NORTH SHORE PREMIERS IN 2007
Monday, 17 September 2007
North Shore won their third grand final in four years on Saturday defeating the St George Crows in the 2007 Foxtel Sydney AFL Grand Final at Henson Park. In what was a great day for the North Shore club, the undefeated North Shore Wildcats overcame a slow start to defeat the Pennant Hills Demons to take home the 2007 Under 18 Premier Cup flag earlier in the day.
Seniors Grand Final
The game promised to be a tight contest from the opening bounce and the first quarter showed that both sides were desperate to prevail on the day. St George had the early running but North Shore fought back to go into the quarter time break only down by 3 points. Young Under 18 ruckman Patrick Brackin was holding his own in against more experienced opposition and the on ball brigade of Adam Lord, Dale Fitzgerald, Jarrod Crosby and Ben Attwood were working hard at the bottom of the packs.
Kicking with a slight wind in the second quarter, North Shore opened up a slight lead but could not break the St George shackles. A pivotal moment of the game occurred in the 2nd quarter when North Shore captain Mark Livy was targeted by a St George player who was subsequently sent off for the rest of the game. Livy returned to the field after half time battered and bruised but inspired to lead his team to victory in the second half.
In the third term St George staged a fight back but missed several key scoring opportunities that would have seen them take the lead. The "back 6" of Brendan Fitzgerald, Ryan Meldrum, Chris Murphy, Ron Wason, Mark Livy and Ryan Davis were once again outstanding for North Shore limiting the scoring opportunities for the St George forwards.
In the last it was a determined North Shore that took the field, a side that didn't want to let this opportunity slip. In the last, St George only managed another 2 points for the quarter and North Shore kicked another 2 goals to take home the premiership cup to Gore Hill. In the last, the North Shore forwards in Chris McLachlan, Michael Sawyer and Tom Hill showed their class to secure North Shore's 13th senior premiership. Best on ground and the winner of the Rod Podbury medal was North Shore youngster Ryan Davis.
The final scores from the Grand Final:
North Shore Bombers 12.15 (87) def St George Crows 9.12 (66)
Goalkickers: Chris McLachlan 3, Michael Sawyer 2, Tom Hill 2, Matthew Parker, Anthony Lowes, Brent Barnes, Michael Cowell, Ryan Meldrum
Best Players: Ryan Davis, Dale Fitzgerald, Brendan Fitzgerald, Adam Lord, Ron Wason, Chris McLachlan, Ryan Meldrum
Under 18 Premier Cup Grand Final
The North Shore Wildcats capped off a remarkable season on Saturday winning the Under 18 Premier Cup Grand Final against Pennant Hills. Despite going through the season undefeated, the Wildcats new they were in for a tough contest as they had just got home by 10 points against Pennant Hills in the second semi-final.
In the first quarter, Pennant Hills got the jump on the Wildcats kicking 3 goals and keeping the Wildcats scoreless. Whilst it wasn't time to hit the panic button, the Wildcats needed to start playing their natural game to get back into the contest. And get back they did in the second, clawing back to be within 14 points of Pennant Hills at half time mainly due to the good work of Nick Clark, Adrian Harry and Jack Lawson down back.
In the third, the Wildcats slipped into gear and Max Wilson took control of the ruck. The Wildcats on ballers in Brydon Coles and James Costi were getting first to the ball providing more scoring opportunities to the forwards in Angus Scott, Ben Seymour and Mitch Thompson. At the 3 quarter time break the Wildcats were up by 3 points and looked to have all the running.
In the last the Wildcats saved their best football until last to kick 5 goals and put the result in no doubt. It was a great performance from all of the boys, in particular Adrian Harry who was judged best on ground for the game.
The final scores from the U18 Grand Final:
North Shore Wildcats 10.11 (71) def Pennant Hills 5.7 (37)
Goalkickers: Angus Scott 2, Ben Seymour 2, Mitch Thompson 2, Max Wilson, Jack Caspersonn, Luke Redman, Angus Buncle
Best Players: Adrian Harry, Nick Clark, Jack Lawson, Mitch Thompson, Ben Seymour, Max Wilson
Presentation Night
The 2007 Presentation Night is to be held at the North Sydney Leagues Club on Saturday 6th October commencing at 7:00pm. More details will be provided very soon!
Last Modified on 27/04/2008 12:51