking three of his seven goals for the match to set up a 21 point lead before the Swans troubled the scorer.
The Swans fought back bravely at the end of the quarter, with Carle Teske slotting two goals to narrow the deficit, and stay within reach of the lead.
The second quarter tore the heart out of the Swans, as North Mackay embarked on a ten goal scoring spree to take the game out of the Swan’s reach. Sam Bilal and Peter Farrant stood tall for the match, with Farrant unlucky not to be judged best-on-ground, taking impressive aerial marks and controlled kicking to seal victory for the Saints.
Matt Sondergeld impressed for the Swans, along with Nathan Horsfall and Adam McGaffin using the football well in the face of adversity.
The move by AFL Mackay to play the Grand Final at Bakers Creek paid off, with a tremendous atmosphere around the ground, and one of the largest crowds in recent years in attendance to watch the Saints claim their 8th premiership flag.
Departing captain Jon Price paid tribute to his teammates and the opposing team, with coach Darren Gwynne, widely thought to be in his last year at the helm of the Saints, indicating he may remain on the scene next season. With the loss of several key players from the team, the Saints will undergo a re-building phase, but should still remain the front-runners for 2009.
North Mackay 4.6, 14.8, 19.10, 25.17 (167) def Eastern Swans 2.2, 4.7, 6.9, 8.11 (59)
In the reserve grade, North Mackay made it a double act by winning their match against minor premiers Mackay City.
The first quarter set the tone for the match, as North Mackay ran out to an early four goal lead. Subsequent send-offs for undisciplined play reduced the Hawk’s field numbers for the majority of the match, however North Mackay could not capitalise on the extra field position, and were matched by Mackay City for the remainder of the match to finish four goals ahead.
North Mackay 5.2, 6.5, 9.9, 12.9 (81) def Mackay City 1.1, 3.4, 4.7, 8.7 (55)
Last Modified on 16/01/2009 16:00