After a horror fortnight in which Auburn were handed back to back defeats, our baby GIANTS have lead us to victory against the second placed UTS Shamrocks at Spotless Stadium.
Both teams were playing for the Unity Cup in what is an annual match between Auburn and UTS played in the AFL's Multicultural Round. UTS has won the Cup every year since the match was first held in 2012, and started the match hot favourites after dominating in their previous two matches with winning margins of over 100 points.
The first quarter was all Auburn, with the football in the GIANTS forward 50 (renamed 'khamsoon' for Multicultural Round) for over 15 minutes. However, pressure on the ball didn't lead to much on the board, and Auburn took a 1.1.7 - 0.0.0 lead into the first break.
The second stanza was a different game, as UTS looked more like the side that had over 30 scoring shots a game for the previous fornight, having 5 scores to 0 to lead Auburn 1.1.7-3.2.20 at the main break. Mona Issa was given some special advice from midfield coach, Joshua Kunde, and commited to improving her control of the middle.
The GIANTS came out firing in the third quarter. The captain for the game, Angela Priftis lead the way, with Haneen Zreika dominating the contests and Amne Issa holding the halfback line. Inspired by the three baby GIANTS, Auburn kicked 2.1 for the quarter and held UTS scoreless to tie things up at 20-all going into the final quarter.
Haneen lifted to another level in the fourth quarter, determined to take the ball inside 50 to regain the lead. Within a few minutes she had blitzed the UTS half back line and with a graceful running shot at goal had kicked Auburn to the lead for the first time since quarter time.
Time was running out for the Shamrocks, and with nearly a half of football since their last scoring shot the writing was on the wall. They managed only one more score, a behind, with the final two goals of the match going to the GIANTS, as Maddy Broughtwood and Jess Paulic put the icing on the cake.
"It was wonderful to be able to turn around the results from the last two weeks and have our first ever come from behind win, first win against UTS and first Unity Cup win", said Yashar Kammoun.
"Angela, Haneen and Amne were amazing. They lifted us all when most of us expected the game to be a cakewalk for UTS".
The result sees the GIANTS return to the top of the ladder. With one game to go in the home and away season, focus now shifts to next week's match against Manly with the team pushing for its first Minor Premiership.
Auburn GIANTS 6.2 (38) defeated UTS Shamrocks 3.3 (21).
Best: A. Priftis, H. Zreika, A. Issa, K. Boyd, H. Ajaj, N. Mohamad.
Last Modified on 10/08/2015 20:44