AFL SYDNEY WEEK 4 FINALS REVIEW
Written by David Redden
In the Under 19.5 Division One Grand Final between Manly Warringah and Sydney University at BISP on Saturday, a strong third quarter from the Wolves set up a tough 13-point victory. Final scores were Manly Warringah 6.7.43 to Sydney University 4.6.30.
Manly led by 4 points at the main break, then kicked 2 goals to 1 point in the third quarter to set up their well-deserved premiership. Louis Jans kicked 2 goals for the Wolves, whilst Toby Ryan kicked 2 goals for the Students.
The Wolves’ William Jenkin was named best on ground after an excellent performance in the midfield.
In the Division One Men’s Grand Final on Saturday at BISP, North Shore showed that they had learnt their lesson, kicking much straighter than in the major semifinal in running out 23-point victors over a gallant Parramatta outfit. Final scores were North Shore 10.6.66 to Parramatta 6.7.43.
Parramatta produced an excellent first half to lead by 13 points at the main break, but then North Shore kicks 7 goals to 1 in the second half in a very convincing performance from a side deep with Premier Division experience.
Best on ground Medallist Kieran Fulton kicked 6 of North Shore’s 10 goals in a superb display. Egan Bradbury kicked 3 goals for Parramatta. Veteran Parramatta midfielder Jack Dimery picked up a leg injury in during the game that hampered Parramatta in the midfield, whilst the Bombers kept key Goannas backman Jerome Lawrence relatively quiet across the 4 quarters.
In a thrilling Women’s Premier Division Grand Final on Saturday at BISP, North Shore’s defensive prowess came to the fore as they kept Sydney University goalless in the final term in taking out an historic first-ever premiership by 10 points. Final scores were North Shore 5.4.34 to Sydney University 3.6.24.
North Shore jumped out of the blocks to lead by 2 goals at quarter time, but this experienced and determined Sydney Uni outfit levelled the scores at half time. North Shore kick 3 goals to 1 in the second half as the ground their way to victory in a superb Grand Final.
North Shore’s Forward/Ruck Grace Parsons was the only multiple goal kicker in the game, kicking 2 goals. Rover Lucy Yates received the Deborah Morton trophy as best player on the ground. Other than Yates, North Shore’s best players were Amelia Rainbow, backline spearhead Zoe Hurrell, Keira Yerbury, Charlotte Tidemann, and Heidi De Saxe. Former Mostyn Medallist Maryanne Harley was outstanding for Sydney Uni, with the Students having a brilliant final series, coming from 3rd to fall just short in the Grand Final.
North Shore went back-to-back in the Men’s Premier Division Grand Final on Saturday at BISP, producing 9 second half goals to 3 to eventually run out 39-point winners over Manly Warringah. Final scores were North Shore 14.5.89 to Manly Warringah 7.8.50.
This Grand Final was anyone’s at half time. Late first half goals to Manly’s Trent Dennis-Lane and Byron Laes meant the margin at half time was a mere 3 points to the Bombers. North Shore snuck away to a 20-point lead at three quarter time and then poured on 7 goals in an entertaining final quarter to clinch consecutive premierships.
Once again, North Shore’s experienced back line, anchored by Jake Veale and Christian Loone, were pivotal in this victory. Fellow backman Harry Walker had one of the best games in his career pull stop continually repelling Manly’s forward advances. The Bombers kept veteran manly forward duo Trent Dennis-Lane and Cameron Manuel to 3 goals between them, after the two forwards combined for 5 goals against the Bulldogs in the preliminary final.
Key forward Thomas Giles highlighted his immense improvement, kicking 4goals in an outstanding display out of the goal square. Nick Pavlou, James Tidemann (who shadowed Travis Schiller effectively in the second half) and Matthew Wilson all chipped in with 2 goals each as North Shore once again shared the goal kicking load. Dennis-Lane kicked two goals for Manly Warringah, as the Wolves, after a good finals campaign, had few answers in the second half to a Bombers outfit clearly revitalised by their week’s break.
Fraser Thurlow won his second consecutive Rod Podbury Medal as the best player on the ground. Other bombers to shine were Tidemann, the outstanding Walker, dual Phelan Medallist Ned Campbell, Pavlou, Gillis, and Thomas Drum, who worked in tandem with Thurlow in the ruck. Veteran Manly ruckman Antony Forato was outstanding for the Wolves, clearly winning the right contest throughout the match. Manly was also well served by Mac Allen, Sam McMeeken, Cooper McLennan, and Schiller.
