Grand Final Review – Under 19s Division Two
Written by Michael Shillito
It’s been an unusual season, but we’re thankful to have got on the field at all. And at the end of the season, there’s some premiership titles to aim for; and the first one to be decided was the Under 19s Division Two competition. An early start in the blustery wind at Rosedale, as Southern Power took on Sydney Uni.
The Power had been the dominant team in this division in 2020, dropping just one game in the regular season and following it up with a comfortable 40-point win over the Goannas in the Semi Final. The Students were second after the home and away season, and had a 42-point win over North Shore in their Semi Final to make it through to the big match.
Josh Moors got the Power off to a flyer when he slotted one through from a tight angle. But the Students had an answering goal when Sam Scutella snapped truly. There was no shortage of endeavour on display, but the inconsistent cross-ground wind made it difficult to control the ball and the ball would frequently find itself heading out of bounds on the outer side of the ground.
The Power led by a point at quarter time, and they would quickly add to their advantage when a 50 metre penalty set up Elijah De Rieve for the Power’s second goal. But the Students weren’t going down without a fight, and Scutella’s second goal got the blue and golds to within a point of their opponents. But the Power were able to regain the upper hand with a clever snap by Noah Bailey at the 14 minute mark.
The Power had looked the stronger side, but the margin of 9 points at the long break was close enough that the Students were still in the contest. But the Power struck a critical blow in the early exchanges of the third term, when Aidan Selcraig curled a shot magnificently in the breeze for it to float through the middle.
The Power were looking in control through a scrappy third quarter, but their forwards were being well held and it was tricky to move the ball forward with any cohesion. But there was a twist in the tale as the clock ticked into time-on, when Brendan Borodyansky played on and snapped truly. Suddenly the margin was back to 11 points, and the Students were within striking distance. This contest was not over yet.
When the margin is less than two goals at the last change, there’s always the chance of a comeback result. The Power had looked the stronger side for most of the game, but the Students still had the opportunity to steal the game. As the coaches implored their charges for one last effort, the Students knew if they could get an early goal in the last, the pressure would be on and opportunity would knock.
The Students took the ball forward, and it would be inside their forward 50 for the first five minutes of the final quarter. But for all their efforts, they could only manage a behind. But when the Power went forward, Rory Cole was able to pounce on a defensive fumble and snap the goal. The pressure was off, the lead was out to 17 points, and the game had slipped beyond the Students’ grasp. Tye Gander’s goal from a set shot at the 15 minute mark was the icing on the cake.
The Power took the game by 25 points, a conclusion to a season in which they had been the dominant force in the competition. Tye Gander took out the best-on-ground award, while Elijah Derieve and Ashley Dixon also featured prominently for the Power. The Students received solid service all morning from James Gillfeather, Zac Dennis and Max Hochuli.
It had been a good fighting effort by the Students, and they can be proud of their efforts. But nothing was going to stop a red-hot Power team, who had been the standouts all season and who were worthy winners of this premiership.
Match Results
Southern Power 1.1 3.3 4.5 6.8 (44)
Sydney Uni 1.0 2.0 3.0 3.1 (19)
Goals:
Southern Power – T. Gander, R. Cole, J. Moors, N. Bailey, A. Selcraig, E. DeRieve.
Sydney Uni – S. Scutella 2, B. Borodyansky.
Best:
Southern Power – T. Gander, E. DeRieve, A. Dixon, K. Dixon, A. Selcraig, J. Bennie.
Sydney Uni – J. Gillfeather, Z. Dennis, M. Hochuli, S. Scutella, H. Hegarty, L. Trani.
At Rosedale Oval, Saturday 26th September 2020.
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