Saturday the 6th of may marked the first round of competition in the 2017 Stockholm Australian Football Federation Premiership.
Game 1 saw the Solna Axemen take on the Årsta Swans. Solna boosted by the recruitment of key Bromma players and a rejuvinated leadership group amassed 19 players for the game which was played 10 on 10. Årsta having been stricken with a pre-season injury curse could only muster 12 but put their best foot forward early in the first quarter.
Swans full forward Glenn McLeod returned from parenting duties which saw him miss the entire 2016 season and was an early factor on the scoreboard. As was goal umpire Rob Scott who managed to twist and ankle on the first score of the day and effectively put his 2017 goal umpiring season on hold.
By half time new Axemen recruits Tim Gould and Tim Croker were combining perfectly with veterans Oscar Magnusson and Rickard "Bambi" Barrefelt and Solna were up on the scorecard by a few goals.
The game was fast paced with end to end action which in the end proved too difficult for the smaller Swans playing group and Solna ran out winners 82-46.
Game 2 of the day was a 2016 grand final replay as Södermalm Blues and Norrtälje Dockers faced off. Again played at 10 a side, the first half was an armwrestle with the team running with the wind having the slight advantage through the first two quarters. The Dockers took the lead into the main break 37-32.
By the third quarter the Dockers with 4 players making their SAFF debut, started to pick up the pace and finished fast in the 4th over a tiring Södermalm outfit. Second year player Robin Åberg took his first 4 goal haul whilst new Irish recruit Tom Healy scored a goal in his first hitout for the club. The Blues spiritual leader Michael Larsson tried to rally the troops late and some great efforts from Lars Hagberg in the backline prevented two late goals but the game was already decided with the Dockers taking the chocolates 98-59.
Round two is this coming saturday 13th may at Skarpnäck (J.C.G) starting at 12pm with Södermalm taking on Solna. The Swans then meet the Dockers at 1:30pm.
Last Modified on 10/05/2017 15:53